Salvatorians: A Healing Mission

Throughout the world and in the United States, Salvatorians have responded to the timeless call to serve the people of God in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

Walking with the young and the old, the vulnerable and fragile, we attempt to make known the goodness and kindness of a loving God in a myriad of ways including clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and emergency rooms. This caring extends to people as they celebrate new life or cope with incredible loss. As one collaborator said, “We are caring for family, friends and strangers. We have been called to this work.”

The Sisters were invited to the United States to work in home nursing. Archbishop Francis Katzer welcomed the small group to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as they met an urgent need. One Sister recalled how the home nursing Sisters were always part of the community as they nursed people in the years before adequate hospital facilities were available. Later Salvatorian Sisters were invited to staff and operate hospitals throughout Wisconsin. They entered a variety of health care fields-hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, occupational therapy and dentistry.

Salvatorian Sisters serve in rural and urban settings. Some mirrored the Sisters’ original mission by visiting the elderly in their homes and offering respite care. Others work in emergency rooms and oncology units. Always, they are drawn to help patients and families with life’s joyous moments as well as the most heart wrenching.

Salvatorians bring their faith and values into each ministry in their own special way. In their own words, they share how faith, mission and ministry impact their own lives and those they serve.

Sister Denise Demulling: "My role as a certified Activity Director, ADC, at St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus, is to be responsible to provide an ongoing program of activities designed to meet the psychological needs and interests of our residents. Our residents are precious and I believe they deserve the very best. Our residents continue to give in many ways-their smiles, kind words, helpfulness, patience with others and wisdom are just some of the ways they continue to give. It is an honor and privilege to be with our residents. Each day I witness resurrection in various ways. I know that our activities program and staff are contributing to the quality of life of our residents. We know we are making a difference in their lives.”

Sister Mary Ruth Dittman: "I am a retired LPN serving as a volunteer in a Phoenix hospital. I assist with the newborns and children. I chose nursing to help people and recall that after a shift I would clean up and go to the nursery to help with the babies. Today I rock and cuddle little ones who are ill. I also spend a great deal of time consoling parents and families as they face their children’s medical challenges.”

Sisters Alice, Beatrice and Marcella Gindt: Today the Sisters are volunteers at St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Alice has worked as a senior companion for the aging with Milwaukee County Interfaith and with home respite care. Presently, she helps the residents and in the laundry folding and mending. “I am a gentle person and older adults respond well to me. I always have tried to improve their quality of life. I find that I can be of service to them and be a friend,” Sister Alice said.

Sister Beatrice pointed out that she is a people person and loves her ministry. " I want the elderly residents I visit to feel comfortable and relaxed. I am companioning with them and sometimes communicate their needs and advocate for them as well. They have wonderful stories and wisdom and I am learning from them..”

Sister Marcella agrees. “For years I worked as a medical librarian and medical secretary and liked my work. Today as a volunteer at St. Anne’s, I feel that I am reaching out and doing something worthwhile. Many people are lonely and need someone. One lady just wants me to sit and listen and hold her hand. I sometimes think, ‘this could be my mother.’ I know that all the volunteers are doing something wonderful and feel appreciated.”

Sister Francine Kosednar: "I am a Customer Service Analyst for Aspirus-Wausau Hospital, Wausau, Wisconsin. I visit patients and ask how they are doing with their care, the nursing staff, do they understand the doctor’s instructions, is their room clean, how is the food? The people that I report to are compassionate. They want to improve the system. We value the patients and their concerns. I am an advocate for the patients and their families. If there are problems, we try to resolve them quickly. I can take the time to visit and listen and advocate. This is where my gifts are and I feel affirmed by the patients, their families and my colleagues.” More about Sister Francine...

Sister Darlene Pienschke: "I recently ministered at St. Elizabeth clinic in Tucson, Arizona. I coordinated a medical unit and my own department. The clinic serves about 100 to 150 patients each week. Many of our patients are uninsured and don’t come in until their medical needs are desperate. Our clinic is sponsored by Catholic Social Services of the diocese and the city of Tucson has also asked  the clinic to remain at this location to better serve the people of our area. Money is the biggest challenge of the clinic. The problems of our patients are great. I also fear that the needs of the area elderly are not being met because of a tangled web of documentation they find challenging to complete. My faith anchors my commitment and holds me together as we face unrelenting needs. I know that what we are doing for our patients is important and my faith holds me steady against all odds.”

Sister Betty Vetter:” I am a registered nurse working in a hospital acute care hospice unit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.. This means that I work daily with those persons who have a terminal illness and are in the process of dying or on the journey toward the end of their life. I also work very closely with the immediate and extended family members. I have a holistic approach to my nursing care, that is, work with all aspects of care, physical needs, and emotional or psychological, spiritual. If they so desire, I journey with them on their journey during a very intimate time of their lives. I bathe them, give them medications to try to keep them comfortable and free of pain, listen to their needs. Talk about God if they ask…help them to pray if they ask...help them deal with family members who are struggling …help the patient experience joy, laughter love, tears of many different kinds, come to peace with themselves, their family members and with God.”

Sister Rita Vogelsang: "I am working as a parish nurse and in parish religious instruction in Birmingham, Alabama. The majority of our parishioners are poor. Many live in a nearby housing project. We offer medical assistance, job education and training, a youth center, after school child care and a food pantry. Our people are grateful for all the assistance we try to provide. We also suggest services that they can access. Recently, one said, ’you listen to me and try to help.’ Comments like this keep us all going.” More about Sister Rita...

Sister Rachel Wallace: “I would characterize my ministry as one of facilitation of wholistic health and healing for the Sisters of our Province. To me, health is wellness of body, mind and spirit. I believe healing is always possible, even when cure is not. It is a privilege to be present to the Sisters of the province in this capacity, many of whom are at their most vulnerable time. I feel I continue to learn so much from them as I see their courage, patience and peace in living wholistically with health problems and approaching death.”

Sister Pat Wieloch: "I minister at Divine Savior Healthcare’s extended care facility in Portage, Wisconsin. I have seen great changes in the health care ministry and today our residents are older and have more challenges. Because of extended families, some do not have family members close by. I try to be a good listener and give them the time and attention they need.”

Sister Mary Evelyn Zimbauer: "I am a nurse in the Home Today and surgery recovery room and emergency room at Community Memorial Hospital, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. I was drawn to this ministry and each day try to stand with people in the midst of illness and suffering. My faith gives me the courage and peace to extend myself to others during times of grave need and crisis. Many of us try to bring our faith and hope to the patients because we believe there is a loving God. And what we are doing is very important. I bring my heart and soul to this ministry every day. There have been enormous changes but we are still caring for people in need."