Last night, we participated in Ringing Springfield - a nightly sign of unity during this pandemic that gives thanks to healthcare workers and first responders. This is an initiative of James O. Langfelder, mayor of Springfield, IL, who appealed to the churches and other places of worship in Springfield to ring bells or show other audio levels of support at 7 p.m. every evening for one minute beginning Sunday, April 12.

In this one minute video you will hear the bell in the south tower of our St. Francis of Assisi Church. If you listen closely, you will also hear the ringing of small bells - coming from the Sisters in their residence.

 

In a show of unity during this pandemic, along with giving thanks to healthcare workers and first responders, James O. Langfelder, mayor of Springfield, Illinois, is appealing to the churches and other places of worship in Springfield to ring bells or show other audio levels of support at 7 p.m. every evening for one minute beginning Sunday, April 12. The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis will participate by ringing the bell in the south tower of St. Francis of Assisi Church. Mayor Landfelder is also asking residents to ring bells from their homes as a sign of collective support and encouragement.

"During this unprecedented time, we have a group of professionals who go to work every day to provide help and assistance to others," Mayor Langfelder stated. "Our healthcare workers and first responders are our first point of contact for our residents and others in need. They do this day-in and day-out, despite the possibility of coming into contact with the coronavirus. This week especially is a time of new beginnings. It is a moment to reflect, renew, and celebrate our lives. Even though, as a community, we are socially distancing ourselves, we can become closer in other ways including volunteerism, community-inspiration and faith," he added.

Sister Augusta Sperl, OSF died on Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 4:22 p.m. at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, IL.

Sister Augusta, the former Bernadine Elizabeth Sperl, was born in Springfield, IL, on March 8, 1923, the daughter of August and Elizabeth (Beckman) Sperl. She entered the Congregation on September 8, 1939 and professed her religious vows on October 4, 1942.

Sister Augusta graduated from St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield, IL in 1945. In her professional life, Sister served as a nurse, medical records librarian, administrator, pastoral care director and volunteer at HSHS hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin. Specifically, she served as Administrator and Superior of St. Nicholas Hospital (Sheboygan, WI) from 1969-1976 and as Director of Pastoral Care, and later as a volunteer, at Sacred Heart Hospital (Eau Claire, WI) from 1977-2005. Sister Augusta retired from active duty in 2005 and returned to the Motherhouse in Springfield, IL.

In addition to her parents and step mother, Marcella Sperl, she was preceded in death by a brother, Father August Sperl, and a sister, Lucille Kuchar. She is also preceded in death by two half-brothers: James and Robert Sperl and a half-sister, Patricia Ratterree.

She is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for over 80 years.

Private services will be held on Monday, April 6, 2020. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

To read her feature story from 2010, please click here.

Staab Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Out of an abundance of caution concerning the Corona virus (COVID-19), the Chiara Center, St. Francis of Assisi Church, and St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel will be closed to visitors from March 16 through April 30. Our plan is to revisit to revisit the status of the pandemic by April 27.

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