Remembering Sister Joanne Fedewa
March 28, 1930 – February 13, 2024
Click here to view a recording Sister Joanne’s Memorial Mass from February 17, 2024.
Click here to watch Sister Joanne’s Sister Chat interview about her ministry work Building Community and A Church in Flint, Michigan.
Sister Joanne Fedewa passed away into eternal life on February 13th, 2024 at 93 years of age. She prepared the following autobiography to share her life’s story.
I was born in Westphalia, Michigan March 28, 1930 to faith filled and loving parents. I had five sisters and five brothers. We worked together on a farm which brought enough income to keep us well and good. My parents were good Catholics and saw that each of us had the opportunity to go to a Catholic school even though the school was seven miles away.
Prayer, living the Commandments, good example, and loving and caring for each other were the Gospel values that enriched our home. Since there were so many of us we had our own celebrations on special feast days. My mother was a wonderful cook and seamstress. My father provided well for such a large family.
My childhood years at home were happy and peaceful. Although I had two brothers (Sylvester and Matthew) who joined the priesthood, my parents didn't speak about religious vocations, but each evening we had to pray three Hail Mary's to know our vocation. Eight of my siblings married and we were a close-knit family.
I joined the convent after graduating from the eighth grade, having reached the mature age of fifteen. I began school late because there wasn't enough room in the car for me. Carpooling was our means of transportation. The Sisters of Christian Charity had been my teachers. Their life-style inspired me. I heard God's call on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, when my mother and I attended church that day.
I entered the Sisters of Wilmette, Illinois in 1945. My years with the Sisters were happy ones, receiving a good spiritual foundation and education. I entered the teaching profession and taught in various schools. When the community asked for volunteers to go to a Home Mission in North Little Rock in 1957, I volunteered to go.
Within my heart I felt keenly the injustices by our Black brothers and sisters. I wanted to do what I could to bring hope into their lives. Over thirty years of my teaching profession including my years as Pastoral Coordinator at Christ the King were spent in the Black community.
I earned a BA in Philosophy & Education from DePaul University and a Masters in Religious Education from Mundelein College.
After Vatican II, I began to realize that we needed to make changes, but the community wanted to remain more traditional. In 1975, I was part of the new community founded and named Sisters of the Living Word. Emphasis on God's Word and our Mission statement challenged me to free the oppressed and give new life to all I met.
I was elected to Congregational Leadership of the Sisters of the Living word in 1982.
In 1989, Bishop Povish invited me to come to Christ the King as their first Pastoral Coordinator. I enjoyed ministering in this parish and enjoyed my ministry with the African American people. There are many opportunities for helping the "oppressed and bringing hope and new life" to many. I continued ministering as Pastoral Coordinator at Christ the King Church, Flint, Michigan until 2009. Bishop Boyea, the Bishop of the Lansing Diocese, suggested that I retire because he had a priest who could take over my place at Christ the King. Fr. Philip Schmitter succeeded me as pastor. I continued working as Director of Religious Education at the request of Fr. Schmitter until 2015 when I left Christ the King Parish in Flint to take up residence in Palatine, Illinois, living with Sister Kristine Vorenkamp and Carrie Miller. The parish gave me a wonderful send off after my 26 years of ministry at Christ the King. I treasured my years of ministry with the African American people.
From 2015 to 2017 I was involved in volunteer ministry at St. Joseph Home for the elderly in Palatine run by the Sisters of the Poor. I attended Mass there and visited with the residents. Once a week I did faith sharing with some of the residents. I also coordinated the Associate program in Arlington Heights, Illinois and nearby areas. I met with women and men who were interested in becoming Associates. Four women became Associates in 2016, and a couple more made their commitment in 2017. I see the Associates as the future of our community.
I was involved in Justice and Peace causes in this area. I helped Sr. Carrie with her families who were in need of help, including helping settle in the Syrian Family through finding household articles for their apartment. I also wrote to prison inmates, and prayed for the needs of many people. I enjoyed my time in Chicago with the Sisters in my Community. Occasionally I went to Michigan to visit my family. I am grateful to God for my health and all the spiritual beliefs that are mine through God’s love and my community.
A few days before Sister Joanne passed away her brother, Father Matt, assured her on a phone call that she has lived a wonderful life, dedicated to God. He was very sorry he could not be with her; his health prevented him. Fr. Matt would be with her in his prayer and in spirit.
Sister Joanne dealt courageously with recurring cancer and continued to be a witness of faith and inspiration until God beckoned her home.