Arvada, Colorado
Detroit, Michigan
I remember Holy Rosary School in Gary, Indiana, vividly. I can remember the names of the nuns: Sister Florence, Sister Francesca, Sister Raphael, Principal Sister Robertine, Sister Gerard, Sister Clare and lay teacher Ms. Miller.
I was taught in both elementary and high school by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis at St.Thomas the Apostle in Detroit, Michigan. All the sisters were an inspiration to me, gentle and kind.Yet, I must admit that my all-time favorites were Sister Mary Liberata and Sister Mary Adjutoria. I am a Conventual Franciscan priest today because of Sister Liberata’s devotion and flawless example.
I have fond memories of Holy Rosary School. I remember cleaning the church on Saturdays and the nuns giving us bread. I remember the automobile accident Sister Robertine was involved in.We only had to go to school half days for quite a while. The nuns were good to me and my sisters. I understand Holy Rosary is now a missionary church. I can still picture that school in my mind. All the good qualities and characteristics instilled in me by the sisters at Holy Rosary and Bishop Noll Institute are evident today in my job with the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel. I have been told that people can tell I was taught by nuns because my handwriting is so perfect, and I am very well-organized. Patti Panfil Arvada, Colorado
Richfield, Ohio In 1950-51, Sister Mary Rosette Rospotynski was the 8th grade teacher and principal of St. Hyacinth’s School in Cleveland, Ohio. I had the privilege to be a student in her class. She was kind, strong, demanding and understanding to the needs and limitations of her students. After I completed 8th grade and went on to high school, I kept in touch with Sister and saw her from time to time when I served Mass. I was shocked when I heard that she chose to serve the Lord in Puerto Rico among the very poorest of the population. She wrote me a letter and we began to correspond to the day of my ordination. In those days, they would bind the hands of the newly ordained priest with a cloth to remind him that his hands were consecrated and his whole person was to serve the Lord. Sister Rosette fashioned the cloth for me and made my ordination special by her sharing in this way. Sister returned to the Cleveland area and I would then see her from time to time - her friendship and prayers have been a constant support to me. Rev. Raymond Bartnikowski St.Victor Church Richfield, Ohio
Father Anthony Howard, O.F.M. Conv. Detroit, Michigan
Terre Haute, Indiana During my wonderful four years at Lourdes High School and at Immaculata College, I always felt the Sisters were truly concerned about my education. I am so thankful that I was on the receiving end of their years of dedication as educators. They were kind, patient and understanding. And when I became a teacher, I had excellent examples from the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, of the kind of teacher I wanted to be. The Sisters’ influence was not lost on me as a parent, either. As my children’s first teacher, I prayed that my influence on them would be a very positive one, as I had been influenced by my teachers. I have very fond memories of the Sisters at Lourdes High and Immaculata and I thank them for what they taught me by their words and by their examples. I will always “swing a censor” toward the SSJ’s. They were a big part of my life, and I’ll sing their praises any day! Congratulations on the occasion of your Centennial celebration. (Pat) Ellen McMillin Jeffers Terre Haute, Indiana