A Centennial Year!

by S. Peggy Jackelen, Administrator

This year is a special jubilee year for the Holy Cross Sisters and their Associates. In 1912, one hundred years ago, six Holy Cross Sisters arrived in Dickinson, North Dakota. Traveling from their motherland of Switzerland they came in response to a request from a bishop in North Dakota to manage and staff a hospital he was building. This was the beginning of the Holy Cross Sisters’ foundation in the U.S. Every person, every family, every community has a story to tell. At significant times in our lives we enjoy taking time to reminisce and reflect on the journey that has brought us to this point in our history. Throughout this year there will be opportunities for us to share stories from the sisters’ past. Some residents have been a part of that history. Perhaps they will also be able to share with us some of their experiences with the sisters. It would be very interesting to hear their fascinating stories and unique perspective.

This year the Holy Cross Community celebrates all who have enabled us to touch the lives of others with compassion and a loving response—our co-workers, our benefactors. They will celebrate who they are today, women and men filled with a desire to live lives dedicated to Gospel living and loving. They will celebrate all that will be as the future unfolds, thus living in hope that they may face the new challenges of our times with a generous and loving spirit. The Holy Cross Community invites you to celebrate with them throughout the jubilee year in the events that will be available to the public. They also ask for your prayer that they may be faithful to the spirit of their founders as they respond to the needs of the time with mercy and compassion while creating possibilities for the future. Bell Tower Residence, as a proud ministry of the Holy Cross Sisters, sends their congratulations to the Holy Cross Sisters and Associates during this jubilee year with this message:

Each day, each year, God begins anew. May your journey continue to give birth
to the Love which will heal and transform our world.

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Over a year ago, the Bell Tower Board of Directors unveiled the logo for “Friends of Bell Tower,” a program designed to continue support of this ministry. According to Sister Peggy Jackelen, Administrator, “The economy threatens to impede the ministerial needs of Bell Tower Residence. We truly believe that this ministry is needed and will continue to grow in its importance to the Merrill area.”

The last capital campaign, successful as it was, made it possible to move forward with the building and remodeling project, but it did not cover all future obligations.

Individuals and businesses are invited to become a Friend of Bell Tower, helping to keep this ministry moving forward into an ever changing future. In keeping with the Franciscan theme of caring for the earth, which the Holy Cross Sisters and associates embrace, various levels of giving will be honored by the planting of a tree on the Holy Cross Campus.

For more information on the Friends of Bell Tower contact the Holy Cross Sisters Office of Development, 1400 O’ Day Street, Merrill, WI. 54452, or call (715) 539 1464.

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Scrip Fundraiser for Bell Tower Residence

Helping Bell Tower by using GoodSearch

Monthly Activities

Sample Menu

2012 Bell Tower Board Welcomes Two New Members and Elects Officers

Above left to right:  President Karen Karow, new member Mike Nolan, new member and Secretary/Treasurer Kris McGarigle, and Administrator S. Peggy Jackelen. Missing from the picture is newly elected Vice President Art Lersch.

Artisan Fair on February 4th

Above: Harry Wallace and his wood carvings at the 2010 Artisan Fair.

Below:  Stained glass items made by Doug Williams - 2010.

Gumbo Supper on February 21st