How Did This Project Begin?

Who am I, and how did this project begin?
I am a Health Science Librarian based at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh,WI.  A few years ago, we were celebrating a milestone in our hospital's history, and wanted to honor the Sisters who made an impact here in Oshkosh.   Part of my job is to tend and curate my hospital's history and local archives. However, on this particular question, our archives contained very little about any individual Sister's contributions : Prior to Vatican II, it was all about the Community, service to the poor and to God.  Even the nun's habits as a uniform made them all look alike.  No one was supposed to stand out or be full of pride about their accomplishments.

The Sisters have their headquarters and retirement home here in Oshkosh, WI.  When I found that out, I thought, "Someone should go over there and interview those ladies and get this all documented."  Then I thought, "Well, why don't YOU (meaning me) do it?"   So I happened to be talking about this pipe dream project with my hairdresser who just happened to volunteer with the nuns in her off-time.  She helped me make some valuable connections with Irene Hans and  Sr. Raphael.  After 2 meetings to flesh out the scope of the project, we pulled in Father Bill Kuhr who was the Chaplain working with the Sisters at Franciscan Courts.  He'd been doing some great work scrap booking with the Sisters, so he knew who had some great stories to tell and wold be able to help me draw the stories out of the Sisters.  Father Bill was instrumental in setting up the sessions and helping the sisters feel comfortable with the project, and he knew what questions to ask.   After a while, I was able to do the interviews by myself.

Interviews typically last about 1 hour.

We use the recommended questions from Story Corps (along with a few others) as a starting place, although the Sisters can talk about anything they want to remember.  Some come with notes and a script and some are much more at ease.

Questions to think about :

• Where and when were you born?
• When did you decide to join the SSM Community?
• What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?
• What are you most proud of?
• What was the happiest moment of your life?
• The saddest?
• Is there something about yourself that you think no one knows?
• How would you like to be remembered?
• Do you have a dream that was never fulfilled?
• If we were never to meet again, what would you want me to know about you? 
• In looking back on your life, what is your “defining story?”  What is the story that you use to restore yourself to a sense of purpose and worth and that makes your life worth living?

Other possible topics :

            Childhood Years                              Grandparents / Parents

            Young Adult Years                          Friendships

            Adult Years                                       Life Passion(s)

            Regrets                                              Turning Points

            Travels                                               Difficult Decisions

            Memorable Gifts                               Nick-names / Names

            Favorite Places                                ?????

                        Anything you’d like to talk about …

See the Project Invitation for more specifics.