After years of careful consideration, contemplation, and discernment, the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa, have chosen to transfer their congregation’s governance to an appointed leader. This change comes at a significant moment in their communal life and is intended to provide stability, support, and continued faithfulness to the mission and charism of the congregation.
Sister Bauer brings over twenty years of servant leadership experience with a broad healthcare operations background. She has a solid understanding of operations, finances, contracts, technology, and strategic planning. “Sister Kathleen brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her position as our Appointed Congregational Leader. She has a passion for religious life, is grounded in faith, curious about people, conscious of the importance of listening, has a welcoming presence, and is pastoral and inclusive,” said Sister Janice Cebula, current President of the Sisters of St. Francis.
Most recently, Sister Bauer ministered as a Clinical Coordinator at the Dallas College School of Health Sciences, where she was responsible for over 450 clinical affiliation, service, and expense/revenue agreements for the School of Health Sciences. She has also served as a project manager for Catholic Charities in Dallas, TX; on the executive leadership team of the School Sisters of Notre Dame; as an IS/IT site manager for Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN; and in clinical department management at New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm, MN. She was also a licensed physical therapist in Minnesota for twenty-six years.
While this marks a shift from the congregation’s longstanding practice of elected leadership, the decision to transfer governance reflects years of learning and planning, aligning with the sisters’ hopes and vision for the future. Beginning in 2018, the sisters started examining future demographics and needs and began discussions about future governance models. Members determined they no longer had sufficient resources or persons available to serve in leadership roles to operate in the future.
“I am grateful for the involvement of the sisters along the way, the assistance from consultants, and am especially grateful to God. I would also like to thank and affirm the partnerships we have formed in the wider Clinton community all 133 years we have been located here,” remarked Sister Cebula. “We have spent years attempting to face our reality as an aging community. We transferred the college and The Alverno more than ten years ago. When we discerned together that we could not elect another leadership team, the need to have an appointed leader became clear,” she added.
To support Sister Bauer in the role as Appointed Congregational Leader, a team of advisors will be established. This team will consist of two women religious with the skills and qualities necessary to provide support and guidance. “We are at a historic moment in our history. While it is always painful to let go, we eagerly await Sister Kathleen’s arrival,” expressed Sister Cebula.
The congregation is grateful for the dedicated service of its outgoing leadership team – Sisters Janice Cebula, Marilyn Huegerich, and Ruth E. Westmoreland - and for the many ways they have guided the community with wisdom and care. The sisters now welcome the leadership of Sister Bauer with openness and trust, confident that this transition will help sustain and strengthen their mission of living and promoting active nonviolence and peacemaking.