Sr. Rosanne Fox comforted the afflicted and afflicted the comfortable

Downtown parishes, like the Church of the Assumption in St. Paul and St. Olaf in Minneapolis have a special ministry as those who need the basics; food, clothing and shelter, surround them. To their credit these churches respond commendably.

Sr. Rosanne Fox, CSJ, was the designated hitter for this important ministry at St. Olaf and she took it to heart. Rosie as she was affectionately known, grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota located in Renville County, north of Franklin in Brandon township, named by her great grandfather for his beloved town that he had left in Ireland.

Whip-smart and resourceful she was educated by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Bird Island, Minn. and graduated at 16. She entered the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet and was educated at St. Catherine’s College. After teaching and serving as principal in several schools in both the metro and Greater Minnesota, and receiving an MA in counseling from Loyola University in Chicago in 1971, she began a 34 year ministry at St. Olaf Church.

In 1974 she received the DIANA Award from Epsilon Sigma Alpha International, and in 1998 the “Distinguished Irish Woman of the Year” award, recognizing her as an exemplary champion for the poor, whose daily life embodied inspiring qualities of love, faith and courage.

In her St. Olaf ministry to those in need Rosie used her incredible energy and her network, as she called on many former students and contacts to bring together the resources necessary to provide help.

She was a successful fund – raiser mainly because she never heard “no” and moved forward hearing only “yes.” Her fundraising connected community leaders with the needy in a personal way, as she told the stories of the displaced. Rosie was a modern-day Robin Hood, using her charm and grace to encourage those who had resources to share with those who did not.

“It was rare that Sr. Rosanne could not help somebody who came to her in need. She would marshal the necessary people she knew, and ask them to help her out. She would not take no for an answer. She always asked with a smile on her face but determination in her voice. Because she persisted with grace, people responded to her, the need was met and people were served” said Rev. Patrick Kennedy, St. Olaf pastor.

Along with the CSJ’s and friends her family were inducted into the Rosie army, providing clothing, household items and whatever was needed. This call to duty was edifying for the family and provided an opportunity to be of service in a personal way. Long-term relationships were forged between the family and especially members of Rose’s beloved native community that Rosie identified with and valued.

It is difficult to say who benefited the most from these relationships.

Together with Rosie we attended the Native Catholic Church of Gichitwaa Kateri in Minneapolis for special harvest celebrations, community baptisms and other calendar based ceremonies significant to the Native community. We all learned from each other. Family was also critical in helping tend the amazing gardens Rosie had planted all over town to feed those who needed feeding. She promoted the locavore movement long before it was popular.

She also created a home-like atmosphere at St. Olaf where the matching of supplies to needs was done, which fed the spirit of those who were helped. Her ministry, most importantly provided hope that there were better days ahead and her indomitable spirit convinced everyone that it was true.

Family and friends gathered in early August at St. Olaf church to honor her passing on May 15, and to participate in the dedication of the Samaritan Ministry at St. Olaf church in Sr. Rosanne Fox ’s name. The plaque that will be placed in the Samaritan Hall reads:

SISTER ROSANNE FOX, CSJ PASTORAL MINISTER 1972-2006

Sister Rosanne Samaritan Hall This hall is dedicated in honor of Sr. Rosanne Fox, CSJ, who served on the pastoral staff at St. Olaf from 1972- 2006. Her wise leadership and compassion for those in need established the now decades-long legacy of Samaritan Ministry in this parish.

Like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29ff), Sr. Rosanne marshalled the necessary resources to ease the burdens of others by instilling hope and called the wider community to care and show mercy as followers of Jesus Christ. May all who enter this hall experience the unrelenting love of God as demonstrated by the faithful witness of Sr. Rosanne Fox, CSJ.

Dedicated July 29, 2018, Feast of St. Olaf

In her own words, Rosie said, “There are so many more things we should be doing to help raise the social consciousness of people, to make them aware of injustices of the poor.” The torch has been passed and the challenge has been thrown down for all of us to honor Rosie’s spirit as we remember the light she cast and the shadows she dispelled from so many lives.