Teacher's Aid Bio

Sister Marie was born in Rockford, Illinois and has two sisters that still live there. Having been educated by Dominican Sisters in both grade school and high school, she came to know and admire them.

 

After high school she worked as a stenographer for one year. Then she heard God's call to follow him in religious life. “Leaving home was not easy, but God was calling me and I felt drawn to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa,” she says. She entered the community at the Sinsinawan Mound on September 8, 1942.

 

She then earned her BA degree in Education from Edgewood College in Madison. Dominican Sisters are lifelong students, so every summer Sister Marie took continuing education courses at various colleges.

 

Her teaching career began in 1944 and is still going! Sister Marie has enjoyed her ministry with young children at many schools, including St. Sabina's in Chicago, St. Mark's in Peoria, St. Bernard's in Wauwatosa, Blessed Sacrament in Madison and at St. Dennis.

Sister says in her 65 years of teaching there have been many changes, from classes of 60 or 75 students to today's classes of 25 students, techniques of multi-age education and the emphasis on science and computer skills.

 

Sister Marie came to St. Dennis 21 years ago. She has had only one break from teaching when she spent four years at the Dominican Motherhouse as a Vicaress, tending to the needs of the retired Sisters.

At St. Dennis, Sister Marie lives in community with four Sisters at the St. Dennis convent. “We enjoy our community life of prayer, service, support and care for one another as we live our Dominican vocation,” she says. She also likes to read, work puzzles, play cards, have “social time” with friends and even exercises in her chair!

Sister Marie speaks fondly of her love for the children and her parish. “I love the children I work with each day. Each one is an individual with special God-given gifts. St. Dennis School has a wonderful learning and spiritual atmosphere. Our parents are so connected with us and so dedicated to our ministry and mission. I thank God and St. Dennis Parish for the opportunity to minister to children here.”

 

She adds, “I see miracles happen in young minds day by day!”