The Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross USA Province headquartered in Merrill has much to give thanks for this year. Four of their sisters are celebrating 70 years each of ministry in religious life. They include Sisters Mary Thomas Reichl, Mary Angela Sackmann, Mary Michael Smits and Jeanne Marie Braun. Each woman entered Holy Cross Convent in Merrill in 1946 and made her First Profession in 1948.
Sister Mary Thomas Reichl grew up in Athens and has ministered as a teacher, guidance counselor, hospital chaplain, director of development and provincial of the Holy Cross Sisters. She ministered in North Dakota, Illinois and Wisconsin. Today she is still involved in the Salvation Army and Comunidad Hispana in the Merrill area.
Sister Mary Angela Sackmann hails from Deer Creek near Medford. Her ministries took place in Wisconsin, Louisiana and Kentucky and included teaching, hospital chaplain, coordinator for the senior sisters and working with the poor.
Sister Mary Michael Smits grew up in Wausau and Athens. She spent the majority of those 70 years in the classroom, including schools in Wisconsin, Ohio and North Dakota.
Sister Jeanne Marie Braun, raised in Athens, spent the past 70 years ministering in Wisconsin, North Dakota, Illinois and Minnesota. She was a nurse’s aide, nurse, hospital administrator and volunteer helping the poor and homeless.
Today, these four women reside on the Holy Cross Campus in Merrill. A celebration will take place during the summer meetings of the sisters and associates in early June in Holy Cross Chapel.
The Holy Cross Sisters office is located at 1400 O’Day St., Merrill. For more information on the Holy Cross Sisters and associates, visit www.holycrosssisters.org.