Franciscan Sisters in our Community - Sr. Linda

Meet Sr Linda. She is one of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, who just moved into the convent at St. Anne's in Chassell this summer.

"Hi, my name is Sister Linda Brandes and my hometown is in Maple Grove, WI. I have 2 brothers and 3 sisters, I am the oldest in the family my Mom is still living and she will be 90 this coming January.  In grade school we lived close to school. We had the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Chairity as teachers.  Living close, the Sisters called on the Brandes girls often to help in setting up for special events in school and in church. I think it was this close contact with the sisters that inspired me to become a Franciscan Sister.

"I have been a professed sister for 45 years and during this time have served in many different places and in many different capacities. Some of the places I’ve been are Waukesha, WI, Green Bay,WI,  West Point, NE., Yuma, AZ, Bapchule, AZ and at our Motherhouse in Manitowoc, WI.  I started out as a homemaker(cook) in some our larger houses  but as our houses became smaller I began to help out in different ways. Helping out in our schools with some of the children that needed extra help,  doing recess duties to give teachers a break, running the school office.  When at our motherhouse I was cooking for some years and then was asked to coordinate our craft room and also to organize the daily car trips to get our sisters to and from appointments.

"This year I am reaching out to the homebound of St. Anne’s and St. Al’s parishes and also those who are now in care facilities. A smile everyday and bringing Jesus to them goes a very long way.  I am also enjoying being present to the students when ever possible."
  
She is already underway bringing smiles and laughter to the homebound as well as jumping in at St. Al's socials. Sr. Linda's favorite part about the Kewenaw so far is the new landscape and many treas as wel as the exciting visits form the Viking cruse ships and sea planes on the canal. We look forward to getting to know Sr. Linda more and are overjoyed she is serving in this community.