PRAY WITH US! For the safe reunification of family members and friends and an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. For church and world leaders that they advocate for the common good of all people and our earth.
EASTER REFLECTION: Rising from the dark earth, rising from what sin has done, rising to bring Shalom to his disciples in their grief and fear, Jesus sought out his closest friends and brought peace and forgiveness to them, though they had abandoned him. Today, Jesus rolls away the stones that stand between us and the Life that God offers. Just as Jesus did for each of his loved ones to assure them that he was – and would always be – with them, so he does for us. ~Sr Margaret Proskovec, ND **Read weekly gospel reflections at notredamesisters.org
Remembering Sr. Barbara Markey, ND, as an inspiration Sr. Barbara Markey (November 15, 1934 – April 3, 2021), ND, passed away peacefully Holy Saturday with lifelong friend, Sr. Dorothy Rolf, ND, by her side. Sr. Barbara Markey was born in Norfolk, Nebraska and attended Notre Dame Academy in Omaha, graduating in 1952. She entered the novitiate of the Notre Dame Sisters in 1952 and was given the name, Sr. Mary John. She professed her vows in 1954. Over many years she served as an elementary and secondary school teacher. In the Omaha Archdiocese this included St. Adalbert and Notre Dame Academy. She also taught in the dioceses of Lincoln and Des Moines. Many of Sr. Barbara’s early years of teaching also included holding positions for the Notre Dame Sisters. She served as Vocation Director, Postulant and Novice Director, and also as a member of the Sisters’ Leadership teams for five terms. She attended many international meetings of the Notre Dame Sisters, especially in the renewal years after Vatican II. She headed many key committees, assisting the Sisters in their renewal and outreach to meet various needs in the Midwest. Sr. Barbara attended Duchesne College and UNL. In 1978 she was appointed by Archbishop Daniel E. Sheehan to be the Director of the Archdiocesan Family Life Office, a position she held until 2006. In her ministry at the Archdiocesan Family Life Office, Sr. Barbara collaborated with others to create the FOCCUS marriage preparation manual and REFOCCUS for training parish family ministers. Other areas in the Archdiocese for which she ministered included the Religious Consultation Center, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and the Sisters’ Council. To promote the tools she had helped create, Sr. Barbara traveled to various states and nations providing lectures and workshops for Family Life ministers. She also served on USCCB’s Marriage and Family Committee. She had close ties to Creighton University over the years serving at the Life-long Learning Center as teacher, counselor and marriage and family counselor. In 2008 she began service as Pastoral Associate and consultant for Campus Ministry at St. John’s, Creighton campus. The Markey Family had nine children and all remained close to each other over the years even though they lived in various parts of the United States. Read more memories of Sr. Barbara Markey, ND, at notredamesisters.org/news
