Sister Barbara Piller, OSF

Sister Barbara Piller, OSF, a member of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Oldenburg, IN, shares her story here. 

I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. My siblings and I are all musicians, thanks to my father. I was educated by the Sisters of St. Francis through my elementary and secondary education. I have been a Sister of St. Francis for 65 years. My BA is from Marian University in Indianapolis. I have master’s degree in Education from Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan.

Through the years I have been an elementary and high school teacher of music and religion. I was principal of Little Flower School in Indianapolis for three years after having taught there for seven years.

This ministry was followed by creating and directing a program of personal growth for religious women from five different congregations. I was the director of this program for five years. I then became the pastoral associate at St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis. I remained in that position for nine years. My next call was in leadership positions for the Sisters of St. Francis at Oldenburg for 18 years. For six of those 18 years I had the privilege to serve as the Congregational Minister, aka Reverend Mother. I have loved every ministry to which I was called.

From 2013 until the present my ministry has been and is Coordinator of Liturgies at our Motherhouse, director of two choirs, a vocal choir and a chime choir and spiritual director for 13 women.

Throughout my adult life I have always been involved with nonprofit organizations. I served on the Board of Directors at Oldenburg Academy for four years and the Board of Trustees at Marian University for eight years, Board of Education for Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis for three years. At present I am serving as a member of our Associate Advisory Board.

The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis received a grant from SOAR! to purchase 32 lift chairs and 21 new mattresses. The Sisters have improved sleep, which gives them greater energy to participate in community prayer, events, and volunteering. The lift chairs are reducing the risk of falls and improves the mobility of the Sisters, while providing them with a comfortable
place to relax and pray.

Sister Barbara said, “When I finish my ministry at the end of the day, I am so grateful for my relaxing chair that provides me a comfortable place for prayer and rest. Thank you SOAR! for all you do to provide for us Senior Sisters!”