March 2021 NDS Newsletter

FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY.

BELOW ARE UPDATES ON OUR WORK.

A note about asking forgiveness A few years ago the Sisters were asked to write down some of their wisdom. Sr. Carmelita Smisek, who passed away in 2019, wrote the following piece about forgiveness. In a time of upheaval, this is an important reminder to all of us: Back in the years of my growing up, it was a custom in our parish church to have confessions for children at 3 p.m. and for adults at 7 p.m. The following happened years ago when I was seven.

Mom and Dad were getting ready to go to confession. I heard Dad say, “Ann, you go on to church, I need to ask my brother Anton for forgiveness. I wasn’t very nice to him the other day.” At age seven, I didn’t realize what all that meant. But, as I grew older, I realized I had experienced one of the greatest lessons of life from my parents – the importance of asking forgiveness face to face. They were a very faith-filled simple couple with deep wisdom.

This particular experience had a profound, lasting effect on me. Throughout my years of living in Community, in my ministry of teaching, and in the day-to-day encounters with others, deeply embedded within my spirit is the witness of Dad’s asking forgiveness because he didn’t treat his brother respectfully. This reminds me often of the importance of forgiveness. Through my 94 years of life, I have had many opportunities to say, “I’m sorry.” It wasn’t always easy to say this. However, God in His goodness and love was always there with me to remind me to love my neighbor as myself.

Dick and Julie Bea Pierson are honored with Mother Qualberta Award We are happy to announce the Piersons as our service award recipients this year. Julie has known the Sisters since she was born and Dick met us while engaged to Julie.

Both are active members of St John's Parish in Valley and find joy in serving their community. We have shared a video and article about the Piersons at our Celebration of Spirit.

Sisters and residents get the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Most of us were blessed to have Methodist Hospital staff come to Notre Dame Housing to administer the vaccine to the residents here, including the Sisters. Others have made use of other community opportunities to be vaccinated by their doctor or at their pharmacy. Some Sisters have even received the second dose.

This vaccine brings us one step closer to the day when we can be together again with friends and loved ones. We encourage everyone to receive the vaccination.

PRAY WITH US! For Family members and friends struggling with COVID and the dedicated health care workers.

For church and world leaders that they advocate for the common good of all people and our earth.

For our brothers and sisters struggling from natural disasters, violence in their homes and countries, and those living in extreme poverty.

Former students remember when Sisters made them laugh out loud at school We celebrated Catholic Sisters Week in March with stories from the Notre Dame Sisters' former students. So many people have great memories of the Notre Dame Sisters, be they spiritual, educational, ministerial, or hysterical. Here are some that made us all laugh: Marsha Polak remembers Sr. Carolyn (Mary Frances) Michalec as a second grade teacher at Assumption School before the days of air conditioning.

“It was so hot that she took her veil off! We were in shock and said, ‘Sister, you have hair!’ We had so much fun in her class, but we learned a great deal."

Students were often fascinated by the Sisters’ habits, and were mystified that there were regular women underneath all of that fabric! Paulette Smith was a 6th grader at St. Adalbert’s in 1964 when she met Sr. Anita Rolenc, and was intrigued by such a young woman in a habit.

"She actually played baseball with the kids at recess,” Paulette remembers. “She could hit that ball and lift up the layers of her habit enough so she could run the bases. Her veil was streamed out behind her and kids were always trying to see what color hair she had!"

In high school, the hallway talk turned from habits to boys.

Gracious God, we thank you for the gift of “people of faith” who gather to share their trust that you are always with them, and with all those they love and reach out to with generous service.

May we be united with one another in spirit, with the hope that someday soon it will be possible for us to join together with our praise and thanksgiving for your constant protection and love for all of us. Amen. ~Sr Dorothy Rolf, ND Did you know that we are now on LinkedIn? Find staff, Sisters, or see updates!

“I remember when a few of us girls were under the stairwell of the “new” cafeteria talking about “the birds and the bees” (about which we knew little),” remembers Nancy (Wenninghoff) Rider, a 1965 graduate of Notre Dame Academy. “All of a sudden we heard the clattering of heels down the steps. It was our principal, Sr. Immaculata (Polak)! What we didn’t know, was that there was a vent a few feet away from us leading upstairs to her office. She heard every word we had said!”

Another 1960s story, Ellen Hargass, a 1966 graduate of Neumann High remembers rehearsing the musical Oliver! Ellen’s character, Nancy, was supposed to be a bit of a “floozy”. “Sr. John (Barbara Markey) was our producer/director and she wasn't happy with the way I walked on the stage,” Ellen remembers. “Then to show me how, Sister flounced across the stage(in full habit) in her best "floozy" imitation! It’s a moment I've never forgotten.”

While we have come across many stories of how the Sisters assisted individuals in difficult times, we must never forget how much the Sisters spread joy!