The journey began in 2010 when Kathy Rowen and Jeanne Gatz of Omaha, Nebraska came together to bring a common inspiration to fruition. Together, they sought to erect a bronze statue of Saint Jeanne Jugan on the Creighton University campus in honor of the late Rev. Richard D. McGloin, S.J., a longtime residence hall advisor and teacher at Creighton University.
Among those in attendance were Little Sisters, Residents, Association Jeanne Jugan members, volunteers, and staff from our Jeanne Jugan Center in Kansas City. Archbishop-Emeritus Elden Curtiss was also present along with several priests, Dr. and Mrs. Edward Gatz, Kathy Rowen, families, friends, and students.
In front of the Saint Jeanne Jugan statue stands a plaque with an eloquent inscription, “On October 11, 2009, Saint Jeanne Jugan, 19th century foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor was canonized by Pope Benedict XVl. The miraculous cure of Creighton alumnus, Dr. Edward Gatz of Omaha led to the Jeanne Jugan being declared a saint of the Roman Catholic Church. It was Creighton’s Fr. Richard McGloin who had suggested that Dr. Gatz’s wife, Jeanne Gatz, also a Creighton graduate join him in seeking the intercession of Jeanne Jugan for the miracle.”
We are grateful for the dedication of Kathy, Jeanne and many others in honoring the late Fr. McGloin and making it possible for the statue of Saint Jeanne Jugan to have a perpetual presence on the campus of Creighton University.
A Celebration – Two Years in the Making