Spring 2012 - Lourdes College

leading an institutionSr. Marie Andrée’s leadershipexpertise would be put to usefrom 1984-1992 as MinisterGeneral of the SylvaniaFranciscans. During Sr. AnnFrancis’ term as President from1983-2000, she continued tobuild and strengthen Lourdes.Highlights of her term includeestablishing more academicprograms; evolving the role ofPresidency to include fund andfriend raising; conducting amaster plan for college facilities;creating the AdministrativeCouncil, Auxiliary, and MissionAwareness Committee;establishing Bachelor ofArts degrees in 7 disciplinesand Bachelor of Science andBachelor of Science in Nursingdegrees; developing a planningprocess; and acquiring federalfunds. In her last few yearsas President, Sr. Ann Francisalso laid the groundwork forgraduate programs.Different paths,same desireDorothy Chorzempa duringher first communion, 1936While bothladies areexemplaryleaders, theirpaths toprofessedlife differ. Sr.Marie AndréeChorzempaentered theSylvaniaFranciscansin 1939 at thetender age of12. In 1953,Sr. Ann Franciswas an14 ATLOURDES MAGAZINE | Spring 2012independent woman whochose to join the Sisters aftersupporting her mom and 7siblings for three years uponhigh school graduation.Dorothy Chorzempaentered the conventbecause “I was veryimpressed with theSisters who taughtme at Holy CrossElementary Schoolin Minneapolis, MN.I wanted to be likethem.” She recalls herparents being veryfaith-filled peoplewho supported herchoice to join theSylvania Franciscansafter eighth gradegraduation. “Thesewere tough times,”she points out. “Thecountry was in a deepdepression and Dadhad lost his job. Momworked and my sisterand I took care of thehouse.”“The night I was leaving homeby train to Toledo, my fatherknelt at my knee, took his hatoff, and blessed me with tearsin his voice. ‘Niech Bóg cieblogoslawi, moje drogie dzieckó(May God bless you, my dearchild).” Dorothy, who would takethe name Sr. Marie Andrée, saysshe never regretted her decision.“Their faith paid off,” she adds.“I left on a Thursday and thefollowing Monday Dad wasoffered a job. Mom believed thatbecause they were generousin allowing me to enter theConvent, God took care of thefamily.”Dorothy at her perpetual profession, 1948Dorothy (far right) with her family in the summer of 1939.From left: her sister Fran, father Andrew, brother Ted and mother Louise.