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!
