Mother Shaun Vergauwen elected Mother General

ROME (07-17-2005) - Mother Shaun Vergauwen, FSE, former Vicar General, was elected Mother General of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist at the order's General Chapter of Elections held in Rome. Mother Miriam Seiferman, FSE, was elected as Vicar General. Mother Shaun is the second person to serve as Mother General. Mother Rosemae Pender, Foundress, has served in that capacity since the first election.

Four councilors were elected as follows: Sister Suzanne Gross, First Councilor; Sister Mary Ann Schmitz, Second Councilor; Sister Agnese Hutchinson, Third Councilor; and Sister Barbara Johnson, Fourth Councilor.

In a ceremony for the transfer of authority, Mother Rosemae Pender, presented Mother Shaun Vergauwen with a rock symbolizing the foundation of the community in union with the Rock of Peter, the Holy See. Mother Rosemae explained that the rock is a reminder to "remember the rock from which we were hewn."

Mother Miriam Seiferman, FSE, newly elected Vicar General. From left, Sister Agnese Hutchinson, Sister Suzanne Gross, Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Mother Miriam Seiferman, Sister Mary Ann Schmitz, Sister Barbara Johnson.

(L to r) Mother Rosemae Pender, FSE, Mother Foundress, and Mother Shaun Vergauwen, FSE, newly elected Mother General.