Catholic Sisters Week - March 8-14, 2022
The Impact Rochester Franciscan Sisters Had on My Life
Sister Eleanor Granger
Submitted by Betty Ford
CST Class of 1975
 
Sister Eleanor Granger (formerly known as Sister Bennett) was my 4th-grade teacher. In my adult years, she loved to tell that to people when she introduced me, and I loved that she did. Little did I know, as a shy but wide-eyed nine-year-old, the influence she would have on my life. 

Since grade school, our paths crossed briefly during college and my teaching years, but when a career move brought me to the Washington DC area, the same happened for Sister Eleanor a few years later, as she became Executive Director of the Franciscan Federation. Our friendship grew as we reconnected and eventually took on the task of planning the Washington D.C. College of Saint Teresa Alumnae gatherings. Joined with fellow alumnae Elaine Klein and Marianne Hamilton Cotter, we talked and laughed our way through many lunches and get-togethers that far exceed our planned time (by hours), yet we still managed to save a few minutes to plan the gatherings! At each Alumnae gathering, Sister Eleanor shared updates on the other Sisters and provided us with reflections and thoughts on St. Francis and the Lenten season, leaving us inspired and full of gratitude for our Franciscan connection. I felt blessed to know she would always be there with her support, firm belief, and faith in all that God can do.

When a career change brought me back to Minnesota, the same happened with Sister Eleanor a few years later, as she returned to Rochester as Director of Development for the Rochester Franciscans. When she asked me to serve on her newly established Advisory Board, I jumped at the opportunity and once again continued to learn as I watched her servant leadership skills at work, as she led, as always, with dedication, dignity, and grace. Attending meetings and helping with some of the events at Assisi Heights reconnected me with other Sisters from my grade school and CST days and led to more dinners with Sister Eleanor and more sharing and learning.

In the years that followed I continued to be inspired by her example, this time on how to age with dignity and grace and always with joy and respect for others. That joy, laughter, enthusiasm for life, welcoming smile, and outreaching arms remained the same throughout all her years and I shall always be grateful for our friendship. Not only was she my dear friend, she unknowingly, or maybe even knowingly, also became my mentor over these last 50-plus years.

Although Sister Eleanor is no longer with us, her influences, joy, and love, as it is with so many of the other Sisters, will be with us for our lifetimes. I am forever grateful.
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 the Sisters had on their lives.