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Springfield, Ill. Sister Mary Anne Fischer, OP, a native of Park Forest, Ill., made her first profession of vows with the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, during Mass on August 3, 2003. On July 31 Sister Luma Khudher, OP, who works at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Ill., renewed her vows during solemn evening prayer. Both ceremonies took place at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel.
Sister Mary Anne, a graduated of Marian Catholic High School, will begin teaching theology at St. Thomas  Aquinas High School in Hammond, La., this fall.
Before joining the Dominicans, Sister Mary Anne worked as a pediatric nurse at Ingalls Hospital in Harvey, Ill., and then she taught theology at Lourdes High School in Chicago. She was active in her parish, St. Irenaeus in Park Forest, and was the director of religious education at St. Mary Parish, Park Forest. In 1991 she became a member of the first group of Springfield Dominican Associates. She entered the congregation three years ago. Sister Mary Anne is the daughter of Edward Fischer, Park Forest, and the late Anna May Fischer.
This celebration of my commitment to God is possible because of those who have walked with me on the way.Sister Mary Anne said. My parents planted the seed of faith in me, and that seed has been supported and nurtured throughout my life by my family and friends, and by my Dominican Sisters.
Sister Luma, who will begin her second year on the staff at Marian High School, renewed her vows during solemn evening prayer at Sacred Heart Convent here, along with another member of her congregation, Sister Rihab Mousa, who lives in Springfield. They are members of the St. Catherine of Siena Dominican congregation based in Mosul, Iraq. The sisters are in ministry with the Dominican Sisters of Springfield as a part of a collaborative effort between the Iraq and Illinois-based congregations.
Sister Mary Jean Traeger, OP, prioress general of the Springfield congregation, received the vows of all of the sisters, accepting Sister Lumas and Sister Rihabs vows as a proxy for Sister Marie Therese Hanna, OP, prioress general of the Iraq Dominican congregation.
Sister Linda Noe, OP, who served for one year on the Staff at Marian High School, and Sister Martha Carmody, OP, who teaches elementary school in Springfield, also renewed their vows during the July 31 ceremony.
August 19, 2003, is the 130th anniversary of the founding of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield. Six Dominican Sisters from the St. Catharine of Siena Congregation in Springfield, Ky., came to Jacksonville, Ill., to teach the children of Irish railroad workers. Generations later, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield continue to educate children and adults through educational, pastoral, and health care ministries.
Women interested in exploring life as a Dominican Sister may contact Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez, OP, vocation director, at 217.787.0481. |
