Sister Maris Stella celebrates Golden Jubilee

After serving the New York-New Jersey community for 47 years Greenwood Lake — In talking about her call to religious life and serving the impoverished and the sick, Sister Maris Stella Footen said, “As student nurses, we would tease each other about who would be going ‘into the convent’ after graduation. ‘Not me!’ I would say, ‘that is the last thing I would do!’” But as Sister Maris Stella (then Kathryn) came to realize, God had other plans. “I don’t know why,” she continued, “but I began thinking what it would be like to serve the sick and poor, with a community of religious women whose entire focus was dedicated to the healing the poor.” In these words, she described her delight and surprise at becoming a Franciscan Sister of the Poor, and remaining faithful to her commitment for these past 50 years. On Saturday, June 24, Sister Maris Stella, will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving, along with many sisters and friends, at 11 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church on Windemere Avenue in Greenwood Lake. A reception will follow. Kathryn Footen was born in Frostburg, Md., and was baptized, and received first holy communion and confirmation at the parish of St. Michael’s. She attended Hill Street Elementary and Beall High Schools in Frostburg, and then attended Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Cumberland, Md. She entered the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor on August 15, 1956. Her parish of entrance was St. Anthony, in Washington, D.C. She made her first profession of vows on March 8, 1959 and perpetual profession of vows on September 8, 1964. Sister Maris Stella has a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Seton Hall University, a master of science degree in Community Health from Long Island University, and is a registered nurse. The sister has responded to the healing mission by serving in nursing and home care ministry for 36 years. From 1988 to 1995, she served as a long-term home care nurse and staff nurse at Frances Schervier Home and Hospital in Riverdale. She served in nursing from 1981 to 1988 at Dominican Sisters Family Health Services, and from at 1975 to 1981 Westchester County Medical Center. She also ministered at Rikers Island Prison from 1973 to 1975, and at several Franciscan Sisters of the Poor facilities: the former St. Clare Hospital, Schenectady for six years; the former St. Mary Hospital, Hoboken, N.J., for four years; and for one year at Mt. Alverno Convent, Warwick; St. Peter Hospital, Brooklyn; St. Michael Medical Center, Newark, N.J. “It is always wonderful to be part of a family who has supported and continues to supports my desire to take care of the poor and sick; to me the poor are my most important patients,” commented the sister about her 50 years in religious life. Though she is “retired,” she assists in the care of some of the elderly sisters in Warwick. Sister is very active in her parish of Holy Rosary in Greenwood Lake, where she sings in the choir, serves as a lector and is a member of the Altar Society. She is also a member of the Catholic Daughters. “I hope to continue to be able to deepen my spiritual life and to remain among these great sisters.” The Franciscan Sisters of the Poor walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, St. Francis of Assisi and Blessed Frances Schervier, committed to a Gospel way of Life. An international congregation with sisters and lay associates in the United States, Brazil, Italy and Senegal, they respond to people in need through their healing presence and diversity of gifts. Sisters in the United States are involved in pastoral and spiritual ministry, healthcare, social outreach and direct services to the poor and homeless. Prayer, contemplation and community are central to their lives. For more information, call 718-643-1919, ext. 29, or write to mfullam@franciscansisters.org.