Andre Feulner, SSJ 70 Years

Home Parish:     St. George, Erie
Entered Sisters of St. Joseph: 1955 
Final Profession: 1961

Sister Andre Feulner recalls being influenced by Maryknoll magazine while in college.  She felt a missionary call and went to the Sisters of St. Joseph, who were closer to home. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1955 from St. George Parish in Erie, and professed her final vows in 1961. Being a Sister enabled her to live the Gospel and ultimately fulfill her missionary call.

She graduated from Villa Maria Academy, received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Villa Maria College, and a Master of Arts in Mathematics from the University of Detroit in Detroit, MI. She took additional mathematics courses at the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL, and Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She received certification in Spiritual Direction and Formation Work from St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO, through the Institute for Religious Formation Program. She was trained in the direction of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola at Colombiere Retreat Center in Clarkston, MI, and later served on its staff.

Sister André taught in several Diocesan schools, including Holy Rosary, St. Ann, Villa Maria Elementary, St. Andrew, and Villa Maria Academy Schools in Erie. Additionally, she taught at St Mary’s in Reynoldsville, PA; St. Agatha High School in Meadville, PA; and St. Francis High School in Clearfield, PA.

She participated in the first Institute of Religious Formation of St. Louis University, which led her to formation ministry. She served many individuals as a spiritual director and gave retreats and workshops at retreat centers and religious communities throughout the U.S and in Canada. Sister Andre and Barbara Becnel, OSU, developed a camping retreat in the Allegheny National Forest based on the principles of creation and the universe story. She served as Novice Director for her congregation and as the first Director at the Centre of Spirituality of Erie. She worked for the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph and served on its Formation Committee. She was a Pastoral Animator in a remote parish in the Labrador Diocese in St Augustine, Quebec, Canada. Sr. André is a skilled basket weaver and has conducted many programs around sharing the craft with others as a part of her ministry.

Sister André was a founding board member of Ecclesia Center and Avila House and served on the Shankar Service Foundation board.

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