Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration celebrate 2025 jubilarians

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin - Three Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration with ties to the Diocese of Sioux City are celebrating their religious jubilees: Sisters Nancy Hoffman, Carrie Kirsch and Carol Hanus.

Sister Nancy and Sister Carrie are celebrating 60 years and Sister Carol is marking 50 years of religious life.
 
Sister Nancy Hoffman, born in Carroll, holds a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in theology and certification in spiritual direction and massage therapy. She served as an elementary school teacher for nine years in schools in La Crosse (St. James) as well as West Bend and Cedar Rapids. Sister Nancy then served as FSPA Director of Novices for four years before moving to teach at St. Lawrence Catholic School in Carroll, which she did for 16 years. 

In 1994 she became a founding member of Prairiewoods Spirituality Center in Hiawatha and began ministering there as Director of Land Development and Management and engaged in holistic modalities that include massage therapy. 

Today Sister Nancy engages in massage therapy and spiritual direction, and also volunteers in caring for Prairiewoods’ land.
 
Sister Caroline (Carrie) Kirsch was also born in Carroll. Her family, Nick and MaryAnn Kirsch, were members of the Holy Angels Parish in Roselle. She attended Holy Angels Grade School and Kuemper High School in Carroll as well as Viterbo College (now known as Viterbo University) in La Crosse, Wisconsin. 

Sister Carrie ministered as a middle school teacher in Carroll (St. Lawrence, Holy Spirit), Bellevue (St. Joseph) and St. Lucas (St. Luke) for 16 years. She then served in high school religious education and youth ministry in rural parishes of Calmar, Webster City and Cummings (St. Pat’s) for 13 years. 

After a sabbatical, Sister Carrie began a 12-year ministry with Discovery Living in Cedar Rapids as a community living assistant. In 2007 she moved to minister as a pastoral caregiver at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse, where she served until 2015. Today Sister Carrie serves as FSPA Chapel Tour Coordinator at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse.

Sister Carol Hanus, a native of Sioux City, has served as director of faith formation at the Church of the Crucifixion, in La Crescent, Minnesota, until 2010, and becoming a pastoral associate and spiritual director at St. Mary Catholic Church in Milton, Wisconsin, in 2011. In 2016 she moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, to serve as pastoral minister and spiritual director at the Church of St. Francis de Sales. While continuing to serve at St. Francis de Sales, Sister Carol joined the retreat team at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, Minnesota, in January 2024. She continues both ministries at this time.
 
Based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration are women religious engaged in furthering the work of the Catholic Church and the Gospel. Their partners in ministry, including affiliates and prayer partners, join them in service of God's mission. The sisters work in the United States and internationally in varied ministries, collaborating to minister in areas of greatest need, living the Gospel through contemplation and action. Visit FSPA online at fspa.org.