St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care

"Love Knows No Age"
The traditional motto of St. Ann Center has been "Love knows no age." This refers of course to its unique intergenerational approach to day services for children, frail elderly and adults with disabilities.

However, it also refers just as aptly to our volunteer friends next door at St. Francis Convent and Clare Hall–the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi who are retired but by no means ready to sit back and let the world go by. They are determined to continue serving in the same spirit that has characterized their entire lives as followers of St. Francis and St. Clare.

Several of these dedicated sisters walk or drive in all kinds of weather to St. Ann's several times a week to help with tasks that make it the unique place of service and hospitality that it is for the young, old and in-between who come for day service, therapy, bathing or just a human touch.

Sr. Ancille Horgan dispenses her gentle, personal warmth in the smoothy bar loated in the new section that includes the respite center, hair and nail salon and outpatient rehabilitation. She also helps the clients with their food at mealtime.

Sr. Verna Kayser, Sr. Rose Marie Kruse and Sr. Jeanne d'Arc Omilan patiently and carefully sort, clean and repair the gently used, vintage jewelry that has been donated to St. Ann's for resale.

Sr. Lenore Steilen enjoys (and she will tell you this) creating delicious baked goods for the Café and all of St. Ann's events and sales on and off site. She even had an article in the Journal Sentinel a while back featuring her baking skills and cookies.

Sr. Clara Styger works with patience, skill and wit as a therapy assistant in outpatient rehabilitation. She helps clients in a special program called restorative therapy that enables those whose insurance has run out to continue their progress.

Sr. Leonette Gertner helps quietly but with that special gift of joy "behind the scenes" preparing and packaging soup mixes and other items for the gift shop. She also pitches in with special mailings from time to time.

Other sisters who help in additional ways are: Sr. Bernadette Garbian who provides the gift of music, Sr. Philip Neri who assists at Shepherd House–our special facility for people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia and Sr. Lucille Pritzl who serves in the Seasons of Life.

Their wonderful hands-on service goes well beyond the physical things they do, as each of them shares her unique brand of Franciscan spirit with clients, staff and visitors. These sisters could be doing other things with their retirement–and many serve in other places and causes as well–but they also come to St. Ann's to give of their time and skills to better the lives of others. So what has changed in the lives they have always dedicated as Sisters? It's true, they no longer are in teaching, nursing or administrative positions, but they continue to serve with real Franciscan spirit. They have much to give–and give it–as those who are benefit from their service know first hand. And beyond that, all of us at St. Ann's are immeasurably enriched, by their presence and, yes, their prayers!

As one leader of a charitable cause expressed it recently:

"If you can find the time–and you can–volunteering is a wonderful way to help us help so many others. When you volunteer your time and talents, you free up precious staff time and resources we can redirect to other areas of need. And as a volunteer, you get as good as you give, making new friends and expanding your horizons. And, of course, there's the pleasure, unlike any other, of helping someone in need."

From grateful clients and staff, thank you, to our volunteer sisters!