DUBUQUE — Sister Mary Therese Krueger, PBVM, formerly of Davenport, professed vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as a Sister of the Presentation on Oct. 14, in Sacred Heart Chapel, Mount Loretto, in Dubuque.
Scripture from the prophet Micah 6:8 was the theme for Sr. Krueger’s celebration: Seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Father Ross Epping, parochial vicar of St. John Vianney Parish in Bettendorf and a St. Ambrose University classmate of Sr. Krueger, presided at the liturgy.
During the liturgy, Presentation Sister Elena Hoye shared that “religious life calls us to responsibility, to caring, to non-violence.” She described each vow and how it related to the new Presentation sister’s life. Sr. Hoye assured Sr. Krueger of the prayers and presence of God and of her various communities. “We pray that you become a zealot … that you always stand in solidarity with the poor, and the marginalized and that you become a voice for the voiceless, a voice of the voiceless God,” Sr. Hoye said.
During the Rite of Profession, members of the Presentation community gave testimony to Sr. Krueger’s commitment to justice, prayer and community. Congregational leader Sister Julianne Brockamp examined Sr. Krueger’s readiness to profess vows; the congregation responded to the Litany of Saints. Sr. Krueger professed and signed her vows and received a symbol of her profession as a Sister of the Presentation.
Currently living in Chicago, Sr. Krueger is enrolled in graduate studies at Catholic Theological Union and is working as a physical therapist at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill.
Her parents, Deacon James Krueger and Ann Krueger, live in Villa Park, Ill., in the Diocese of Joliet. Sr. Krueger received her early education in Villa Park. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Doctorate in Physical Therapy at St. Ambrose University.
During her year as a canonical novice, Sr. Krueger volunteered in Dubuque at Opening Doors Ministry for homeless women and children and at Presentation Lantern Center, a drop-in center offering hospitality, educational opportunities and advocacy to adult immigrants, especially women.
Her call to religious life was inspired by the example of her parents, her Catholic education, participation in high school youth group, St. Ambrose University campus ministry, and a young adult group after college, she said. “I discovered God was calling me to be the best version of myself in a place where I could live a life of service, living in community, and supported through communal prayer with the Presentation sisters.”
She became acquainted with the Presentation community through Sister Rita Cameron at St. Ambrose and participated with the sisters on a service trip to New Orleans. “When I observed the sisters in New Orleans responding to the needs of the people, with love and friendship, I knew my life would never be the same.”