2015 Jubilarians I nf l amed w ith c onte mp l ative love we die and are re b or n as we wa l k tog ethe r
preaching justice
What is a Jubilarian? Our Hebrew roots provide a tradition for Jubilee to be celebrated every fifty years. In our Dominican tradition we have developed our own customs. Our celebration of Jubilee brings our Jubilarians back to their origin in the Congregation. We honor each woman and find ways to identify her unique contributions to our lives. We tell stories about our lives, our learnings and our joys and sorrows. We celebrate! Each Jubilarian has a story to tell, and the common threads of our stories are enhanced by one another. The unfolding of the mystery of God’s presence in our lives is awesome. We recognize this unfolding mystery of dying and being reborn as we walk together throughout life. Each Sister’s YES, each day, enhances the whole community. As we continue to be inflamed with contemplative love daily, we are so grateful for these holy women who celebrate their Jubilee this year, and we continue to be enriched by their lives.
In memory of the Jubilarians who share eternal life... 80 Years – 1935
70 Years – 1945
Kenneth Fitzgerald Aquino Boyce Anthony Therese Pacek Rene Langlois Rose Callahan Helen Bolger Susanna Gilbert Marie Rosaire Longtin Lucille Leannah Marie Raymond Baker Patricia Clare Carroll Lucinda Lehmkuhle Thomas More Connolly Justyn Krieg
Mary Sullivan Mary Ann Otway Loyola Maestas Eileen Marie Prueter Marie Joseph Ryan Phyllis Schoenborn Marie Emile Rivard Diana Mlynarchek
75 Years – 1940 Angele Richard Christine Jozwiak Jeanne Anne Brunett Lourdes Palazzolo Michaela Schrems Elizabeth Eardley Wilhelmina Knieper Sheila Wood
60 Years – 1955 Mona Schwind
Bede Frahm, OP All Life Is Gift As I reflect on my 80 years in religious life, I live with deep gratitude for the gift of living the Way of Jesus, of living in divine friendship as God’s beloved daughter and in God’s delight of all human beings, of living the Dominican charism in loving service to God’s people, of seeing the connection of all creation as one under the Providence of a loving God, of journeying with faithful people in doing God’s work and in welcoming changes that have brought new life. I am in awe of the mystery and goodness of life. All life is gift.
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y reflection on how God wrote my life with crooked lines:
When I pray and reflect on Psalm 105, I marvel at the mystery and faithfulness of God. This year, 2015, I celebrate 100 wonderful years! Eighty of those as a religious woman in the Grand Rapids Dominican Community. What a gift! Yes, what a gift! O God, You gifted me with wonderful parents and family, with the acceptance and love of the family of Ruth and Harry Greene and their five children, with a Dominican vocation, with special friends and faithful coworkers. You gave me a love and an appreciation and joy to work with the gift of food. This gift shared and enjoyed by so many, gave luster to my life. God, You indeed, have created the path of my life. You have seen me through the many struggles, joys and darkness, even the surprises, successes and failures. Yes, in spite of me, You accomplished Your will for my life. O God, ever new and faithful, even when I am frightened by the changing world around me, my heart is secure and glad as I remember how You have cared for me throughout my life. Your mercy and love are boundless! I am alive now to say, “I know Your love has guided me and I will continue to follow You joyfully and lovingly. How great are You, my God, and how I love to sing Your praises!” For all that has been, I say Alleluia! For all that will be, I say Yes.
80 years
Rose Seraphine Sagorski, OP I thank God for the many graces, family, classmates and friends who have journeyed with me these 80 years. My many careers have involved teaching, caring for the elderly and sick as a nurse aide, and volunteering in the Mail Room.
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ouise Ann Sagorski, born April 22, 1917, was the youngest of eight children of Vincent and Albina Sagorski. The special attention of parents steeped in appreciation of their faith helped create a loving family. Louise came to Marywood from the ninth grade in Sand Lake, Michigan, graduated from Marywood Academy and entered the Grand Rapids Dominicans. She made her final profession as Sister Rose Seraphine of the Sacred Heart in 1940. Sister Rose Seraphine taught elementary school for a total of forty years: ten years in New Mexico and thirty years in Michigan.
Sr. Rose shares smiles with her sister as they celebrate Sr. Mary Albert’s 98th birthday
After completing her MA in Theology through Aquinas College AIRS (Aquinas Institute of Religious Studies) summer program, she longed to serve people who were sick and aging. She began to minister in home care at St. Stephen and Sacred Heart parishes in Grand Rapids, and later continued this service for elderly Sisters at the House of Studies.
Sister Rose Seraphine now resides at Aquinata Hall and continues her ministry of service with her wonderful smile and giving as much energy as possible to “walking together” with all of us in prayer.
80 years
Lenora Carmody, OP “The world is full of the grandeur of God.” (Gerard Manley Hopkins) Looking back over my seventy years as a Grand Rapids Dominican, I am grateful for so much: my family, dear friends, so many opportunities for spiritual development, a sense of mission and so much more. But one charism of Dominican life stands out for me and that is study. My ministry has been in education where the role of study is obvious. But since my retirement from active ministry, it has been study about the new science - the study about God’s magnificent creation -that has led me to awe and wonder and that deep awareness that we are all one in God and in nature.
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hen I look back at my years of active ministry it seems that events just seemed to fall into place to set the direction my ministry would take. I started out as a teacher and principal in parochial elementary schools. I was convinced that the way we taught math just was not working for some students. My undergraduate and graduate work was in mathematics and math education. I did my research on Piaget’s theories of cognitive development in children. I was on the math faculty at Aquinas College. The “New Math” was spreading in schools throughout the country. Teachers needed help. Put this all together and I found myself in what seemed like the right place at the right time. In addition to my regular college math courses I began conducting in-service workshops for teachers in various school districts in the Grand Rapids area and giving numerous lectures on the new math or on Piaget’s theories for teachers and professional organizations. My final goal was that in some small way I could make a difference in the way some children experienced learning math. My last ten years at Aquinas were spent in academic administration. These were good years and I am most grateful for them.
70 years
Nathalie Meyer, OP “…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”. Hebrews 12:1 Living in community has been a gift despite the challenges. Each of us has a purpose in God’s plan and left to our own selfish desires, we may lose our way. Dominican Life has helped me weather the storms of doubt, criticism, and pessimism. Dominican Life has helped me conquer discouragement and the temptation to adjust to the “reality” of the naysayers who would rather live in the darkness of the known rather than seek the light of the unknown. My deepest thanks to all have challenged and journeyed with me these past 60 years.
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n 1937, I was warmly welcomed into the life of my parents Vivian (Tacey) Meyer and Theodore Meyer and named after my mother’s little sister, Nathalie, who died when she was three. Despite the fact that my parents were hoping for a large family, I have only one other sibling, my brother Ted. My parents worked hard for the parish and school of St. John’s Essexville and did all they could for the Norbertine priests and the Dominican Sisters. Growing up in a small town with parents who believed that their life was to make a difference was such a gift.
The ministry of music was my first assignment and music continues to feed my spirit. The belief in Catholic Education was instilled in me by my Sr. Nathalie loads a truck with TANDEM365 volunteer - helping a parents and the Dominican Sisters and has been senior gentleman declutter his home my passion for forty-eight years as teacher, principal and Diocesan Superintendent in Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Following those years, it was a joy to serve the community for six years in leadership. Currently I am an administrator of a start-up program to help frail seniors stay in their homes. Also, I teach a graduate course in “Ethical Leadership”. This is helping to keep my passion for education alive. As I reflect, my love of Sr. Nathalie teaches an conducting choral music has been a part of all these years of administration and teaching, bringing disparate online Graduate Course in Ethical Leadership parts together, to make harmony in a world of so much disharmony.
60 years
Therese Rodriguez, OP As I watch for the sun rise, I hear God speak: “Therese, just as sure as the sun will rise, I will always care for you and love you!” God’s faithfulness is the spark that gives me energy to follow God’s plan of love each moment of my life in collaboration with my Dominican Sisters and all God’s people. I, too, promise my prayers for you as I continue following God’s Plan of Love with a grateful heart.
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o forth and teach all nations.” Matt. 28.19
I was born in El Guache, NM on May 10, 1935 to Gabriel and Aniceta Salazar Rodriguez, ten years after St. Therese of Lisieux was canonized a saint. As the oldest of 15, ten girls and five boys, the seed of my vocation was nourished by my prayerful family, the joyful Dominicans and priests of Holy Family parish. At the age of ten I received a deep desire “to go forth and teach all nations” all that Jesus had taught me. Matt. 28.19 I followed my call as teacher, Chaplain, advocate for migrants, prisoners, and others; missionary in Panama, Ministry for Prayer and Action in El Salvador, Vocation ministry, and Dominican presence for Lay Dominicans in Albuquerque, NM. I thank God, my Dominican Sisters, Holy Family Fathers, Capuchin Fathers, family and friends who have empowered me to follow God’s call as a Dominican Sister ~ Grand Rapids for 60 blessed years. God is good! Good all the time!
60 years
Emilia Atencio, OP “Blessed be God who refused me not my prayers nor His kindness� (Psalm 66:20) For 60 years I have worked with prayerful people and learned that prayers are answered. I am grateful to my dear family, my Dominican Sisters, people with whom I have worked, my friends, my pupils, and all those who have helped me in my pilgrimage of life.
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was born on April 5,1935, to very good parents, Miguel Antonio and Cordelia Atencio. I have three younger brothers, Willie, Isaac, and Eugene Philip. I am glad our Dominican Sisters taught school in my home parish of Santa Cruz, because when I felt called to be a Sister, I chose Marywood. I always wanted to be a teacher, so after attending Aquinas College, I was assigned to teach intermediate grades. I taught, learned, and really enjoyed my 22 years in the classroom. My teaching years were in Michigan and later in New Mexico. In 1980, I was asked to do parish work at the Historic parish of St. Francis in Sr. Emilia shares her love of religion Ranchos de Taos. I was there for ten and art of an old Historic Church years. In 1990, I was fortunate to go to with a visitor the new parish of Santa Maria de La Paz in Santa Fe. Something new for me was being on the Building Committee for a new Church building that was built in 1995. After 10 years, I went to the historic St. Francis Cathedral for about 14 years. I was lucky to minister in two Historic parishes because they had a Docent Ministry. That gave me a chance to share my religion, my faith, my culture, and the New Mexico art with many visitors who came to the old Historic Churches. After retirement, I continue to be a volunteer Docent at the Cathedral in Santa Fe.
60 years
Ardeth Platte, OP These following passages challenge me all the days of my religious life: ”...God has sent me to bring good news to the poor.” Luke 4:18
“...to have peace on earth and good will to men (all,sic) is the nonviolent affirmation of sacredness of all human life.” Christmas sermon on peace, Dec., 1967 by Martin Luther King, Jr.
“...As women religious, the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids believe all creation including Earth itself to be sacred and we stand in witness of life over death, love over hatred and hope over fear.” Corporate Stance on Nuclear Disarmament, Nov., 2007
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y love and gratitude for these Gospel blessings given by God, family, Dominican Community, friends, Intentional Communities and so many others who have blessed and inspired this journey: - Born on Good Friday, April 10, 1936 into a loving family of big brother and missionary dad - Seventy-nine years of life and sixty years as a Dominican Sister - Teacher of junior and senior high school, principal and coordinator of an Educational Center in inner city, Saginaw - Living and ministering at St. Joseph’s Rainbow parish, learning the struggles from people of color made poorest - Becoming an elected City Councilwoman and Mayor ProTem of Saginaw in extensive service - Co-founding Advocacy for Justice and a Home for Peace and Justice in Saginaw for organizing and empowering
Sr. Ardeth intercedes for peace at the Brunswick, ME military base
- Joining Intentional Communities in the Upper Peninsula and at Jonah House to practice and teach direct, political and judicial action for systemic change and commit to nonviolence, resistance and plowshare actions. “...they shall hammer swords into plowshares...” Isaiah 2:4 - Experiencing years of imprisonment and walking with incarcerated women YES, ALL BLESSINGS AND DEEPEST GRATITUDE!
60 years
Mary Lucille Janowiak, OP These 60 years -Surrounded by growth, challenged to grow; Surrounded by kindness, invited to care; Surrounded by love to offer love. Through these gifts from so many of you, I find God’s mysterious Incarnation continuing. Thank you for gracing my life with joy, forgiveness, satisfaction and love.
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ll life on this planet forms one community. My sense of community began with my loving family of parents, four siblings and many relatives. Soon it widened to include neighbors, friends and schoolmates in the small town of Manistee.
Sensing a call to religious life, the Grand Rapids Dominicans accepted and companioned me for 60 years. They broadened my understanding of community Sr. Lucille reads directions as Green and made me a part of religious women Apple Day volunteers from GRCC’s throughout the world. Study, teaching and U.S. Green Building Council install parish ministry brought me more fully into the a newly donated bluebird house larger Catholic Community. And then in 1999, my communal sense widened even further. Our visionary Sisters and a Sabbatical leave led me to recognize that my life depends on the freely-given services offered by Earth’s diverse species. I’ve come to see that all beings are one family and trace their roots to One, Source of All Being, Who has been with us from creation’s first flaring forth. In this deep time, my deepest gratitude to all.
60 years
Seed collection hands-on learning for Aquinas freshman during Project Unite
Rena Ruddy, OP “Jerusalem My Destiny” -Rory Cooney Blessed and happy has been my religious life for sixty years as a Grand Rapids Dominican. I am grateful for the many opportunities given me, especially to visit the Holy Land in 1995. I give heartfelt thanks to God, my community, family and friends who have helped me on my journey.
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ena Margaret Ruddy, born October 28, 1931 in Flint, Michigan was the second of eleven children of Francis and Julia Marie Rousseau Ruddy. At age two the family moved to a farm in Mt. Morris, Michigan. Rena graduated from St. Mary School in 1949. Following graduation she worked two years at St. Francis Home for Boys in Detroit, next at the Federal Reserve Bank and then for Detroit City Ice and Fuel Co. She traveled extensively. At the age of 23 Rena answered God’s call and joined the Grand Rapids Dominicans on January 29,1955. In 1958 Sister Rena began her teaching apostolate at Blessed Sacrament School, GR and continued as an elementary teacher at Holy Family, Saginaw and St. Michael, Maple Grove. From there she went to the Detroit Archdiocese: Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn; St. Alfred, Taylor; and St. Ann, Warren. After a long ministry in teaching, she became Christian Service Director at St. Matthias Parish, Sterling Heights. Sr. Rena displays her acrylic painting, Purple Majesty
Sister Rena holds two degrees from Aquinas College, one in education and one in Religious Studies.
Sister Rena moved to Marywood July 30, 2014. She continues her hobbies which include music, concerts, acrylic painting, and floral arrangements.
60 years
Angelina Gonzales, OP I will praise God all my life, sing to God all my days (Psalm 146) I am grateful and thank God for my Dominican Vocation, my loving and supportive parents, my Dominican Sisters and all those whose lives I have touched and who have touched my life during these wonderful and challenging 60 years. As I continue my journey, I thank God for the many blessings I have received.
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was born on March 29, 1934, to Sabino and Maria Gonzales in Glorieta, NM, the fifth of ten children. I thank God for my loving parents.
I did not have the privilege of attending Catholic Schools and had never met Sisters, but I had a strong desire to serve God in some way. After graduation from Santa Fe High School, I somehow came across Nazareth Hospital in Albuquerque, NM where I met the Dominican Sisters and I knew this was where I belonged. I loved working with the Sisters and after two years, they helped me see that I had a Vocation and guided me to the Dominican Community in Grand Rapids. Sr. Angelina instructs
My ministries took me to Hospitals at Nazareth Mary and Joseph on what they and Santa Rosa where I was the Business need to do at Las Posadas Manager. I also had a great desire to minister to children and moved onto Religious Education. I went to three parishes in northern NM. My last ministry was at Holy Cross Parish in Santa Cruz where I was Religious Education Director. My present ministry is Consultant to the new DRE, plus I am involved in various Parish activities, such as coordinating our annual 9-day Novena of Prayer “LAS POSADAS�.
60 years
Eva Silva, OP Gratitude! Wondering what one word would be the net large enough to describe 50 years as a Dominican Sister I have chosen GRATITUDE; for parents loving me into life, my vocation, “my” HS students, women discerning their call to vowed Dominican life, the Community of Holy Rosary Parish where I served and continue currently, gratitude for the privilege of witnessing those who come seeking healing and wholeness in their lives. I am filled with gratitude too, for friends and family, my Dominican sisters and my Silva sisters, who bless my life with their goodness and love.
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am from Caleruega, land of castles, Moors, mosques and aqueducts, Birth too of my father Dominic. I am from Sienna, cobbled stoned streets, Home of my mother Catherine, Echoing still her challenge to power. I am from Ratisbon, house of prayer And pioneering women of courage, Called to leave all that was home. I am from Michigan, land of stunning autumns, Winter wonderland seasons and Resurrection springs of life abundant. I am from Nuevo Mejico, Land of Enchantment, Hot sun, immense skies that fill your soul, Mountains, bosques and the Rio Grande.
Sr. Eva cantors and invites the church to join in the Responsorial Psalm
I am from Belen, Bethlehem, Town and people without fame. Here… It is here, I first delighted in Incarnation, God with us.
50 years
Lucia Zapata, OP These fifty years of my journey have been a tapestry filled with varicolored blessings, challenges, frontiers, and growth. Belonging to La Familia are main fibers that sustain me in support, and encouragement to live daily the Gospel values of God among His people.
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was born in Saginaw, Michigan to two wonderful parents, Maxine Rocha and Bonifacio Zapata. They were my first teachers who taught me about our Catholic faith, Mexican roots, and traditions. I was the oldest of three sisters and one brother. I attended Public School for the first seven years of my education before attending Catholic schools. On September 8, 1964, I entered the community and began my journey in religious life. Much study and learning went on during those early years to prepare me for the future in community, education, and the church. I attended Aquinas, Wayne State University, Grand Valley State University and Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas. I taught in four Catholic Schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Later an opportunity came along my journey to branch into new territory which was working with the Hispanic people for the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Those years I will always cherish dearly because I was working Sr. Lucia teaches art at North Park Montessori School with people who were poor. My ministry has led me to teach art in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Presently, I teach in three schools—K-8, and two classes of children with autism. It’s a wonderful opportunity to give back where I came from in my early education. I have met many wonderful people in my journey. I am sure God will continue to bless me as I journey forth in His bountiful vineyard.
50 years
Marie Celeste Miller, OP
The past 50 years of Dominican Life have held an abundance of blessings and surprises that I never would have realized otherwise. I thank God.
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orn the first of three children, I was surrounded with a warm and loving family. Learning was highly valued at home and has been a continuing theme in my life. After a year at Aquinas College with the Dominican Sisters, I entered the Congregation and was given the name, Marie Celeste. I received a Bachelors’ Degree at Aquinas, a Masters’ at Middlebury College and a Ph.D. at Emory University. Teaching took me to Saginaw, Gaylord, Kentucky and Aquinas College in Grand Rapids where I worked as a faculty member, Program Director and Dean.
Sr. Marie Celeste helps a student during her Art History class at Aquinas College
Moving to part-time teaching has provided me with the opportunity to explore other ministries, one of which is The Peace of Cake.
50 years
Carmen Rostar, OP “Here I am Lord; I Come to Do Your Will.” This scripture theme was used for the celebration at the time of my first profession in 1972. It still rings true today. Who knows the will of God? I search in Scripture, tradition and personal experience to follow God’s will for me and all Creation. Thomas Merton’s insight reassures me: “The desire to please God does in fact please Him.” I pray that I will always have the desire to do God’s will.
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s the ninth of ten children of Anna and George Rostar, I was born in Muskegon and belonged to Sacred Heart Parish. I was taught by Dominican Sisters from first grade through graduation at Aquinas College. When I came to Marywood, I was surprised to be enrolled in college for I just wanted to be a Sister and had not given a thought to furthering my education. Little did I know then how the joy of learning would continue forever! I was thrilled when I was able to study theology at Mundelein College in Chicago . . .right on my lake, for Lake Michigan has always been very special to me. So it is too, that the cottage in Muskegon is a place of blessing for me. Here I find a space for retreat, prayer and pondering. From elementary grades to adults, teaching in one venue or another has been my profession all of these fifty years. The classroom teaching experience expanded with parish ministry and RCIA – both enriched me and helped me develop skills beyond those of the classroom environment. Most recently, working with immigrants has been both rewarding and heart breaking. Life has come full circle as I recall that my parents came from Slovakia and learned English here in Michigan. Now I am teaching English to speakers of other languages who have come to this country. In this I find deep joy as I witness their ability to express themselves more effectively, find work and better their lives here in America. The circle is complete; the good work continues; trusting that this is God’s will, I give great thanks for these fifty years. Sr. Carmen gives an in-service to the tutors and a student about computer programs
50 years
Lynne Hansen, OP “Nothing worthwhile in life is sudden.” (Anthony Padovano) This is the quote I used for my final profession. How true this was in my life. Growth was slow but sure with many bumps along the way. Thanks to my Sisters in Community, and the opportunities afforded me; I have grown deeply in my Spiritual life and am able to share it with others.
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was born in the beautiful town of Ludington, MI, the youngest of three children. We were raised by my mother and our beloved Grampa. He was the one who showed me God. He went fishing almost every day and many times I went with him. When the sun started to come up in the harbor, the sea gulls were flying and calling to each other and then there was almost total silence. My Grampa would gently say, “That’s God!” Solitude was always a part of my early life.
Sr. Lynne tutors through the Kent County Literacy Council
I entered the Community at the age of 21 after a stint in the Navy and working in Milwaukee, both in secretarial work. I wanted to take private vows to the Bishop but he told me that I was too young. The Community needed teachers and so I taught preschool and primary grades all of my teaching years. It was a good fit.
Sr. Lynne and her sister have been bringing hot meals to their step-parents on Sundays for 16 years
50 years
Our celebrants are contemplative, hope-filled women committed to the Word of God and the Holy Preaching. „ They live with a passion for Truth and Justice following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. „ Their lives are a testimony of the Pillars of Dominican Life and Mission: Community. Prayer. Study. Service. „ We remember with fondness the many Jubilarians who share the glory of Eternal Life. „ Let us celebrate the faithful service of these women.
2025 Fulton Street East Grand Rapids, MI 49503 www.grdominicans.org