Felician Sisters of the Southwest
Women Owning Radical Dreams
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Once upon a time there was a young girl taught by Felician Sisters from Detroit, Michigan. She wanted to be a sister, but God called her to the married life instead. She raised eight children - three girls and four boys. The vocation she thought she had, was to be her daughter's - Leona Ann Lewandowski who was born in Ashton, Nebraska.
Sister Agnes has taught all grades - K-8, both in the public and Catholic school sector. She is also an accomplished organist and directs the liturgical life of
Provincial House in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Now her
"notes" wing daily to Jesus and Mary through music.
In eighth grade Sister Bernadette from Chicago would have the children knee on the altar platform in the chapel to pray for vocations. Leona decided to write a "note" to the BVM about a vocation. Her friend, Annette, hoisted her up so she could slip the "note" under the statue. It wasn't until Holy Week that Sister found the note and called Leona's parents. So...the journey started to the Felician way of life. Leona applied and was accepted to the Mother of Good Counsel Aspirancy August 9, 1939. She entered the convent four years later and eventually received the name Sister Mary Agnetis, which she later changed to Sister Agnes Marie. She loves the name because it refers to Jesus, the Lamb of God.
Leona had a mixture of public and Catholic education. In fifth and sixth grade she stayed with her Aunt Eleanor
and grandmother, Rosalia in Loop City, Nebraska to attend
a Catholic School. In seventh and eighth grade she was able
to attend school with the Felicians right in Ashton. She loved
to run over to the convent and visit with the sisters on their
porch. Her vocation was budding.
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