Sr. Jeanne Conzemius (Submitted photo)
Sr. Jeanne Conzemius, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, has been hired in a new position for the cluster serving the Rice Lake, Haugen and Birchwood churches – director of Stewardship and Mission.
In addition to an elementary education degree, she holds various certifications; pertinent to the new role are those in development education, fundraising, communications, global social analysis and community organizing. Conzemius formerly worked as development director for St. Joseph’s Parish and led efforts to raise $1 million for church renovations. She has also played the piano for Mass for many years. The new position entails overseeing parish and school stewardship efforts.
She has lived on Heart Island in Rice Lake for almost 27 years; she lives with Sr. Claudine Balio, who teaches at the St. Joseph’s School. The property is comprised of Benjamin’s House Emergency Shelter and the Heart Island Family Enrichment Center, which are overnight and short-term shelter facilities.
“I’m looking forward to working with people … the various committees and groups to work together to birth a new vision,” she said. She has already been meeting with trustees, council and committee chairs listening to their needs and hopes, “What do they see? What do they see is needed? What are they hoping for from me? And how can we work together to create what needs to happen here?”
