Written by Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

We have continued to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Felician Sisters coming from Poland to North America. Most recently, Bishop David L. Ricken offered Mass at Felician Village’s Family Fest on September 4. It was a lovely event, even with the chilly weather. Ten of the Felician Sisters came from Chicago and Milwaukee to celebrate with us. Sr. Clarette Stryzewski offered the welcome at Mass. In the homily, the bishop recounted the story of the Felician Sisters coming to Wisconsin. It made me consider what it must have been like for them and how immigrants in all times and places experience very similar circumstances. In The Felician Journey: The First Fifty Years 1855-1905, we are told: “Rev. Joseph Dabrowski, a Polish pastor in Polonia, Wisconsin, in North America, had asked for a few sisters to come to work and help care for the Polish children. This zealous priest was perturbed and deeply worried over the conditions of his compatriots, who had to leave their fatherland and cross the ocean in search of bread and religious freedom and found themselves totally abandoned, on the verge of losing their nationality, culture and faith.” These women came to serve the Polish immigrant community that was struggling without school instruction in their own language and support for their parish.

Why do immigrants choose to leave their homeland? In my encounters with immigrants from all over the world, I find their stories to have many similar elements and to be very compelling. The great majority would not leave their home, if given the opportunity for safety, employment, religious freedom, and a hope for a good life for their families. They are the very same reasons that our ancestors left their homes to come to North America. It has been the same throughout history. People migrate because of need.

The history of Wisconsin is filled with the tales of immigrant communities. There is also an abundance of stories of congregations of women and men from the homelands of these immigrants who came to serve these specific communities as sisters, brothers, and priests. The Felician Sisters offered their care for the Polish immigrants here and continue serve all of God’s people on this continent. We are so very grateful for their charism passed on through the travels of the original five pioneer sisters.  

Blessed Angela: “In all your endeavors have a good intention.”