Celebrating our Jubilarians

During 2022, the Sisters of Notre Dame of the California region honored 10 Jubilarians for their lives of consecration for a combined 550 years. Their theme for the July 29 celebration, “Celebrating with Grateful Hearts,” comes to life in these personal testimonials.

Sr. M. Kathleen Burns | 40 Years

Describe your vocation story in six words

Taken by Jesus’ life and message

Who is one important mentor who has accompanied you on your life journey? What made that person a good mentor?

My mom was and is a great mentor for me. She modeled for me deep faith, a very balanced spirituality, a healthy sense of humor, a love for Mary, the Church, and a zeal for sharing the message of Jesus with others. She served as a catechist for children with special needs for over 40 years, and she was always a great support for me in my vocation.

What do you love most about being an SND?

The first time I met the sisters while I was in high school, I felt right at home. What drew me then, and now, was the community spirit -we enjoy being together! What unites us is our love for Christ and his mission and this impels us out to others. It gives me great joy to see our sisters around the world sharing in the mission of Jesus with that same joy and energy.

How has your spirituality changed over the years?

Over the years, I have become more open, free and balanced. As an Ignatian community, we are called to see God in all things. As I have grown, I have become more sensitive to God’s movements in daily events and have not seen my life so compartmentalized. As St. Julie says, “In whatever way God comes to us, he is always welcome.”

Sr. M. Anncarla Costello | 50 Years

Who is one important mentor who has accompanied you on your life journey? What made that person a good mentor? It has been a blessing for me to have many important mentors. The women with whom I have lived and whom I call “my sisters” have all touched my life. In particular I’m grateful to: Sr. M. Regina Robbins for guiding me to cherish my vocation as God’s great gift; Sr. Doris Marie McDonald for encouraging me to be the best teacher I could be; Sr. M. Sujita Kallupurakkathu for showing me her passionate love for the mission of Jesus; and Sr. Mary Faith Clarke, SNJM, for modeling her gentle apostolic spirit as a woman of the Church.

What do you love most about being an SND?

I love being a member of a wonderful community of awesome members. I love the opportunity to serve God’s people in so many different ways over the years— as co-sister, as teacher, as community administrator, as archdiocesan employee.

How has your spirituality changed over the years?

Over the years my spirituality has deepened although I have always seen my relationship with Jesus as a spousal relationship and my service to God’s people has always been the expression of my love for him.

Sr. Marie Paul Grech | 50 years

Who is one important mentor who has accompanied you on your life journey? What made that person a good mentor?

Sr. M. St. Charles Neuhausel was an inspiration and mentor to me. We were colleagues at St. Bonaventure High School, and it was evident that the students truly loved her, especially the boys. When she would walk into a room, the boys would stand, not out of obligation, but out of respect. Even under stress, she was incredibly gracious, calm and affirming. Personally, I found her to be very broad-minded and eager to share her experiences with a younger sister as a way to empower a new generation.

What was one particularly meaningful experience you had in your ministry, and why was it meaningful to you?

When I was teaching boys at St. Bonaventure High School, they were potentially going off to Vietnam. Life and death realities were imminent. This possibility gave them a perspective and wisdom that you don’t often find in high school students. And they passed that perspective and wisdom on to me.

How has your spirituality changed over the years?

In my young days, I thought that doing was all important. With the years, doing has taken a back seat--being present to whomever I’m with is far more important. It’s all a matter of being present to the graces of the moment.

Sr. M. Judeen Julier | 50 years

Describe your vocation story…

I loved spending time in prayer. My mother had taught me to have a relationship with Jesus by her own simple prayer life. In high school, I also loved my science classes and decided to pursue a college degree in Medical Technology at the University of Southern California. With God’s grace, I came to realize that I could be of more help to others as a Sister of Notre Dame, the congregation that I knew and loved after being taught by the sisters for 12 years.

How have your ministry experiences impacted your life?

Over the past 50 years I have been privileged to serve in a variety of ministries–elementary education, parish ministry, community leadership, and hospital chaplaincy. Wherever I have ministered, I was blessed by interactions with our diverse Southern California population. My life has been enriched as I engaged with people of so many different ethnic backgrounds. I see all as God’s children with many gifts to share. Living and working together, as we learn from each other, can lead to a society where peace and love are evident. As a Sister of Notre Dame, I hope I am a witness of respect for all. I live in hope, continuing to proclaim God’s goodness and provident care in the future.

Sr. M. Jolisa Lazaro | 50 years

Who was one important mentor who has accompanied you on your life journey? What made that person a good mentor?

The late Sr. Mary Sheila Faye was an important mentor for me. I found her to be real, human and very kind, not just to me but also to my family. She showed us an inclusive and welcoming spirit, especially when I was discerning entering the SNDs with such a strong German background. Knowing my desire to teach diverse children and give them an opportunity to know their talents, she encouraged me with the words, “You can do whatever you like because you have a very good heart.”

What was one particularly meaningful experience you had in your ministry, and why was it meaningful to you?

Going to the Philippines to teach English was particularly meaningful. I was able to see and experience firsthand where my parents and sister were born. While there, I received insight into my family’s ethnic values, especially being community-oriented, building community, and showing hospitality to all people. I observed that all of life is precious and that all of life is one.

What do you love most about being an SND?

As an SND, I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many families from diverse backgrounds (especially St. Lawrence of Brindisi in Watts and St. Rose of Lima in Maywood) and to offer them hope. In listening to their stories, I’ve recognized many blessings in my own life and I’ve become eternally grateful.

Sr. M. Florette Adams | 60 years

Who was one important mentor who has accompanied you on your life journey? What made that person a good mentor?

My aunt, Sr. Mary Florette Hornack from the Chardon Province, introduced me to the Sisters of Notre Dame and encouraged me to become an aspirant at Notre Dame Academy in Los Angeles. During high school, I lived with other girls who also had a desire to learn about a vocation to religious life with the SNDs. I never saw Sr. Florette during those years, but we communicated regularly. Later, she was assigned to California in the 1970s and it was a grace to have her nearby. Sr. Florette continued mentoring and accompanying me on my journey. Her understanding and encouragement always helped me in my determination to follow the call to Notre Dame.

What was one particularly meaningful experience you had in your ministry, and why was it meaningful to you?

As a Sister of Notre Dame, I’ve had many meaningful experiences in ministry. I particularly cherish the opportunity to teach little children for over 25 years, especially the privilege of preparing them for their First Holy Communion. Later, I specialized in teaching them different forms of music, which helped me discover the gifts God gave me. I continued developing these gifts and appreciating how special these children were—to God and to me.

Sr.

Betty Mae Bienlein | 60 years

Who is your favorite saint or inspirational person, and why?

Over the years, I have developed a deep appreciation for the 12th century Beguines of Northeastern Europe, especially Hildegard of Bingen. Their scholarship, mystical experiences of God and spiritual leadership provided a way for many European Christian women to respond to the signs of their times and to their own spiritual needs and vocation. What great role models they are for us as consecrated women religious many centuries later!

Who was one important mentor who accompanied you on your life journey?

Sr. Thomas Bernard MacConnell, CSJ, accompanied me for about 30 years. She was a wise and prayerful woman who made a tremendous impact on my life—and for the opportunity to journey with her, I am forever grateful.

What was one particularly meaningful experience you had in your ministry, and why was it meaningful to you?

There have been many ministry experiences which I find meaningful and transformative. As an elementary school teacher and administrator in the inner city, I experienced genuine human joy in the midst of immigrants’ challenges and dire poverty. The privilege of being present to the children at Notre Dame Learning Center Preschool is heart-warming! Our play-based approach to preschool fosters simplicity and wonder in their hearts, something that their parents deeply appreciate. But what is probably most meaningful are the intimate, transformational moments that I share with spiritual directees and hospice patients.

Sr. M. Regina Robbins | 60 years

Who is one important mentor who has accompanied you on your life journey? What made that person a good mentor?

The most important and influential mentor in my life has been my mother. Her genuine and simple faith, her attractive personality and respect for the goodness in every person always inspired me. Her presence as a reliable adult who listened to me and could give wise advice, is something I try to imitate. In grade school my middle school teachers, Sr. Clare Marie Gerke and Sr. Mary Lenore Bott, were skilled teachers who reflected authentic faith and understanding for our age group. When I interact with middle school girls at La Reina today, I often think of these two teachers.

What do you love most about being an SND?

Being a Sister of Notre Dame fits with who I am. I love the energy, creative vision, style of religious life and sense of community. I love the vibrant internationality centered in Rome, which keeps me so aware of the world-wide human community.

What was one particularly meaningful experience you had in your ministry, and why was it meaningful to you?

Although I can look back on many meaningful ministry experiences, those related to formation stand out, helping novices and seminarians discern their vocation, fostering their personal prayer and growth, and encouraging them to discover and become their best. Spiritual direction and giving retreats to women religious are also highlights.

Sr. M. Karlynn Werth | 60 years

Who is one important mentor who has accompanied you on your life journey? What made that person a good mentor? At Notre Dame Academy, Sr. M. St. Charles Neuhausel was my religion and chemistry teacher. During my senior year, I became a postulant and her help with chemistry was invaluable. I also had the privilege of living with Sr. St. Charles from 1971 until 1977, when she taught at St. Bonaventure High School and I was principal at Our Lady of the Assumption School. Sr. St. Charles was a great example of fidelity to her religious vocation and she guided and inspired me in my early years of community leadership. She was a devoted educator and I know she was very well-respected by her colleagues at St. Bonaventure. To all who knew her, she was encouraging and uplifting—a real community person. We have a phrase in SND lingo that really describes Sr. St. Charles, “she was a good scout…”

What was a meaningful experience in your ministries and why was it meaningful to you?

Over the years, I loved being an educator because of the many opportunities this ministry provided me. I especially enjoyed challenging the children during those difficult junior high years. My life was also touched by what I learned from families of various races and cultures.

Sr. M. Joann Schlarbaum | 70 years

Who is one important mentor who has accompanied you on your life journey? What made that person a good mentor?

One SND who inspired me over the years was Sr. Mary Antonita Biegansky, an example of vision and balance. As superior, principal and eighth grade teacher, she amazed me. As she aged, she accepted her limitations with patience and courage, especially as her eyesight failed. While visiting her in the infirmary one day, she shared something she had read, “I want to get to know Jesus if I’m going to spend an eternity with him.” That remark has stayed with me through the years.

What do you love most about being an SND?

Having been an SND for 70 years, I count every day a blessing because it is serving Christ and serving others. Through the years of teaching, administration and other ministries, I pray that somehow seeds have been planted in minds and hearts that will serve them in the future.

What was one particularly meaningful experience you had in your ministry, and why was it meaningful to you?

As moderator of Christian service, I spent time with students serving various organizations, including Catholic Worker in Los Angeles. It was such an inspiration to assist in serving food to so many. We also listened to the people’s stories of misfortune and shared some hope. I still treasure those times of visiting Catholic Worker and appreciate all the good they do in the spirit of Dorothy Day.