From left, Mother Barbara Johnson, Mother Miriam Seiferman, Sister Raffaella Petrini, Sister Clare Hunter, Sister Mary Elizabeth Endee and Sister Veronica Schueler gather around the Guardian Chimes to greet the Community immediately following the elections.
MERIDEN, CT (07-18-2023) – The General Chapter of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist announces the election of the Mother General, Vicar General and General Council to serve the Community for the next six years.
The Chapter delegates gathered for the election the afternoon of July 17 following three days of prayerful retreat.
Mother Miriam Seiferman was elected Mother General for a second term and Mother Barbara Johnson will serve as Vicar General, also for a second term. First Councilor is Sister Veronica Schueler; Second Councilor is Sister Mary Elizabeth Endee; Sister Raffaella Petrini and Sister Clare Hunter were elected as Third and Fourth Councilors, respectively.
Mother Barbara, a licensed marriage and family therapist, is the Executive Director of the Franciscan Life Center, Meriden, and formator of novices and temporary professed Sisters. Sister Veronica, a member of the Bridal Veil, Oregon, center, and a lawyer by profession, is Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Portland. Sister Mary Elizabeth is Director and marriage and family therapist for the Franciscan Life Center as well as vocation director for the Community and director of pre-postulants. Sister Raffaella lives with the Rome Community and serves as the Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State. Sister Clare is Assistant Professor of Theology at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, Florida, where she lives in Community with her follow Franciscan Sisters who also work at the seminary.
Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Mother Co-foundress, center, stands with the newly elected Sisters, from left, Sister Raffaella Petrini, Sister Mary Elizabeth Endee, Mother Barbara Johnson, Mother Shaun, Mother Miriam Seiferman, Sister Clare Hunter and Sister Veronica Schueler.