This year I can claim that I have been a School Sister of Notre Dame for 65 years. For over 50 years I worked as a “House Sister.” So now that I am retired people ask, “As an SSND – what did you teach?” I answer “The Sisters had to eat, too.”
Sisters came from Europe. I have fond memories of working with Sister Sevella Hartmann in the kitchen for 24 years. Sister Sevella came from Bavaria, Germany. She died at the age of 94 and gave over 60 years of service in the United States.
In many ways I have been a teacher. Working with mentally challenged persons in Freeport, Illinois, I had many beautiful experiences:
- Their unique use of classic expressions (e.g. a rainbow was an arch of colored sky streaks)
- Uncovering that a person was deaf and not mentally challenged (A young man learned to speak at 24-years old and worked as an employee doing different services.)
- The learning went both ways (They taught me and I taught them.)
Today I am retired at Marian Village, Homer Glen, Illinois. When the need arises I do provide “bed and breakfast.”
Sister Joanna was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1932, where she has lived and ministered all of her life. She professed her first vows in 1953 at the motherhouse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is celebrating her 65th jubilee this year. Sister Joanna began ministering as a house sister and in food service at St. Alphonsos, Chicago; St. Anthony, Chicago; and the motherhouse in DeKalb from 1953 through 1976. She was also a dietician at St. Vincent's Residential School in Freeport (1976-1985); and again worked in food service at Academy of Our Lady Convent in Chicago from 1985 through 2002. After a sabbatical and some time off to care for family, she assisted at the Provincialate in Berwyn (2003-2006). From 2006 through 2011 she served through prayer and presence at St. Pius in Stickney. Sister Joanna’s current ministry is prayer and presence at Marian Village in Homer Glen, IL.
