Precious Blood First Penance catechist Renee Shultz works closely with Sister Rosanne.
She continued teaching at Precious Blood (first of three stops at this Owensboro parish), Saint John in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, Saint Catherine in New Haven, and Saint Peter in Stanley.
It was back to Precious Blood in 1979 as principal and teacher for two years, teacher for two more years and then on to Christ the King in Madisonville as principal for two years and teacher for four years before Sister Rosanne began her parish work.
Her first parish ministry was in 1986 at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Owensboro where she served as director of religious education for 12 years before returning to Precious Blood in 1998.
“When I was a teacher at Madisonville I was also in charge of the CCD program, which is now religious ed,” Sister Rosanne recalls. “While working with that program I discovered I liked working with teachers and children and had something to offer. The pastor at Madisonville went to Lourdes and asked if I’d come there and help him in that capacity. He said he saw gifts in me that I would be good in that ministry.”
Father Brad Whistle and Sister Rosanne have been friends for over 25 years. They met while both were working at vacation bible schools in the diocese.
What are the biggest challenges she’s found since her move into parish work?
“Working with adults,” says Sister Rosanne. ‘You have to be on your toes. You can be more relaxed with kids, but with adults you have to be very, very well prepared for a class.”
“One of the highlights of my week is taking communion on Thursdays to the shut-ins. It makes me feel good to see the smiles on their faces and they enjoy even a short visit.”
Eighty-eight-year-old Fern Thompson, a native of Flora, Illinois, who moved to Owensboro six years ago to be closer to her daughter, Donna Stuerzenberger, has been a resident of Heritage Manor since last spring. Sister Rosanne brings Fern communion every Thursday and always finds time to talk with her before she leaves. What does Fern think of Sister’s visits? “Oh, goodness, they are wonderful!” she says with no hesitation. “I always look forward to the visits because we always have some good chats that I really enjoy. And I’m not the only one. I think all of the others here look forward to her visits too.”