Years of Loving and Sharing My Life's Journey
An Interview with Sister Emilie Marie Lesniak
"I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify him with thanksgiving." (Psalm 69:30)
Sister Emilie Marie Lesniak has been a Franciscan Sister of Chicago for 64 years. She entered religious life in 1961 and professed her vows in 1964. Sister was assigned to work in the ministry of education, and taught various subjects at Madonna High School, St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr School, and Five Holy Martyrs School. A talented piano and organ player, Sister was very active in the ministry of music. She shared her gift of music by playing the organ for the congregation during Mass and directing and performing in various choirs. She also served in leadership with the congregation as a General Councilor and Secretary. Recently Sr. Emilie Marie spent time writing her memoirs and participated in an interview for Crossroads. We thank Sister for sharing her life's story with us.
Sr. Emilie Marie Lesniak
A baby photo of Sr. Emilie Marie.
Sr. Emilie Marie with her grandpa, Stanley Wronski.
Sr. Emilie Marie was born on July 12, 1938, to Walter and Emily Lesniak at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago. Her lifelong connection to Five Holy Martyrs Parish began when she was baptized by her uncle, Fr. Francis Lesniak. Her baptismal name was Emily Marie. Her aunt Helen Wronski and her uncle Casimir Lesniak were her godparents. “I was warmly received into my loving family. My immediate family and close friends were present at my home for my baptism reception. My baby book has so many cards and notes commemorating the celebration of my baptism into the Catholic Church,” Sr. Emilie Marie said.
Sr. Emilie Marie and her parents were members of Five Holy Martyrs Parish in Chicago and attended Mass there. Five Holy Martyrs School would also hold a special place in Sister’s heart as she not only attended school there, but later served as a teacher and principal of the school. Sister has wonderful early memories of her parents and her religious upbringing. “I had a very happy childhood. My parents and I shared many precious moments together. Mom and Dad taught me about Jesus, and I learned a special prayer to my guardian angel that I would say before bed every night. Mom used to sing a song about angels when she tucked me into bed,” she said. Sister grew up as an only child but had a large extended family growing up with many aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins who lived near her. She recalls many fun times spent at the park or family gatherings, birthday, and holiday celebrations. “Every summer I went with my mom, dad, grandpa (Stanley Wronski), and Dixie, our cocker spaniel, for vacations to cottages by the lakes in Wisconsin and Minnesota. We always had a great time fishing and boating together. When the family gathered for various celebrations, I always enjoyed being with my cousins and I’m still very close to them all to this day,” she said.
When Sister started school and attended kindergarten at Five Holy Martyrs School, she began to take piano lessons at the Ella V. Eggert Piano Academy. Her talent for music was discovered when she was found playing a make-believe piano on the living room radiator cover. “Since we didn't have a piano, my mother devised a miniature cardboard piano on a shoe box which I practiced on for the first six months. I never knew how the music sounded until I went for my weekly piano lesson. Though my parents eventually purchased a new piano, my music teacher was very surprised that we didn’t have one already and couldn’t believe how quickly I picked up piano skills based on my ‘shoe box piano'. This was the beginning of the development of a God-given talent and special gift bestowed upon me. I still play the original Kimball piano that my parents purchased over 80 years ago,” she recalled. Sister would later get her Master's Degree in piano from the Ella V. Eggert Piano Academy in 1956.
An early photo of Sister fishing as a child.
Sr. Emilie Marie always looked forward to attending school at Five Holy Martyrs. She was taught by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, who had ministered at the school since 1912. They made a great impression on her with their joyfulness and kindness. "I had wonderful Franciscan Sisters who taught at Five Holy Martyrs School, and with whom I continued to keep in touch through the years; namely Sr. M. Alice Klepek (my kindergarten teacher), Sr. M. Celeste Walkowski (who prepared me for my First Holy Communion in second grade), and Sr. M. Charitas Gajdzinski (a fellow musician who became my best friend). I remember and treasure the memories of these Sisters. As I reflect back, their spirit of Franciscan joy was an inspiration for my vocation to our Franciscan community." She also enjoyed making new friends and attended all the special events held at the school. She especially loved the May Crowning devotions as they deepened her love for the Blessed Mother. “My First Holy Communion was the beginning of a growing relationship with the Lord. As a youngster, I had a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. Francis of Assisi which has continued in my life as a religious,” Sister said.
Sr. Emilie Marie's First Holy Communion photo.
After graduating from Five Holy Martyrs, she began to think about religious life. She attended Visitation High School in Chicago where she was involved in school and parish activities. When she graduated from high school in 1956, she told her parents she would like to become a religious and join the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago. “My parents were supportive but encouraged me to wait and first complete my college education. I am happy I took their advice and waited,” Sister said. She went to St. Xavier College (now University) in Chicago. At the time, St. Xavier College was a smaller school with more intimate class sizes, an aspect that Sister Emilie Marie preferred. She enjoyed bonding with other students and teachers and participated in several parish groups that only increased her desire to do more for the Lord. Upon graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education, Sister revisited the idea of answering the call to religious life, but her parents suggested she teach for one year before making a final decision.
Sr. Emilie Marie with her parents.
Sr. Emilie Marie began her search for teaching positions and shared her desire with both Sr. M. Alice and Sr. M. Charitas to teach at a Catholic school. Later that summer, she received a surprise call from Sr. M. Alice who was just appointed the principal at Five Holy Martyrs School. A teaching position was now open and Sr. M. Alice offered Sr. Emilie Marie the position of teaching first grade. Sr. Emilie Marie was thrilled and joined the teaching staff at Five Holy Martyrs school that autumn. “I loved the children and enjoyed that year immensely. I also had the opportunity to spend more time in prayer and spiritual discernment regarding my vocation with my friend Fr. Richard Jozwiak, whom I knew from Five Holy Martyrs Parish. I listened intently to the words of Jesus, and the desire to follow Him became a reality on August 27, 1961, when I entered the postulancy of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago.” As a postulant, Sr. Emilie Marie was assigned to teach religion to freshmen at Madonna High School in Chicago and also played the organ for daily Mass. “It was a challenging and rewarding year. I learned then how important it was to be faithful to God in prayer. God poured forth His love upon me in many different ways,” Sister said.
Sr. Emilie Marie with her mother on the day she became a professed Sister.
From 1962 until 1964, Sister was a novice and continued playing the organ for Mass at the Motherhouse in Lemont. It was a difficult but rewarding time for Sr. Emilie Marie as she missed family gatherings but enjoyed the companionship of all the Sisters and fellow novices. The novices lived on Our Lady of Victory campus in the Walker Mansion, also known as the “White House.” They bonded closely together as fellow religious under the direction of their Novice Director, Sr. M. Doloretta Radzienda. ”My novitiate years were priceless. The Lord took me through some trying times, but somehow always let me know that He was with me and that all things were possible with Him. I often thought of the scripture quote from Psalm 46:10, 'Be still, and know that I am God' during this time," Sister recalled.
Sr. Emilie Marie became a professed Sister on August 12, 1964. During the next three years, she lived at the Motherhouse in Lemont, Illinois, and studied at St. Francis College in Joliet, Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in music from there in 1966. She experienced a great loss later that year when her father passed away. “This was a very difficult time for me because my dad died suddenly and now I knew my mom would be left alone. Thus, I found it more difficult to leave her after visits back home and then returning back to the community. She encouraged me to return and was very supportive of me remaining in the community. I trusted God would take care of her. Mom was always a woman of prayer and deep faith and a living example of giving herself totally to the Lord,” Sister said.
From 1967 to 1969, Sr. Emilie Marie taught eighth grade at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr School in Chicago. She then returned to her home parish, Five Holy Martyrs, to teach eighth grade and serve as the music teacher and director of the Glee Club. Her mother was especially happy to have her closer to home for visits. During her time teaching, Sister attended DePaul University in Chicago and received her master’s degree in music in 1972.
After completing this degree, Sister was appointed Formation Director for the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago. “At the time I was quite content with my work at Five Holy Martyrs, especially teaching music. Somehow the Lord had other plans, and it was difficult for me to understand His will for me. Now I look back at my Formation work and can clearly see how the Lord has revealed His plan for me and I praise and thank Him. The opportunities for spiritual growth were awesome,” she said. She loved working with the young people in Formation as it helped her find God in everyday encounters. She cites a turning point in her life when she made her first directed retreat under the direction of Sr. Anne Fletcher, RC. at the Warrenville Cenacle. “The Lord touched me deeply and I grew because of His power working in my life.” During this time, she worked with her longtime friend, Fr. Richard Jozwiak, whom she had known since the 1950's. Fr. Richard served at Five Holy Martyrs parish and was the chaplain of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary. "We worked together forming a choral group and a Teen Society. I enjoyed working with all of these groups. Fr. Richard helped me spiritually and was my lifelong friend. We also shared a love for music. When he was called to his eternal reward in 2005, I played the organ at his funeral Mass. I have happy memories of our friendship throughout the years."
Sr. Emilie Marie with Bishop Alfred Abramowicz on her graduation day from DePaul University.
Sr. Emilie Marie with Fr. Richard Jozwiak
Sr. Emilie Marie smiles behind the cockpit before she gets a chance to fly.
One of Sister Emilie Marie’s childhood dreams was to fly an airplane. Her first opportunity to be a passenger in an airplane came when she graduated from college and flew to California with her friend Dorothy. Sister loved the experience and flew more times after that. Eventually, she got the opportunity to be an actual pilot. Sr. M. Sponsa Bajorek’s nephew-in-law, Bob Russo, was a pilot for United Airlines and would come to Our Lady of Victory Convent to visit Sr. M. Sponsa. On one occasion, Sr. Emilie Marie told him about her dream to fly a plane. He owned his own four-passenger plane and offered to give Sister a flying lesson. They set a date and she and Sr. M. Sponsa, along with Sr. M. Sponsa's niece Sherry and nephew-in-law Bob, flew out of Lewis Airport in Romeoville, Illinois. They flew over Lemont and were low enough to see the quarries and lakes and the Motherhouse. At first Sr. Emilie Marie was the co-pilot, but Bob showed her the controls and eventually she took over and flew the plane to Chicago along Lake Michigan. They were up in the air for nearly three hours. It was quite a memorable experience and Sister loved it.
Throughout the years of her religious life, Sister would often spend vacations with her high school friend, Dorothy Reed. They would take trips together and traveled along the west coast from San Diego to Vancouver. She has fond memories of these trips. Sr. Catherine Jean Hayen, BVM., from Dubuque, Iowa, was another close friend. In 1980, they met at the Warrenville Cenacle during a 30-day directed retreat. Their friendship continued and they would spend fun holidays together such as July 4th and Memorial Day weekends. "Both Dorothy and Sr. Catherine Jean were my best friends for over 40 years. Whether it was praying together or sharing our life experiences, we had wonderful times together. Both are now enjoying their heavenly reward."
In 1980, Sr. Emilie Marie returned to Five Holy Martyrs to serve as principal. She also was the choir director and helped organize the student musical productions. Sister was happy to return to her home school and live near her mother, and spend more time with her. Sadly, her mother was called to her heavenly reward in 1983. Sr. Emilie Marie says her faith helped her through this hard time. “Moving back to Chicago was part of God’s plan and I thank God for letting me live close to my mother during her final years.” Sister served at Five Holy Martyrs School until 1988. In 1983, Sr. Emilie Marie was appointed Director of the FSC Associate Program. She held this position for 16 years.
Sr. Emilie Marie with Sr. Catherine Jean Hayen
Sr. Emilie Marie's high school friend Dorothy Reed.
In 1980, Sr. Emilie Marie returned to Five Holy Martyrs to serve as principal. She also was the choir director and helped organize the student musical productions. Sister was happy to return to her home school and live near her mother, and spend more time with her. Sadly, her mother was called to her heavenly reward in 1983. Sr. Emilie Marie says her faith helped her through this hard time. “Moving back to Chicago was part of God’s plan and I thank God for letting me live close to my mother during her final years.” Sister served at Five Holy Martyrs School until 1988. In 1983, Sr. Emilie Marie was appointed Director of the FSC Associate Program. She held this position for 16 years.
After serving in education, Sr. Emilie Marie was called back to Lemont to serve on the leadership team. She was elected General Councilor/Secretary. Sister had a hard time leaving her students whom she loved and missed dearly, but accepted the new challenge. “It was an honor to serve in leadership with the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago,” Sister said. She was reelected in 1993 and then went on to serve as General Councilor again from 2003 to 2018. She also continued in the music ministry at St. Patricia Church in Hickory Hills, Illinois, and served as choir director and organist for Sunday Masses, weddings, and funerals. During this time, she continued in leadership as a Local Minister at Our Lady of Victory Convent (2002-2005). Sister also served on the Boards of Directors at St. Joseph Village, Madonna High School, Mount Alverna Village, St. Jude House and Franciscan Village.
Sr. Emilie Marie with the St. Patricia Church choir.
Sr. Emilie Marie is also a member of the National Pastoral Musicians Association (NPM) and the Chicago chapter of the NPM. She would attend conventions every year that were held in different states. "Every convention was attended by thousands of musicians, clergy, and others for learning, prayer, singing and support for one another in the music ministry. I met many new friends from all over the world. We bonded every year and continued to share enriching experiences. Presently we still keep in touch," she said.
For recreation, Sr. Emilie Marie loves to bowl. She's been an avid bowler since she was a teenager. "It's one of my favorite sports and I love the camaraderie with my fellow bowlers." Sister also loves nature and walking around the grounds of Our Lady of Victory Convent in Lemont. "Living in Lemont now for over 35 years has been a blessing that has provided many enriching spiritual and physical experiences. Our beautiful surroundings give me time for prayer and reflection throughout the four seasons." Currently, Sister Emilie Marie continues to share her gift of music, serving as the Music Minister for the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago at Our Lady of Victory Convent in Lemont. “When I look back on my music career, I realize the joy it brings to not only me but to others as well. I feel blessed that God has given me this gift.” We thank Sr. Emilie Marie for sharing her story with us. Sister has written a reflection entitled "A Night to Remember" that she wrote during a New Years Eve retreat at the Warrenville Cenacle.
Sr. Emilie Marie with friends from the NPM.
Sr. Emilie Marie with her first place bowling team.
A Night to Remember
On the last eve of the old year, I sit by the fireplace in the White House of the Warrenville Cenacle and listen to its crackling sounds. The warmth and light from the flames reflect God’s love for me. Memories…memories…linger in my heart of times past as I watch the fire burn brightly and feel its warmth. The sparks fly like shooting stars touching the lives of those around me. Smoke rises up like incense in prayer. The coals lie on the holy ground all aglow – each piece radiating God’s love. I feel the strength of the iron rods that hold the logs. My heart is aglow like these logs with their dancing flames. Dance, flames, dance! My heart is filled with His living flame of love and I feel His peace within me. The logs now burn to ashes that lie on the holy ground. The past is history … with loving memories. My heart burns with His love like the flames of fire into the mystery of tomorrow – the New Year. All I have is the present – the gift of His love that I hold in my heart.
– Sr. Emilie Marie Lesniak, December 31, 1996