A Look at the Holocaust and Catholic Lives Sanctified Through the Ultimate Sacrifice

MILWAUKEE - Sept. 10, 2018 - PRLog -- Horrors of the Holocaust and the courage of those who sacrificed everything for peace have been documented in countless ways. Now a compelling presentation about two Catholic martyrs of that dark time will be offered on Saturday, October 13, from 9 a.m. to 11.15 a.m., on the School Sisters of St. Francis' south side campus.

The workshop titled "So That Others May Live" will give us time to reflect on the forbearance and strength of St. Edith Stein, a Jewish convert to Catholicism, and Willi Graf, a medical student. While both suffered unimaginably under the brutality of the Nazi regime, the invincibility of their personal faith life has earned them a hallowed place in the annals of heroism and nonviolent civil disobedience.

Through a short film, slides, and dramatization, the audience will be taken back to 1930s and '40s Germany. The vulnerability of citizens who dared defy their government will be made palpable, with the aid of our two distinguished speakers. Sister Mary Carroll, OSF, D. Min., and Stephani Richards-Wilson, Ph.D., Ed.D., are not only beloved educators in the Milwaukee area, but also authors of books about the lives of saints and prophets.

Sister Mary is professor emerita at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, where she was professor of systematic studies and associate director of pastoral formation. She is currently working on a book titled "Spiritual Jewels in a Darkened Church" about the four female Doctors of the Church.

An expert in leadership studies, Stephani is the director of graduate business programs at Alverno College, but surprisingly also has a Ph.D. in German. Her doctoral dissertation on Willi Graf led to her authoring the first biography ever written about him in the English language.

Stein and Graf's concern for humankind transcends time and space. Their ultimate sacrifice teaches us today that only with love for God and neighbor can malevolence be undone.

The workshop fee is $10. Write checks to:  School Sisters of St. Francis Outreach Events, c/o Donna O'Loughlin; 1501 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53215. Contact:  doloughlin@sssf.org or 414-385-5272.

St. Joseph Center is located on the corner of Greenfield Avenue and Layton Blvd. (27^th Street). Due to construction on Greenfield Avenue, easiest access is via Layton Blvd., taking Lapham St. west to 29^th St. Convenient free parking is available in the St. Joseph Center lot at 29^th St. and Orchard St.

About the School Sisters of St. Francis

The School Sisters of St. Francis are an international community of Catholic sisters who unite with others to build a just and peaceful world. Founded in 1874, they now have sisters, associates, staff, donors and volunteers actively working to address the needs of those who are poor and marginalized by society. Their mission is thriving throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America and India. In the U.S., School Sisters live and minister in 15 states, addressing needs in education, holistic wellness and healing, pastoral ministry, spiritual growth, social justice, and the arts. For more information about the School Sisters of St. Francis, please visit www.sssf.org.