MILWAUKEE, Wis. – More than three dozen School Sisters of St. Francis of the United States Province will celebrate milestone anniversaries of service as women religious this year. In addition, one lay woman in associate relationship with the community will celebrate her 40-year Jubilee and two lay women their 25-year Jubilees.
These are the sisters celebrating Jubilee this year who have served in the Diocese of Jackson.

Sister Frances Kloewer was born in Harlan, Iowa. She received a bachelor of science degree in education at Alverno College in Milwaukee and a master of science degree in education from the University of Nebraska in Omaha.
In the Diocese of Jackson, Sister served as principal and teacher at Christ the King School in Jackson (1957-1966), taught at St. Francis School in Yazoo City (1967-1970) and taught at Holy Family School in Jackson (1970-1972).
Other service: In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister taught at Immaculate Conception School, Chicago (1948-1957). In the Diocese of Des Moines, she ministered in Earling as a teacher at St. Joseph School (1978-1990), library media specialist (1991-2000) and substitute teacher and volunteer (2002-2012) at Shelby County Catholic School. In the Archdiocese of Omaha, she taught at St. Patrick School in Fremont (1972-1975) and at St. John the Baptist School in Petersburg (1975-1978), and served as a volunteer at New Cassel Retirement Center in Omaha (2012-2019). In the Diocese of Joliet, Sister taught at St. Alphonsus School in Lemont (1966-1967). In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, sister served in the mailing department for the Seraphic Press at St. Joseph Convent, Milwaukee (1947-1948).
Sister currently resides at Sacred Heart in Milwaukee.

Sister Dorothy Hegemann was born in Howells, Nebraska. She received a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics from Alverno College in Milwaukee.
In the Diocese of Jackson, sister taught at St. Mary School in Holly Springs (1954-1958) and at St. Francis High School in Yazoo City (1958-1959).
Other service: In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister taught at Alvernia High School, Chicago (1959-1960). In the Diocese of Dubuque, Sister taught at Rudolphinum High School in Protivin, Iowa (1966-1968). In the Diocese of Lincoln, Sister taught at Aquinas High School in David City, Nebraska (1968-1974). In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Sister taught at St. Joseph High School, Kenosha (1960-1962). She also ministered at Alverno College, Milwaukee, as a teacher (1981-1987), instructional services math coordinator (1987-2012), and math tutor (2012-2013). In the Diocese of Omaha, Sister taught at Ryan High School in Omaha (1962-1966) and Archbishop Bergan High School in Fremont (1974-1981).
Sister currently resides at St. Joseph Center in Milwaukee.

Sister Antonienne Thoma was born in Danville, Illinois. She received a bachelor of science degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee, a master of arts degree in special education from DePaul University in Chicago and a master of pastoral studies from Loyola University in Chicago.
In the Diocese of Jackson, Sister served as office assistant at Sacred Heart Southern Missions in Hernando (2006-2015).
Other service: In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister taught at Holy Angels School in Chicago (1959-1961), served as a diagnostician at St. John of the Cross School in Western Springs (1973-1978), and was assistant principal at St. Jerome School in Chicago (1978-1979). Sister also served as a learning disabilities teacher at Our Lady of the Wayside School in Arlington Heights (1979-1984) where she also served as a pastoral associate (1984-1988 and 1989-1991), and as director of care and outreach (1988-1989). Sister served as ministry director in Chicago for her congregation’s United States Province (1998-2003). In the Diocese of Joliet, Sister taught at St. Liborius School in Steger (1961), and at St. Raphael School in Naperville (1961-1965) where she also served as principal (1965-1968). She taught at St. Luke School in Carol Stream (1969-1970), and at St. Walter School in Roselle (1970-1972). In the Diocese of La Crosse, Sister served as chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield, Wisconsin (1993-1998). In the Diocese of Madison, Sister served as chaplain at Meriter Hospital in Madison (1992-1993). In the Diocese of New Ulm, Sister served as a homemaker and librarian at Japanese Martyrs Convent in Leavenworth, Minnesota (1954-1958). In the Archdiocese of Omaha, sister served as homemaker at St. John the Baptist Convent in Fordyce, Nebraska (1952-1954). In the Diocese of Rockford, she served as homemaker for Madonna High School in Aurora, Illinois (1951-1952).
Sister currently resides at Sacred Heart in Milwaukee.

Sister Catherine Mauge was born in Chicago, Illinois. She received a bachelor of arts degree in music education and liturgy from Alverno College in Milwaukee.
In the Diocese of Jackson, Sister served at CADET School, Holly Springs, as musician (1969-1990) and religious education coordinator (1975-1990).
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister served as musician for St. Bernardine School in Forest Park (1963-1965) and at Holy Angels School in Chicago (1965-1969). In the Diocese of San Bernardino, she served as a private music teacher and organist in Idyllwild (1991-2007) and currently serves as musician at the Idyllwild Center for Spiritual Living in Hemet, California (2012 to present).
Sister resides in Idyllwild, California.

LELAND – Lt. Colonel Howard W. Johnson, USA (Ret.), an Army chaplain and Catholic priest, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2020, in Bethesda, Maryland. He was 86 years old. He led a life full of service to his country and the Lord.
Father Johnson spent his formative years in Leland, Mississippi and was born in Washington, D.C. in 1933. Father Johnson attended St. Joseph’s High School in Greenville, graduating in 1952. His studies next took him to St. Bernard’s Seminary in Alabama, where he graduated with a degree in Theology. He continued his graduate studies at Notre Dame University, in South Bend, Indiana, studying religious education. His love of learning later led Father Johnson to earn two Master degrees, one from Baylor University, for pastoral psychology, and another from Long Island University (New York), for guidance and counseling.
He was ordained on May 26, 1960 at St. James Church (Diocese of Jackson) in Leland. From 1960 to 1964, he returned to his high school alma mater, where he was the assistant pastor and high school religious education teacher at St. Joseph’s Parish and High School in Greenville.
Father Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964, and attended Chaplain’s Officer School at Fort Hamilton, in Brooklyn, New York. As a Chaplain for the U.S. Army for nearly twenty-five years, he provided spiritual and religious coverage at the Battalion, Brigade, Division and Post levels. He served twelve years overseas, including tours in Korea, Panama, Vietnam, and Germany. He also had posts throughout various army bases in the United States, including at the United States Military Academy at West Point. For his service providing spiritual and religious coverage during his overseas tours he received numerous service commendations and awards, including The Bronze Star Medal for his coverage to soldiers in combat in Vietnam.
When he returned to the United States, he provided counseling to veterans as part of his chaplaincy duties. He worked tirelessly with veterans afflicted with drug addiction, not only as a spiritual counsel, but as a friend and advocate. His gentle spirit provided solace to many.
After completing 24 years of distinguished active duty military service, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Johnson retired from the military in 1988. He then served for several years as the director of religious education for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, living in Washington, D.C., until he fell ill. He resided in the D.C. area for the remainder of his life, mostly at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Washington, D.C.
In addition to spending time with family and friends, Father Johnson very much liked reading mystery novels and Washington Redskins football.
Father Howard’s ashes will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at a time to be determined later.