Oregon, IL

Presentation Presence from 1944-1977

“Even before the first meeting of the Ecumenical Council, one could see a Catholic sister in Oregon, Illinois, riding a Church of God bus.” A parish bus had been used to transport the students, but it was old and “often was just too tired to make its daily run.  On those days the Church of God graciously loaned their bus to pick up the Catholic pupils.” History of St. Mary School, 1971, author unknown.

Father Arthur Kreckel, pastor at St. Mary Parish in 1944, became convinced there was an urgent need for Catholic education in the parish. Approaching the Sisters of the Presentation in Staten Island, New York, he received assurance that four sisters would come to Oregon and minister in the parish. Previous to this time, the Trinitarian Sisters had served in the parish.

An existing building became a convent, and was designated by Pope Pius XII as a motherhouse. This new Presentation community was granted permission to establish a novitiate and accept young women for vows in the Sisters of the Presentation, Diocese of Rockford (Oregon), Illinois. Setting up a kindergarten and nursery became the first priority, along with catechetical work in neighboring Byron and Morris.

On September 27, 1944, Mother Mary Regis Joseph Newton and Sisters Mary Rita Joseph Ryan, de Lourdes Joseph Donlon and Paul Joseph Fidaleo arrived to begin the new venture. Sister Mary Concepta Joseph Milinski, also from Staten Island, joined the group later. They were welcomed by Bishop John Boylan of the Diocese of Rockford. Sister Mary Joseph of the Infant Jesus Leifker (now known as Sister Mary Jo), from the local area, later entered the Oregon Presentation community.

In the words of Sister Mary Jo, “The community was a very happy one where many stories about New York were told.” Mount Loretto oral history tapes

Mother Regis led the community in the early years. She was described as having great leadership qualities with a loving, caring nature for everyone. She soon won the approval of the Oregon people. In 1960, she died of cancer.

Classes began, using the first floor of the convent as a school; the sisters established themselves in their residence on the second floor. This arrangement continued until 1947, when a separate house was purchased for the sisters’ residence. In 1945, grades first and second were added, with third and fourth grades added in 1946, followed by fifth and sixth grades in 1947. The addition of grades seven and eight respectively in 1948 and 1949. A new school building was dedicated in 1959. By 1968, grades seven and eight were no longer taught at St. Mary School.

In 1963 the sisters from Oregon amalgamated with the Dubuque Presentation community, and the Dubuque Presentation Sisters assumed responsibility for the school. An ecumenical census, in conjunction with all the parish denominations in the city, was done in 1966.

 

Declining enrollment, and the decision to concentrate on the religious education needs of the entire parish, caused the closing of the school in 1971. A comprehensive CCD program was introduced that served children, teens and adults. This program was directed by the Presentation Sisters until they withdrew from the parish in 1977.

Twenty-four Presentation Sisters served in the school and parish: the five original foundresses from Staten Island, one who joined the community in Oregon and 18 Dubuque Presentation Sisters.

Photo: Left to right: Dubuque Presentation Sisters who served in Oregon in 1968: Sisters Francine Quillin, Joan Marie Delay, Carolyn Link, Janice Merfeld, Clement Bird and Annette Skyles with Pastor Frank Bonnike.