November 2022 Newsletter

FAITH INTO ACTION NOVEMBER, 2022 NOTRE DAME SISTERS 3501 State Street, Omaha, NE 68112 (402) 455.2994 | NotreDameSisters.org

FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY.

BELOW ARE UPDATES ON OUR WORK.

We remember Sr. Karen Rolenc for her commitment to children and the Sisters Sr. Karen (Rita Marie) Rolenc, ND, passed away Monday, October 10. She was a Notre Dame Sister since 1956 and spent much of her life serving children and her fellow Sisters.

Sr. Karen’s services were held at Notre Dame Housing (formerly Notre Dame Academy) October 15.

Rita Marie Rolenc was born on August 25, 1934, in the farmhouse about two miles west of Brainard, Nebraska and was the youngest of four daughters. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy in 1952. She took the name Karen when she became a novice and was known as Sr. Karen the rest of her life.

Karen came from a large family rooted in faith and was aware of the Notre Dame Sisters since she was a young girl, as her aunts Pauline (✟) and Loretta Polak (✟) were also Sisters. Dorothy Ann, now known as Sr. Anita, entered religious life four years before Karen. Their cousins also joined the Notre Dame Sisters – Sr. Joan Polak, Sr. Josita Hanus, Sr. Ernestine Havlovic, and Sr. Alma Janousek.

On February 2, 1956 she became an aspirant and a postulant on February 10. Reception into the Notre Dame community was held August 12, 1956.

Starting in 1974, Sr. Karen worked full time at Saint James Daycare Center with young children until the center closed in 1980. From 1980-1986 Karen was employed at Child Saving Institute working with children aged 2-4 years old. Her career grew when working at Creche Child Care Center (1986-1990), because in 1987 she was promoted to Education Coordinator. From 19912009, Sr. Karen was employed as the Coordinator for Saint Richard’s Day Care Center.

In 1980, Sr. Karen served as Assistant Coordinator of the Motherhouse. She was elected Coordinator in 1998 and served until 2005. She was responsible for hiring lay employees in the kitchen, housekeeping, maintenance, telephone duty, and more. She was known to roll up her sleeves and assist in cleaning and maintenance duties.

Read more at notredamesisters.org/news

PRAY WITH US! Family, friends, and relatives struggling with health concerns.

For all people enrolled in our Memorial Prayer Association and their loved ones.

For the people and first responders dealing with the devastation of earthquakes, hurricanes and fires throughout the world.

Memorial Mass - Watch it live or later on YouTube The first Sunday of November is our annual Memorial Mass, when we Sisters gather to pray for everyone on our Memorial prayer list together with families and loved ones.

We invite you to join us for livestreamed liturgy on YouTube to remember and pray for those we have lost. Tune in November 6, at 9 a.m. or to watch the service any time after.

Scan this code with your smartphone to see the Mass on YouTube. *Keep in mind the Daylight Savings time change that weekend.

For the leaders of nations keeping before their decisions peace in the world and the common good.

For those suffering from COVID and any after effects.

For an end to the war in Ukraine and throughout the world.

For continued commitment to healing and reconciling the deep divisions in people throughout the world.

NDH celebrated 25 years with the Housing, Health, and Hope luncheon We are grateful so many people joined us for a luncheon highlighting the critical impact senior housing has on North Omaha and the broader community. We appreciate KIOS Development Director and former host Michael Lyon, who emcee’ d the event.

We were honored that our keynote speaker, Naomi Hattaway with Front Porch Investments, spoke about community and the right to safe and affordable housing for Omaha.

We were also proud to celebrate NDH’s 25 anniversary of providing housing, health, and hope to seniors.

Our goal at Notre Dame Housing is to provide affordable housing and educational opportunities while combatting isolation and food insecurity for seniors in our community.