Sr. Helen Anna Klumpp, fmm

Sr. Helen Anna Klumpp entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary June 12, 1935 at North Providence, RI. After pronouncing her first vows, Dec. 15, 1937, her first mission sending was to St. Francis Sanatorium, Roslyn now called St. Francis Hospital. There she received tutoring on setting up and running a laboratory. These were the early challenging years of the hospital. She also worked as a practical nurse.

She pronounced her final vows, Dec. 15, 1940 at Roslyn, NY and she remained in mission there until 1959. Her various ministries have been as a sacristan, receptionist, Liturgist, Religious Educator, and life guard. Her present ministry is that of prayer for the Church and the world.

In 1937 Helen’s first mission sending was to St. Francis Sanatorium, Roslyn, now called St. Francis Hospital, where she received tutoring on setting up and running a laboratory. These were the early challenging years of the hospital. She also worked as a practical nurse. Sr. Helen remained in this mission until 1959 when she was sent to O.L. of the Eucharist in Brighton. Here she served as receptionist, was involved in the Third Order of St. Francis, and used her musical talents in the liturgy. She related well with young people and was able to reach out to them during the turbulent 70s. During the summer season Helen was the lifeguard at Grace Haven, the province vacation house, utilizing her skill in swimming like the proverbial fish. She also entertained her community by dancing the Charleston.

In 1975 Helen was sent in mission to St. Francis Community, San Francisco, serving again as receptionist. From 1978 to 1982 she did pastoral work with the Navajo people at St. Michael’s, Arizona. Sent again to O.L. of the Eucharist she taught CCD, was the sacristan and involved in the Charismatic movement, relating once again with young persons.

From 1989 to 1992 she worked in the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Skilled Nursing Center and was a member of St. Michael’s Community.

She spent the year from 1992 to 1993 doing pastoral ministry in Tampa, Florida. Her next mission sending was to Trinity Community in Providence, RI where she worked part time in the Fruit Hill Day Program for Elderly until 1998.

This year, Sr. Helen celebrated her 100th birthday announcing that she “still had all of her marbles and could read without glasses.” She continues her ministry of prayer for the Church and the needs of the world.