Jacqueline Spaniola was the 10th of 11 children (7 girls, 4 boys total) born to Paul and Leona Spaniola in Swartz Creek, MI. She attended Catholic grade school and was taught by the Francisican Sisters of St. Joseph, from Hamburg, New York.
The thought of becoming a religious sister first entered her mind in the 8th grade. So, what did she do? She prayed; discerning if the thought was from God. “The thought was always coming back, so I asked my parents. They said I was too young to go to a boarding school in NY.”
But the thought persisted…
Working towards her Marian Award as a Girlscout, she wrote letters to seven Religious Communities in the area. It was in her seventh letter back that she learned about the Fransiscan Sisters of Christian Charity of Manitowoc Wisconsin. “This is the one,” she thought, and never doubted it.
As this was much closer to her parents’ home than New York was, they gave permission for her to attend the girls’ Catholic high schooI located at the order's Motherhouse in Manitowoc. It was 1966 when her family drove her to Ludington, MI, where she boarded the Badger Ferry and vogayed over Lake Michigan to Wisconsin. She entered the school as a sophomore, at age 15. Immediately following her high school graduation in 1969, she began her formal training as a postulant to become a sister.
Three years later, in 1972, she professed her first vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These vows, considered her “temporary vows,” were renewed each year before taking her final ones. Yesterday Sister celebrated the 50th Anniversary of taking these first vows!
Sr. Jackie’s 50 years as a Religious Sister have been served in 11 cities spanning five states. She has lived and served in Francis Creek, Manitowoc, Kellnersville, Rhinelander, Two Rivers, and Green Bay, Wisconsin; West Point, Nebraska; Zanesville, Ohio; and Kekaha on the Island of Kauai, Hawaii! She has spent these years teaching Catholic education and faith formation to children and adults. Today, Sister Jacqueline Spaniola serves in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for the Diocese of Marquette. She is a pastoral associate for both St. Albert the Great University Parish in Houghton, and for St. Annes Catholic Church in Chassell, where she lives in community with two other Fransiscan Sisters.
We are very blessed to have Sr. Jackie as our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) organizer, and grateful for her role in the marriage preparation of our many engaged couples! Among other responsibilities, she organizes and gives retreats, runs book studies, and always gives our students attention!
Sr. Jackie and Fr. Ben Hasse share the Gospel on a St. Al's Canoe Adventure, 2021
As a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity, she loves being able to serve the people of God within Community. "The rhythm of prayer in common, Mass, and sharing the mission with other Sisters is very important. Being able to spend time with the Lord is the source of our ministry."
Sr. Jackie went on to say, "The Lord enriches my life by giving me the grace, talent and energy to reach out to his people… I love sharing the faith with other people of all ages and in different circumstances." She says she has learned so much from other's spiritual life throughout her years of teaching classes and giving retreats. In RCIA, she has especially enjoyed learning from young people from varied backgrounds and countries who are searching for the truth.
When asked if there was anything she wished to say to the St. Al's Community or women discerning religious life, Sister Jacqueline answered,
“If you are discerning the Lord's will for your life, be sure to spend time with the Lord who truly loves you, and gave you the beautiful talents and gifts you have. The Lord wants the best for you, so stay faithful to your prayer life. The Lord loves you and is always at your side to guide you.”
Sister Jackie,
St. Al’s is so lucky to have you here with us!! Your gifts, of which there are too many to list, have been a never-ceasing blessing to us. Congratulations and THANK YOU for your 50 years of service to God and his Kingdom!!