Sister Julia Huelskamp PHJC

Sister Julia Huelskamp, Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ died on Sunday, October 28, 2018 in the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. She was born in Breese, Illinois on December 24, 1933 to Joseph and Eleanor (Foppe) Huelskamp who preceded her in death along with her brothers, Herman, Gerald, Dennis, Jerome, Erwin, Lawrence and her sister Geraldine Luebbers. She was the sixth child of 13 children. Sister Julia is survived by her brothers David and Thomas and sisters Rose Saufnauer, Eleanor Fiascone, Lorine Wikman and Joseph Benoff.
As far back as she could remember, Sister Julia wanted to be a Sister. She entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Congregation as a novice in 1952 and professed her first vows in 1954. The PHJC charism of simplicity, hospitality and attentive listening to God made Sister Julia very comfortable. She said, “I can be my best self in our community. Our community values are much the same as the values I grew up with in my own family.”
Sister Julia graduated with a B.S. in Home Economics from Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI and received her master’s degree in Biology from St. Mary College in Winona, MN. She was a teacher at St. Mark School, Gary, IN; St. Mary School, East Chicago, IN; St. John the Baptist School, Quincy, IL; and Bishop Dwenger High School, Fort Wayne, IN. She served in child care and as a high school teacher at Angel Guardian Orphanage in Chicago. She also served as Coordinator of Group Homes at Young House in Burlington, IA and at Boys Hope in Evanston, IL. She was the Food Service Director at St. Joseph’s Carondelet, Chicago. Sr. Julia served as a member of the PHJC Provincial Leadership Team and also lovingly cared for many Poor Handmaid Sisters as the local Leader at Catherine Kasper Home from 1998-2006. She continued ministering at the PHJC Motherhouse as a volunteer for Hospice and enjoyed her favorite pastime of quilting and working on puzzles. When reflecting back on her service, Sister Julia said, “I met many challenges with every position I had. I thank God for all my experiences and feel each experience prepared me for the next. I have trusted the Holy Spirit to guide and direct me.” Sister Julia moved to the Catherine Kasper Home on August 1, 2018.
Visitation will be held in the Ancilla Domini Chapel at the Center at Donaldson, Indiana on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 from 4:30 – 8:00 p.m. EDT. A Prayer Service will be held that same evening at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated in the Ancilla Domini Chapel at the Center at Donaldson, Indiana on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 11:00 am EDT.
Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, Indiana 46513 or on www.poorhandmaids.org.