provincial secretary. In addition, she helped the provincial secretarial office with special projects. Words that inspire Sr. M. Dolores are: “God’s love never fails, no matter the need.”
Sister Mary John Albert Thiry As a student of Notre Dame Academy and the daughter of a man who was taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame (Toledo Province), Sr. Mary John Albert Thiry says she had an affinity for the SNDs. Her years of teaching high school in the Cleveland Diocese brought her to Regina, St. Francis, and other schools. At St. Peter, she was a dedicated principal, guidance counselor, and teacher; at Notre Dame Academy, she served as teacher, guidance director, and assistant principal. Assignments outside the diocese included twelve years at Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA (principal) and eight years at John F. Kennedy, Warren (guidance counselor and teacher). Sister devoted 11 years as pastoral minister and director of religious education at St. Francis De Sales, Parma. She has been a pastoral care volunteer at Mt. Alverna Village and Jesuit Retreat House for two years. Sister shares her thoughts on being a Diamond jubilarian: “It has been my life for 62 years. It gives me an opportunity to be closer to the people in the Church, to work for the Church, to have a very strong family in the community, and to have the opportunity for spiritual growth and development.”
50years
GOLDEN
Jubilee
Sister Mary Annete Adams
Sr. Mary Annete Adams taught primary grades at several Cleveland schools, including St. Stephen, St. Wendelin and St. Mary, Chardon. She was the Chardon provincial secretary for eight years. After serving as an administrator for Migrant Mobile School Ohio and Florida, she became a missionary in the East African nations of Uganda and Tanzania. Today, she is the postulant director/delegation secretary in Arusha, Tanzania. “I had a great desire to simply serve the Lord, especially with the poor; I found so much joy in the lives of the Sisters I knew,” says Sr. M. Annete. “As a missionary here in Africa, I believe we are all called to live the Gospel message, to live simply and honestly among the poor.” Sr. M. Annete remains inspired by I Peter 4:10: “Place your gifts at the service of others.”
Sister Myra Avsec (Formerly Sister Mary Antonmarie) Sr. Myra Avsec spent most of her religious life devoted to community services including helping the sick, cooking, and driving. For 10 years, she was a preschool aide at St. Francis of Assisi in Gates Mills. Her first contact with the SNDs was through her older cousin, Sr. Mary Avsec (Sister Mary St. Bernadine), who attended Notre Dame Academy. “I have felt called to Notre Dame since I was a young girl walking the
mile home from school,” Sister says. “I ignored the call, but God insisted and in my senior year at NDA, I finally said, ‘Okay, I am coming…’ The journey has not always been easy, but 50-plus years later, I am still ‘coming.’” Sister resides at the Provincial Center in Chardon where she dedicates her time to the prayer ministry and community service. The scriptures that Sr. Myra holds close to her heart are: “I am with you always” and “Be still and know that I am God.”
Sister Mary Ann Burke (Formerly Sister Mary Brigid) During much of her ministry, Sr. Mary Ann Burke served others through food service at the Provincial Center and NDA Boarding School, Chardon, and NDA, Middleburg, VA. She went on to devote six years to her position of regional superior of the Chardon Province. For 11 years, she served in the pastoral ministry at St. Joseph, Amherst. Today, Sr. Mary Ann dedicates herself to an outreach ministry with the homebound, Ignatian spirituality exercises in parishes, and spiritual direction. She has been inspired by her Regina High School teachers and the faith practiced by her family, including her cousins in the SND community, Sr. Mary Ronauld Frohnapple and Sr. Grace Mary Corbett. Sister Mary Ann’s personal philosophy is “to follow and bring Christ to others with a sense of humor.”
Sister Mary Laurie Divoky Since childhood, Sr. Mary Laurie Divoky had always wanted to be a nurse. She was accepted into nursing continued
Sisters of Notre Dame | Network
Summer 2013
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