On June 16, 2024, five Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross will celebrate their jubilee of profession at a Mass in Holy Cross Chapel at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill. These jubilarians together mark 300 years of religious life commitment.
70 years
Sister Celine Goessl celebrates her 70th anniversary of profession. Born in Curtiss, Wis., Sister Celine entered the community after attending Our Lady of Holy Cross High School in Merrill. She made her first profession on Aug. 22, 1954. In her early years of ministry, she served in catechetical ministry in Mercer and later taught elementary school in Rhinelander.
In 1971 she began her education in Pastoral Ministry, eventually being awarded a Masters in Theology and later a Doctor of Ministry degree. She served as Pastoral Associate in parishes in both Wisconsin and Michigan, concluding her service as the Pastoral Administrator of St. Luke’s Parish in Bellaire, Mich.
Sister Celine served as Provincial of the USA Province of Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross from 2006 to 2012. She continues her ministry as a volunteer co-director of the Food Pantry in Merrill and she also provides education against human trafficking in parishes and schools throughout northern and central Wisconsin, especially in the Diocese of Green Bay.
60 years
Sisters Carol Crosby, Peggy Jackelen, and Dorothy Niemann are each celebrating the 60th anniversary of their profession. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio; Whitehall, Wis.; and Breese, Ill., respectively, Sisters Carol and Peggy attended Our Lady of Holy Cross High School in Merrill, while Sister Dorothy graduated from Mater Dei High School in Breese, Ill.
Sisters Carol and Dorothy pursued Bachelors in Nursing and later Masters degrees in Nursing and served in hospitals in Wisconsin, Illinois, and North Dakota. Later they both served as nurse educators. Sister Carol was tapped for leadership in the congregation, first as Provincial (1987-1994) and later as a General Councilor in Switzerland (1996-2014). Sister Dorothy also served several terms as a Provincial Councilor. She currently serves the needs of Sisters living in Bell Tower Residence in Merrill and as a volunteer with the St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Board.
Sister Peggy received her Bachelor of Education degree and served in elementary education in Antigo and Merrill. Later, she was the founding Administrator of Bell Tower Residence Assisted Living in Merrill (1990-2014). Sister Peggy also served several terms as a Provincial Councilor. She continues several volunteer ministries in Merrill.
50 years
Sister Pat Cormack is celebrating her 50th anniversary of profession. She was born in Chicago and raised in Oak Park, Ill. Sister Pat obtained a Bachelor’s degree in English from De Paul University and later earned a Master’s degree in Religious Education from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., and a Master’s degree in Organization Development from Loyola University in Chicago.
She served in religious education positions in Mater Dei High School in Breese, Ill., and in St. Robert’s Parish in Merrill. She also served variously in adult religious education, lay ministry development, and pastoral planning in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Diocese of Gaylord, Mich., and the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, Mont. She concluded her time in Great Falls-Billings serving as Diocesan Chancellor (1997-2000).
Sister Pat served the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross USA Province as Provincial (2000-2006 and 2012-2021). From 2007-2012 she had the opportunity to work as Associate Director for Business and Finance at the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in Silver Spring, Md. She continues to serve on the leadership team of the USA House.