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Growing up in a Roman Catholic family, attending parochial schools most of my life, and now seeing the religious history of my ancestors, I wanted to take a small space here to honor those who devoted their life to our religious communities. The following pages include a brief biography for many of them. If you have any information to add, please contact me.
The PRIESTS
Sister M Calazanza (Philomena Romenesko) Granddaughter of Joseph Romenesko 8/3/1876-5/7/1960
Entered: September 7, 1897 Received: September 6, 1899 Professed: July 31, 1902 Final Vows: July 22, 1909
"You would make a wonderful hospital nurse, Philomena." This praise from her fatally ill mother, gave Sister M. Calasanza the first thought of giving herself to a special work as a religious. Six years later, at twenty-one, Philomena was compelled to come to terms with herself while meditating on Christ's vivid condemnation of tepidity. Desiring to do a positive work in the Church, Philomena made the necessary contacts and with the guidance of Sister Mary Leopoldine, the superior at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay, entered the candidature in Milwaukee.
Making known her desire for the nursing profession, Novice Mary Calasanza hoped that her superior would consider such an assignment for her. Sister tells us however, that she learned a valuable and enduring Novitiate lesson in Our Lady's recommendation, "Do whatever He tells you," and received with true joy the obedience that sent her to the classroom.
From first to last, Sister cherished her vocation as she herself relates. For more than 50 years Sister was a better than average teacher. Every child in her classroom was her big concern. She would not spare herself in serving these little ones and in particular her First Communicants.
When Sister was working at St. Joseph's Home in Green Bay, her health and eye-sight failed to such an extent that she was forced to give up school work. Nevertheless, her assignment as refectorian for the Sisters at the home revealed the same attention to the individual wants and needs of her Sisters. She took care to keep a late dinner hot and to serve it with a smile. Her community of these days remember her pleasant. polite and cheerful demeanor.
During an active 57 years of service, Sister was stationed at: St. John Kanty, Chicago; St. Francis, De Pere; Our Lady of Lourdes, Dobie; St. Michael, Milwaukee; St. Luke, Gary; and St. Joseph Home, Green Bay.
In 1955, Sister retired to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mount Calvary, Wisconsin and as age made more demands on her feeble strength, was transferred to Notre Dame Infirmary, Elm Grove as a patient in 1959.
Always trying to avoid burdening others, Sister got around at the infirmary as best she could, but unhappily fell and broke her arm. This accident confined Sister to her room or to a wheelchair and after a bout with the flu during the ensuing winter months, Sister gradually grew very weak. On April 22 Extreme Unction was administered and on May 6, Sister prepared to welcome the angel of death. About 3:20 a.m., Monsignor Rodenkirch, Mother Annunciata, Sister's niece, Sister M. Josepha and the nurses, witnessed the quiet, peaceful exit of Sister's soul. Sister had a special devotion to our Sorrowful Mother, daily saying her chaplet. By a strange coincidence, Sister now lies buried near the 13th Station of the cross in the Elm Grove cemetery.
A child of God from within twenty-four hours of her birth, this first generation American citizen spent her formative years in the quiet little village of Freedom, Wisconsin. Her parents, Gerhard Romenesco and Theresa Hagel were staunch old-world Catholics. Little is actually known of Sister's early life. She attended the two room village school where she first learned to know and love our Sisters. A prominent doctor in Green Bay always mentions Sister as his mother's hired girl who helped to bring him up. He attests that, "Some of the dearest memories of my childhood are linked with good Sister Mary Calasanza."
Her long life of conformity to God's will and loving care for His children, have no doubt earned her an everlasting reward. May Sister Mary Calasanza intercede for our loved Order and send many girls with the measure of her love to serve God and our Blessed Mother as she did. May she rest in peace."
Sister M. Benedict Ryan (Catharine Aurelia Ryan) Great Grandaughter of Martin Powers 9/14/1890-5/4/1981 Received into the order 6/29/1919, professed vows 6/30/1920
Sister Benedict Ryan died May 4, 1981 at St. Dominic Villa, succumbing to a gradual physical decline. She was ninety years old and in the 61st year of her religious profession.
Born in Turlock, California September 14, 1890, Catherine was the daughter of' Catherine Gleason of Tipperary, Ireland and Daniel Ryan of Kaukauna, Wisconsin. With her three brothers and two sisters she early formed a family bond of great devotion which has lasted throughout their lifetimes. The family moved back to the old Ryan homestead in Wisconsin in 1897 and Catherine graduated from the Kaukauna High School in 3 years. She received her B.A. degree from Rosary College and her graduate courses mainly from Fordham University.
Sister was a teacher living in Appleton when she applied for entrance into St. Clara Novitiate. Her last teaching position was in Combined Locks, Wisconsin. After profession, June 30,1920, Sister began a new teaching ministry, first in New York at OLM; then at Holy Trinity, Bloomington where she was also prioress; St. John, Milwaukee and in Oklahoma City where she was vicaress for five of her eleven years there.
Sister's great ability to administer and her kind and forthright way with students and adults led to her election as council member in 1949, assisting Mother Benedicta. After twelve years on the council, Sister Benedict was appointed prioress at St. Dominic Villa, serving there selflessly for six years. Back to mission life and limited teaching, she endeared herself to all in the St. Thomas Apostle community - parishioners, students and sisters, giving invaluable behind- the-scene services. A hearing loss and other limitations led to her assignment to St. Dominic Villa in 1979 where she lived out her past two years in prayerful and cheerful participation.
Sister's only immediate family survivor is Sister Marguerite Ryan, who lives at the Mound and was her frequent visitor at the Villa. Many other relatives, including her sister-in-law, Mrs. Eileen Ryan and Sister Hilaire Ryan, her Sinsinawa Dominican cousin, joined Sister at the funeral services May 7 in Queen of the Rosary Chapel. Fathers John Gerlach and T. D. Smith were concelebrants of the Mass of Resurrection.
May Sister Benedict, who saw so clearly the joys and infirmities of the human condition, now behold them transformed into eternity.
Her Missions were listed as ; 1920-31 New York, O.L.M. 1931-37 Bloomington, Holy Trinity 1937-38 Milwaukee, St. John 1938-49 Oklahoma City (Vicaress 1944-49) 1949-61 St. Clara (Member of the General Council) 1961-67 St. Dominic Villa (Prioress) 1967-79 Chicago, St. Thomas Apostle 1979-81 St. Dominic Villa
Sister Marguerite Ryan (Winifred Ryan) Great Granddaughter of Martin Powers 5/16/1894-12/18/1984
From the archives at Sinsinawa; Sister Marguerite died at St. Dominic Villa on December 18, 1984 at the age of 90 and in the 57th year of her religious profession.
Winifred Ryan was born on May 16, 1894, in Madera, California, one of three daughters and three sons born to Catherine Gleeson of Nenagh, Ireland and Daniel Ryan of Kaukauna, Wisconsin. The family later moved to Kaukauna where Winifred grew up and received her grade school education at St. Mary's and attended Kaukauna High School. She completed her studies at Oshkosh Normal and began her teaching career at a rural school in Combined Locks. She went from here to Milwaukee where she taught at Victor Berger School Until 1926 when she entered the congregation.
Mr. And Mrs. Ryan both died while their family was still young, so Winifred took over the role of mother and helped raise her younger brothers and sisters. It was for this reason that she waited until she was thirty-two years old before coming to St. Clara. Her youngest sister Mary had just finished high school and her other sister, Sister Benedict, was already in the community.
Winifred was received as Sister Marguerite on August 4, 1927, and professed a year later. She taught in grade and high schools for over forty years--in Madison (Edgewood), Milwaukee (St. Robert), Chicago (St. Sabina, Visitation, and Trinity), Minneapo1is, Champaign, and Omaha (St. Cecilia). Sister returned to the Mound in 1971 and remained there until 1983 when she moved to the Villa.
One of the sisters at the Villa remembers her as principal of Edgewood Grade School. She was a teacher respected and loved in a special way by the students whom she taught English. Her students seemed to excel so well that seldom if ever were they placed in freshman English classes, but, rather, were placed in sophomore classes. She was highly respected for her intelligence and grasp of her subject matter. The students loved being in her class. She worked long hours at her school work, going to her classroom early in the morning, and remaining long after school hours.
Sister Hilaire, a relative, remembers her as a child. The Ryan family had purchased turkey eggs for their farm and as the eggs hatched little Winifred was put in charge of shepherding the turkeys. She could often be seen in the fields, shooing the turkeys in the direction she wanted them to go.
Another sister remembers her as having been a very dedicated teacher at St. Robert's. She was a determined person with a deep sense of her own dignity and capability. The students looked forward to being in her class.
Sister worked in the Mound sewing room, making habits for some years. When her eyesight grew weaker she had to forego that duty, and one of her new hobbies which she developed was creating lovely cards made by pressing flowers and inserting them by means of her own technique into the paper. The process for doing this was found among her possessions at the Villa.
Father Don Georgen, O.P. celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Marguerite on December 21, 1984.
Sister Hilaire (Ruth Winifred Ryan) Great Grandaughter of Martin Powers 6/19/1899- 9/6/1986
Sister Hilaire Ryan died September 6, 1986 of pneumonia. She was 87. A member of the class of 1921, Sister Hilaire came back to Rosary College in 1928 to teach after receiving a Ph.D in biology from the University of Illinois. She retired in 1974, and lived on campus, attending the greenhouse and tutoring until she was stricken with Parkinson's disease in 1984. Sister Hilaire spent the last two years of her life at St. Dominic Villa, the Dominican retirement house in Dubuque, Iowa. Sister Hilaire left her mark on Rosary College. The garden tucked between Coughlin and Power is named Ryan Park for her. Thrift and resourceful, she created the park with plants she nurtured in the college greenhouse and slabs of concrete left over from the construction of Coughlin Hall. She and a student helper labeled many of the trees on campus, writing the names in Latin and English on wooden plaques. Friends recall the many ways Sister Hilaire worked to make the Rosary campus beautiful. Sister Gregory Duffy, who headed the Rosary College drama department from 1938 until her retirement in 1970, remembered the magnificent costumes Sister Hilaire sewed for more than 30 years of Rosary plays. "In those days we did three major productions a year," said Sister Duffy, "and Hilaire, who was very interested in theater, sewed beautifully. She always did a great job."
Sister Mary Josepha (Theresa Caroline Schuh) 4/30/1896-1/28/1979
From the files of the Congregation of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Milwaukee WI. The following hand written autobiography was found in Sister Josepha’s file;
I, Sister Mary Josepha – Teresa Schuh was born April 30, 1896 at Freedom, baptized in St, Nicholas church and named after my dear grandmother. On my first day at school, I sat close to my brother. The teacher asked my brother his name. He answered very slowly, “Ja-cup”, (Jacob) Schuh. Then she asked me my name, I answered “Trace-cup Schuh” thinking that “-cup” belonged there. The teacher and pupils had some fun out of it. We had to help on the farm very much. My father owned 168 acres of clear land. In spring and fall we had to stay home from school to work in the fields. When I was 17 years old I wanted to be a sister like my two Aunties, Sister Calixta and Calasanza. Sickness prevented me until I was 19. Two heavy operations cured me. After receiving permission from the family doctor, pastor and my parents I left for Milwaukee Aug. 1915. This was my first train ride. I had never seen a big city before. Homesickness was quite hard on me for some time. In November of the same year, I was sent to Kenosha. My second year as candidate I was stationed at St. Leo’s Milwaukee. At the end of this year I was permitted to prepare for my holy vows. August 2nd 1917 I entered the Noviate. My second years as novice I went to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin at Holy Ghost Mission. The following July 23, 1919, I was permitted to make profession, after which I returned to Chippewa, where I remained eight more years. After these eight years I was sent to St. Paul’s Chicago, to take up the same kind of work I was used to, First and Second grades with sacristy work. In Feb. of that year I was transferred to Belvedere, Ill. Until June when I went to the motherhouse to be repaired. The following August I came to Lottaville, where I still am, to take the first and second grades there, together with my dear church work. I would feel lost if this charge were taken away from me. Amen. Year Missions City Grades taught 1915-16 St. George Kenosha, WI. 2 1916-17 St. Leo Milwaukee, WI. Kindergarten 1918 Holy Ghost Chippewa Falls, WI. 1 & 2 1919-27 Holy Ghost Chippewa Falls, WI. 1 & 2 1927 St. Paul Chicago, IL. 2 1928 St. James Belvedere, IL. 1 & 2 1928-32 St. Peter & Paul Lottaville, IN. 1,2,3 1932-36 Our Lady of Lourdes Dobie, WI. 1,2,3,4 1936-45 Holy Angels Gary, IN. 3 1945-76 St. Joseph Home Green Bay, WI.
Sister Mary Hilary Cox (Catharine Cox) Grand Niece of Martin Powers Granddaughter of Patrick Cox 1854?-4/4/1881
From the Archives at Sinsinawa; Baptized name Katie, listed as born in 1854 when she entered the convent at age 21. Received her habit on Aug 4, 1875, professed her vows on August 4, 1876 and died on April 4, 1881. SISTER MARY HILARY COX - Sister Mary Hilary Cox was received into the community on August 4, 1875. She was everything that one could expect from a good religious, earnest, perfectly obedient and always cheerful so, and one of the most unselfish of beings. She was remarkable for her great interest in the Community's welfare, so that she never seemed to be a young Sister but rather one who had long identified herself with the general good. Most of her religious life was spent on the mission in Bloomington, Illinois, where she taught the higher grades in the boy's department. Not only her own pupils but all the children in the school loved and revered her. Her faith in prayer was another characteristic. All her doubts and difficulties, the temporal and spiritual needs of her Sisters and her pupils were laid before Our Lord in the tabernacle. Towards the end of the fourth year of her profession, her health began to decline. After a few months it was manifest that consumption was at work. Sister came home to die, and for about ten months she bore great suffering with uniform patience and resignation. On April 4, 1881, about an hour after receiving the Holy Viaticum, she breathed her last, being then twenty-seven years of age.
From the archives at Sinsinawa, Sister Robertine wrote in 1978 that the name Hilary was given to her Aunt and also to her sister Marjorie's boy, both in honor of Sister Mary Hilary Cox (1854-1881). Sister Hilary, O.P., buried at Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.
From the "ANNALS OF THE SISTERS OF THE THIRD ORDER OF SAINT DOMINIC OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY OF SINSINAWA, WISCONSIN - THE CONVENT OF SAINT JOSEPH, BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS, DIOCESE OF CHICAGO, ESTABLISHED IN 1848, BEGINING MARCH 11, 1876.” On the 11th day of March 1876, Sister M. Reginald Kean, Sister M. Gonzaga Doyle, Sister M. Lucina Foy, Sister M. Emerentia Martin and Sister M. Hilary Cox were, by the Council of Saint Clara Convent, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, sent to be the first Sisters of the Convent of Saint Joseph, Bloomington, Diocese of Chicago.
Also, a brief mention is made in the Annuls of Holy Trinity Convent, Bloomington, IN. “Sister Mary Hilary Cox taught the boys' school in the old frame building once used as a Methodist Church. She made the work a marked success-- in the face of many difficulties. Sister Hilary's love of truth could surely make her the banner bearer of the Dominican motto, "Veritas". A pupil of the Sisters (Miss Quinn) took Sister’s name when she became a member of the Community, after Sister Hilary Cox’s death. She now (1922) bears the name Sister Mary Hilary Quinn. Sister Hilary Cox died in 1881, from a cold first contracted while Watching with another Sister by the bier of Rev. Father Murphy. He was for sometime assistant priest at Holy Trinity Church. His death was sudden and a great shock to Father McDermot. His remains were taken to the Church. Here members of the Congregation and some of the Sisters watched during the night and day.”
Sister Mary Bartholomew Cox ( Margaret Cox) Grand Niece of Martin Powers Granddaughter of Patrick Cox 1851?-3/30/1897
From the Archives at Sinsinawa; Baptized name Maggie, born in 1851, as reported when she entered the convent at age 23. Received her habit on April 5, 1874, professed her vows on August 4, 1875 and died on Mar 30, 1897. Sister Mary Bartholomew Cox; Sister Mary Bartholomew Cox died almost suddenly at Waukegan, Illinois, where she was superioress of the convent at the time, March 30, 1897, in the twenty third year of her religious life. Sister's life had been spent as a teacher on the Missions, and the devotion and reverence which pupils and people felt towards her on the various missions where she exercised her zeal, give the best idea of her unselfish application to the work of education. The interest she took in her pupils even after they had left school showed her zeal for the souls redeemed by the Precious Blood, and her desire to make Catholic manhood and Catholic womanhood in this country an unanswerable argument in favor of the One True Church on earth. A severe cold which developed into pneumonia and resisted alike the skill of physicians and the loving care of her Sisters, brought Sister Bartholomew to receive the reward of her zealous labors in the Master's vineyard. Her remains were brought to St. Clara for internment. Sister Bartholomew was a sister of Sister Mary Hilary Cox of this community who died several years earlier.
Sister Mary Maximilia , (Mary Bernadina Elsbernd) 2nd cousin 2x removed of Herman Wilpolt 2/23/1882 - 6/5/1967
Entrance October 2, 1909 Investiture May 5, 1910 First Vows July 26, 1912 Final Vows August 12, 1918
While teaching she attended St. Francis Normal School in 1936, then she attended Marian College, graduating in 1946 (at age 64) with a B.S. in Education.
Sister Robertine Burns (Elisabeth Burns) 2nd Great Grand Niece of Martin Powers 2nd Great granddaughter of Patrick Cox 5/13/1909-9/21/2000
Sinsinawa Dominican Archives Sister Robertine Burns, OP, died at St. Dominic Villa, Dubuque, on Sept. 21, 2000. The Mass of Resurrection was celebrated in Queen of the rosary Chapel, Sinsinawa, on Sept. 25. Internment in the Motherhouse Cemetery followed. Matthias Walsh, OP, presided. None of Sr. Robertine's immediate family survives. Her nieces attended the funeral. Elizabeth Burns was born on May 13, 1909 in Freeport, IL., one of the six children of Robert and Mary (Cox) Burns. Elizabeth attended St. Mary's Elementary School and Freeport High School and Freeport High School. She entered St. Clara Novitiate after high school and, on Aug 5, 1929, made her first religious profession as Sr. Robertine. Sr. Robertine was an elementary teacher and resource tutor for 47 years. She taught in the following schools: Sacred Heart, Washington, DC ('29-32) St. Bernard's, Wauwatosa ('33-40) St. Barnabas", Chicago ('41-44) St. John's, Milwaukee ('44-45) St. Giles', Oak Park ('46-48) St. Augustine's, South St. Paul ('51-62) Epiphany, Chicago ('62-68) She served in resource centers at St. Thomas Aquinas, Milwaukee ('68-71) St. Thomas Aquinas, Freeport ('71-73) St. Rose's, Baltimore ('73-78) and as a tutor at St. Peter's, Oshkosh ('78-79). She went to the villa in 1979 and remained there for 21 years. When we welcomed Sr. Robertine's body to the Gathering Place at the Mound, Mary Ellen Winston, OP, gave a biographical sketch of Sr. Robertine's life. She said this: Sr. Robertine wrote a paper in which she spoke of the graces of growing up in a loving family "The heritage of a Christian education in our home, through St. Clara's Academy's gifts of beauty received by our mother, resulted in a family with a desire to serve others and educated for service in the fields of welfare, medicine and mental health." In 1978 Sr. Robertine wrote: From the first sign of my vocation, I was graced with a love for Christ in the Eucharist, a firm belief that my vocation was to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, a great love for prayer and service to children and to the needy. All of these have grown through the Spirit into my Dominican vocation characterized in our Constitution as a call to prayer, and an awareness of the needs of the church." Sr. Mary Ellen continued: Through long bouts of illness of mind and body, she continued to preach the Gospel. Through gentleness, peacefulness, and a strong interest in what was happening in the world, in her family, and in our congregation, she continued to pray and preach. She loved study and wrestling with truth. She kept up as best she could on what was happening in the world and loved to share her thoughts with others. At the Wake, Selina Stanaway, OP, offered her reflection on Sr. Robertine's life. Sr. Sal said the following: Sr. Robertine lived her vocation in good times, in hard times, in good health and in poor health. She loved to teach and instilled a love of reading in many young people. In her last years, she taught through her smile, given to those who ministered to her and that indicated acceptance, despite pain and loss of freedom. She preached through her resilience, her waiting for death to come. In his homily, Father Matt said this: Over the years, Jesus prepared a special place for Sr. Robertine in his father's house. It is a dwelling built for her selfless ministry as a teacher, built of her thoughtfulness in community, built of her smiles and tears, built of her hope and trust in the God who called her so many years ago to make God's Word her home.
SISTER LEONE FAUST, O.P. (Roberta Louise Faust) Great Granddaughter of Herman Wilpolt 11/16/1930 - 2/24/1980
Religious Name: Sister Leone Date of Birth: November 16, 1930 Entrance Date: September 14, 1950 Reception Date: August 17, 1951 First Profession: August 15, 1953 Final Profession: August 15, 1959 Education: 1961 Dominican College, Racine, Wisconsin 1968 Waukesha Technical Institute, Waukesha, Wisconsin
COMMENTS ; Taught in elementary schools; did practical nursing at Villa Saint Ann, Our Lady of the Oaks Convent and St. Catherine's Infirmary.
MISSIONS:
Death: February 24, 1980 Heart attack at St. Mary's Medical Center
2nd Cousin, 3x removed of Herman Wilpolt 25 Aug 1945 Entered the Convent at Mount St. Francis, Dubuque, IA. 12 Aug 1948 Took vows to serve the Catholic Church as a Franciscan Sister
Ruth Elsbernd, OSF was born at home on the family farm near Festina, Iowa.
Her parents, John Leo and Martha Mary Kuennen Elsbernd, believed in Catholic education and sacrificed to have Ruth attend all four years of high school at Immaculate Conception Academy, Dubuque, Iowa, as a resident student. Since Ruth had made first grade at age 5 staying with her Kuennen grandparents to attend the little country school near the Smallest Church, Ruth stayed home a year after grade school to help on the farm.
After high school, Ruth entered the convent at Mount St. Francis, Dubuque, on August 25, 1945, wanting to be a teacher and be like her vivacious, fun-loving aunt, Sister Cecelia Kuennen. She received the name in religion of Sister Mary Bernette, but later changed back to her Baptismal name. After professing vows of Gospel poverty, celibate love, and obedience, on August 12, 1948, Ruth taught at Remsen, Iowa and various schools in Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota. She also served as parish organist, doing church work, and teaching religion to those not attending a Catholic school.
Having taught all grades, Sister Ruth was assigned to high school when the need arose at Larchwood, IA, Granville, IA, and Ossian, IA. She taught all the sciences and math and English as needed. Then courageously she took on the need for a college chemistry department at Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta, IA. It was not too far to drive there from Mount St. Francis daily. Sister Ruth left a fine department and well equipped lab built up during her five years there. Then her mother's need for assistance with her dad's advanced Parkinson's disease was a need so she lived at home in Festina and taught part time at St. Lucas, Iowa. Other services included later serving as live-in caregiver for a diabetic couple where the wife had had a stroke and bringing them daily Communion. Previously, Clinical Pastoral Education enabled serving as chaplain at Xavier Hospital and St. Francis Home for a time, and being a librarian for Holy Trinity School in Dubuque when that was a need. After retiring at age 70, Sister Ruth has been serving as an organist for the Carmelites in Eldridge, Iowa.
Alice Gertrude Hein 2nd Great Granddaughter of Martin Powers First Vows March 19, 1944 Final Vows August 15, 1947
I was born in Unity, WI., on a small farm where my parents lived with my grandparents, John and Mary Powers. At the age of 9 or 10, my family moved to Ringle, WI., a little town near Wausau. My brother, sisters and I attended the public school there. After graduating from the elementary school in Ringle, I stayed home for a few years to help at home. Besides, at that time, there was no bus service between Ringle and Wausau, where the nearest high school was located. These were the Great Depression years. After three years spent at home, I did get a chance to attend the Junior High School in Wausau, where I worked for my room and board. After one year there, and through the kindness and generosity of Grand Uncle Dick Powers (Richard), I was able to attend St. Joseph’s Academy in Green Bay, conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, where I was a boarder for the rest of my high school years. Having been inspired by the life and work of the Sisters at the Academy, I decided to join the Sisters after my graduation in 1941. Their Motherhouse was in St. Louis, Missouri. Upon being received into the Congregation, I received the name of Sister John Chrysostom, the “John” intended to honor all of the John’s in my family – grandfather, father, uncle and brother. This name I answered to until we were allowed to return to our baptismal names after Vatican II. My first assignment was to teach at St. Joseph’s Indian School on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Keshena, WI. It was a boarding school, a part of the mission operated by the Franciscan Fathers. Here I remained almost ten years, a mission very dear to my heart. With the exception of three years in the Denver area, my 47 years as an elementary school teacher were in Missouri – St. Louis, Hannibal, O’Fallon, St. Joseph, and Kansas City, where I spent 30 years. I retired from teaching in 1991, and then spent the next ten years doing volunteer work. In 2001, I moved to our retirement home in St. Louis, Nazareth Living Center – where I am presently living, and where I expect to spend the rest of my days. Last year, March 2002, I celebrated my 60th Anniversary as a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
Mary Roseann Micke Granddaughter of Gertrude (Hemsing)(Wilpolt) Micke Final Vows July 1941
Education Masters of Education Marquette University Bachelor of Science College of St. Scholastica Life Certificate – Teacher and Administrator, State of Minnesota Certification – Teacher Perceiver Specialist,
Missions
1938-1953 Teacher Diocese of Duluth Schools 1953-1959 Teacher, Principal St. Rose School, Proctor 1959-1969 Supervisor of Schools Diocese of Duluth 1969-1982 Superintendent of Schools Diocese of Duluth 1982-1992 Executive Director Operation Aware, Duluth 992- Business Office St. Scholastica Monastary, Duluth, MN.
Pauline Gertrude Micke Great Granddaughter of Gertrude (Hemsing)(Wilpolt) Micke
School Sister of Notre Dame Mary Therese Flynn 3rd Great Grand Daughter of Patrick Cox
Currently Director of Adult & Family Ministry At St. Mary's - Hales Corners, WI
3rd Great Granddaughter of Martin Powers St. Joseph of Carondelet
Vows
Judith Carol Kavanaugh was born in Kimberly (St. Elizabeth Hospital was really in Appleton, but we lived in Kimberly.), Wisconsin, the second of six children of James E. Kavanaugh and Dorothy Heaney Kavanaugh. The family moved to Milwaukee because of her father’s work and then in 1946 to Terre Haute, Indiana. Judy started school in Terre Haute, kindergarten in the Public School and then first and second grade at St. Margaret Mary’s school. In those two years she made her first confession, first communion and was confirmed. In 1950 her father was again transferred in his company and the family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Judy and her siblings attended Incarnation school. Judy began high school at St. Margaret’s Academy. After graduation Judy entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has lived in community since that time. After four and a half years of novitiate and juniorate, during which time she earned a B.A. from the College of St. Catherine with a major in Latin, Judy began her career of teaching. She taught Latin and religion at St. Joseph’s Academy in St. Paul for three years. Judy then went to teach at Derham Hall High School in 1968. Latin classes were dwindling, so Judy returned to school for a second major in Spanish. She studied at Universidad Ibero Americana in Mexico City for some of her Spanish major. Later she began studies in Secondary School Administration, earning a Specialists Certificate in Secondary School Administration in 1978 from the University of Minnesota. Since 1968 Judy has taught Spanish and Latin at Derham Hall, then Cretin-Derham Hall after the merger with a neighboring school in 1987. During that time she was also principal of Derham Hall for three years and taught at Benilde-St. Margarets and St. Bernards for one year each during time away from Derham Hall or Cretin-Derham Hall. Judy loves to travel and has traveled to Spain, Italy, Greece, Mexico and Peru with students. She enjoys traveling with students. She has also traveled to England and Ireland as well as parts of the United States. Judy is also a bicycle rider. In the past she went on bike camping trips with friends, carrying all the gear on bikes. For the past twelve years she has done The Ride Across Minnesota to raise funds for the MS society of Minnesota. It is a 5 day long bike ride of 300-350 miles. Judy also enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves to read, and enjoys crafts and sports. She is active in her CSJ community, serving on committees and being present at most community happenings. At the present she continues to live in community in St. Paul with two other Sisters of St. Joseph.
Sister Mary Patricia Leroy SNJM Mary Patricia Leroy 2nd Great Granddaughter of Martin Powers
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