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Dec ’09 LBW
Friday evenings
are for community gatherings. The sisters come together to
relax and visit, watch a movie, play cards or games, and enjoy
special refreshments. On the evening of October 2nd,
a Jubilee Celebration was held in honor of Sister Mary Agnes
Kallus, OSB and Sister Gilbert Tuma, OSB on the 65th
anniversary of their of monastic profession. Jubilees are
important times at Sacred Heart Monastery. The sisters look
back over the lives of the special celebrants and reflect on the
part each has played in the life of the monastery. It is a time
of special thanksgiving, and of looking ahead to what new
blessings might come to their lives.
Sister Mary Agnes returned home to the monastery in September of
this year after living at
Sts. Cyril & Methodius
Parish in Joliet since 1970. An educator for her entire
career, Sister Mary Agnes served at St. Joseph Orphanage and St.
Joan of Arc in Lisle, and schools in Texas and Ohio before
moving to Joliet. She began as a teacher at St. Bernard and
Sts. Cyril & Methodius, and moved to St. Joseph’s School in
1980. She was the fourth grade teacher at St. Joseph’s until
her retirement. In some cases, she taught two generations in a
family. In addition, Sister Mary Agnes ministered to the
parishioners at Sts. Cyril & Methodius on weekends as the
religious education coordinator. She helped to prepare students
for First Eucharist and Confirmation, served as sacristan and
Eucharistic minister in the Church, and brought communion to the
homebound. Sister was an active member of her parish, working
hard to ensure success and fun at events. She took special
interest in providing clothing and food to those in need in
Joliet.
Sister Mary Agnes is one of five Kallus sisters (Sisters Andrea,
Josephine, Virginia and the late, Angelica) from La Grange,
Texas, who are members of the Sacred Heart Monastery community.
Duties at the
monastery will keep Sister Mary Agnes busy in her retirement.
She will be preparing rooms and welcoming guests to the
monastery, and visiting with the residents of Benedale Center
and Villa St. Benedict. She hopes to be able to do some
tutoring or substitute teaching, as well.
Dec
04 LBW
The Benedictine Sisters of Lisle celebrated the sixtieth
anniversary of Sister Mary Agnes Kallus, OSB, on October 16th,
2004.
Entering the community in 1942 from LaGrange, Texas, Sister
Mary Agnes, who was one of twelve children, is the daughter of
the late Robert and Cecilia Kallus. Four other siblings are
members of the community: Sisters Andrea, Josephine, Virginia
and the late Angelica.
Sister obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from DePaul University in
Chicago.
Sister Mary Agnes teaches at St. Joseph’s in Joliet and
ministers to the parishioners of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish
as Religious Education Minister. She also teaches religion
classes on Sunday, preparing students for First Eucharist and
Confirmation. Sister serves as sacristan and Eucharistic
minister, bringing Communion and visiting the homebound. Any
spare time is spent visiting nursing homes, and providing
clothing and food to the poor.
Additionally, Sister Mary Agnes serves as a member of the Altar
and Rosary Society and the Parish Council at her parish.
Participating in their social events, Sister’s familiar face is
always found hard at work to ensure the success of all parish
events.
Prior to her long teaching career in Joliet, Sister Mary Agnes
taught at St. Joseph Orphanage (now Benet Academy) and was a
“dorm mother” to orphans there for many years.
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