The Impact of Sister Edmund Sullivan

Catholic Sisters Week - March 8-14, 2023

How Sister Edmund Sullivan Impacted My Life

“Preach the Gospel always – and if necessary, use words.”

This profound saying is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi – and has been lived out by countless Rochester Franciscans. This is how three of these Franciscan Sisters – Sisters Eone, Edmund, and Leontius – made an impact in my life without saying a word.

– Carol Swanson, College of Saint Teresa, Class of 1978

I only met Sister Edmund in passing after my college years. Once, while visiting Assisi Heights, another Sister gave me a tour of the lower levels. Entering one of the many food prep/work rooms, we came upon Sister Edmund, all alone, shelling black walnuts gathered on the property. If you know anything about black walnuts, you know the shells are extremely hard – almost impossible to crack. Once open, it is still very difficult to extract the edible pieces. It is a painstaking process and it takes a lot of nuts just to yield a serving.

Yet, here was Sister Edmund – in her 90s and weighing probably 95 pounds – joyfully working away by herself in this chilly basement room on a beautiful autumn day. Her efforts were an anonymous work of charity for her fellow Sisters, who would later enjoy the fruits of her labor as a topping on ice cream or in another delicious dessert.

Sister Edmund lived to age 105. Hailing from Oregon City, Oregon, she entered the Rochester Franciscan Community in 1916; living out her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience until entering Eternal Life on Christmas Eve 2000. A respected educator and school administrator, she also served as the religious superior at Assisi Heights. After her retirement from active ministry, in 1975, she continued to serve others through her generous spirit.

Seeing Sister Edmund shelling black walnuts taught me an important lesson: don’t be afraid to take on the difficult tasks. Even if the yields seem small, they will make a difference. In addition, completing those difficult tasks is made even sweeter when your work is done behind the scenes and/or uncredited – yet enjoyed by all.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself.” – Philippians 2:3

Reflections from College of Saint Teresa Alumnae

The College of Saint Teresa (CST) was a Catholic women's college in Winona, Minnesota. Previously a women's seminary, it became a college in 1907 and was operated by the

Sisters of Saint Francis of Rochester, Minnesota until its closing in 1989.

In recognition of Catholic Sisters Week, we asked several alumnae to share their memories of the Sisters serving at CST and the impact it made on their lives.