Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Making Known God’s Goodness – Educating for Life
Courageous Women
What follows is a sampling of the courageous women who have followed God’s call to live their lives as
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur over the past 175 years. All of them were teachers. All of them helped
people to discover God’s goodness within themselves and within the people and situations they
encountered. All of them were challenged by the times they lived in to develop the gifts God gave them
for the good of God’s people.
Some of them are still teaching, still meeting the challenges of the times and still helping people to
discover and live out of God’s goodness.
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Sister Louis de Gonzague – Missionary Letter Writer
Sister Louise – Expansion and Growth
Sister Mary Hyacinthe – Community Builder
Sister Francis Regis – Commitment to African American Community
Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart – Advocate for and Educator to the Deaf Community
Sister Mary Nepomucene – Architect, Planner, Construction Overseer and Great with a Needle
Sister Julia – Teacher of Teachers, Curriculum Development
Sister Loyola – Architect and Construction Overseer, Oregon Pioneer
Sister Alphonse Marie – Expansion in Boston, Trained New Sisters
Sister Leocadie – Writer and Printer
Sister Thecla – Trained New Sisters
Sister Rosalia of the Blessed Sacrament – Expansion in the Mid-Atlantic and South
Sister Columba –Teacher, College Advisor, Curriculum Developer, Author
Sister Mary – College Advisor & Teacher, Curriculum Developer
Sister Raphael of the Sacred Heart – Doctor, College Teacher and President
Sister Joan of the Blessed Sacrament – Educator, Trained Ordinary People for Parish Ministry
Sister Mary Evelyn – Justice and Peace Educator and Advocate
Sister Dorothy Stang – Advocate for Justice, Martyr for the Amazon
Sister Judith Merkle – Theologian, Author, Teacher
Sister Teresita Weind – Pastoral Minister, Spiritual Director, Preacher, Leader
Sister Judy Tensing – Direct Service to People Trapped in Poverty
Sister Therese Del Genio – Direct Service to People Trapped in Poverty
Sister Anne Ralston – Social Work
Sister Catherine Phelps – Educator
Sister Kristin Matthes – Young Adult Outreach and Adult Formation
Sister Kathleen Harmon – Author, Teacher of Liturgy
Sister Geraldine Bolzan – Pastoral Ministry, Training New Sisters
Sister Rose Ann Fleming – Educator, Academic Advisor, Lawyer
Note: date of entrance to the community is date of entering the novitiate program.
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1. Sister Louis de Gonzague– Missionary Letter Writer
Born: 1810 in Namur, Belgium
Baptismal Name: Hortense Antoinette Monseu
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1831 at Namur
Professed her vows September 12, 1833 at Namur
She had an older sister who was also a Sister of Notre Dame.
1835 - Named Superior of the Notre Dame community at Thuin, Belgium
1840 - Named Superior of first community of Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to travel from Belgium to
Cincinnati
Wrote many letters to Namur describing the work and life of Sisters in America and begging for more
Sisters to be sent to join the first band
Trained Sister Louise to take over as superior in America
Superior of foundations at Toledo, Ohio and Boston, Massachusetts
Helped start foundation at Dayton, Ohio
Returned to Namur in 1852
Died at Namur January 9, 1866
No photo of Sister Louis de Gonzague
exists. At left is a letter written from
Sister Louis de Gonzague to Sister
Louise. It is written from Namur in
1861.
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2. Sister Louise – Expansion and Growth
Born: November 14, 1813 in Bergen op Zoom, Holland
Baptismal Name: Josephine Van der Schrieck
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur October 15, 1837 at Namur
Professed her vows May 11, 1839 at Namur
1840 - Named to be part of first community of Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to travel from Belgium
to Cincinnati
As the first Novice Mistress in Cincinnati her job was to train American women who wanted to be Sisters
of Notre Dame de Namur
1845 - Named Superior of the Notre Dame community at Sixth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
1848 - Named Provincial and becomes Superior of all Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur east of the Rocky
Mountains
During her 38 years of service, 26 large secondary houses were opened in Ohio, Massachusetts,
Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. with the Sisters operating more than 60 academies and parish
schools. The Sisters of Notre Dame under her care grew to number 651 with an additional 99 in training
at the time of her death.
Died at Sixth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio December 3, 1886
Photo of a portrait of Sister Louise in the Ohio Unit Museum
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3. Sister Mary Hyacinthe– Community Builder
Born: December 25, 1819 at Bierghes, Belgium
Baptismal Name: Clemence Huart
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1846
Professed her vows in May 14, 1848
She had a younger sister who was also a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur: Sister Mary Eudoxia
Her gentle spirit and care for her Sisters made her a good superior.
1850 – Sent with nine other Sisters to America, stayed at Sixth Street long enough to learn English and
then was named the second Superior of the Notre Dame community at Chillicothe, Ohio
1856 – Named first Superior of the Notre Dame community at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1860 – Named first Superior of the Notre Dame community at Mt. Notre Dame, Reading, Ohio.
She oversaw its development for 26 years
1886-1890 – Sent to fill in for Superiors of Notre Dame communities at Worcester, Chelsea, Berkley
Street and Cambridge, Massachusetts; also served as first Superior of the Notre Dame Novitiate at
Waltham, Massachusetts
1890 – Returned to Mt. Notre Dame
Died at Mt. Notre Dame, Reading, Ohio December 15, 1903
Photo of Sister Mary Hyacinthe
It is from the image below – circa 1862 photo of part of the community at Mt. Notre Dame in Reading,
Ohio. Sister Mary Hyacinthe is in the front row, fourth from the right.
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4. Sister Francis Regis– Commitment to African American Community
Born: 1822 in Luxemburg
Baptismal Name: Marie Josephine Haas
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1842
Professed her vows September 26, 1845
1847 – Sent to America with the 5th group of Sisters to travel from Belgium to Cincinnati
During the next 20 years she serves on the Academy staffs at Sixth Street, Chillicothe and Mt. Notre
Dame. She also Taught at St. Mary and St. Augustine Parish Schools in Cincinnati.
1867 – When the Jesuits request Sisters to open a school at St. Ann Parish for African Americans, Sr.
Francis Regis begs Sister Superior Louise to let her serve in this ministry.
She opens St. Ann’s, the first parochial school for African American children in Cincinnati and was
principal there until 1893. She worked to improve the lives of her students both in and outside of the
classroom.
Died at Sixth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio November 23, 1895
No photo of Sister Francis Regis exists. Above is an image of St. Ann’s Church and School.
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5. Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart– Advocate for and Educator to the Deaf Community
Born: July 5, 1832 in Tipperary County, Ireland
Baptismal Name: Elizabeth Toohy
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur April 13, 1862
Professed her vows August 12, 1864
1881 – As well as her regular teaching duties, she began giving religious instruction to deaf children in
her classroom at St. Xavier School, Cincinnati, Ohio
1886 – Began full time teaching of deaf children in a classroom at Notre Dame Academy, Sixth Street.
She continues this work for the rest of her life
1893 – Alexander Graham Bell visited her school for the deaf and highly praised her work
1912 – Wrote to the director of Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary and pleaded that priests be trained in the
manual alphabet and sign language so they could better minister to deaf persons; her plea was heard.
Her work with the deaf laid the foundation for the creation of St. Rita’s School for the Deaf in Cincinnati.
Died at Sixth Street in Cincinnati on December 24, 1912
Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart
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6. Sister Mary Nepomucene– Architect, Planner, Construction Overseer and Great with a Needle
Born: January 15, 1837 in Cincinnati, Ohio
Baptismal Name: Mary Menkhaus
Taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame at St. Mary’s Parish, Cincinnati, Ohio 1846-1850
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur July 27, 1856 at Sixth Street, Cincinnati,
Ohio
Professed her vows on August 25, 1858
Skilled in needle work and sewing, she was also gifted at architectural planning, design and construction.
She was best known for the many years she spent planning and supervising the building of convent and
school buildings in various parts of the Notre Dame world.
1861 - Helped open Holy Trinity School, Dayton, Ohio
1867-1884 – Served as Superior of the Notre Dame Community at Franklin Street, Dayton, Ohio
1876 – Planned and built the first large convent at Franklin Street in Dayton
1880 – Oversaw the building of the convent chapel at Rich Street, Columbus, Ohio
1897 – Oversaw the building of a new convent at Rich Street, Columbus, Ohio
1889 – Oversaw the renovations and expansion of the Notre Dame Novitiate at Waltham,
Massachusetts
1890- 1895– Oversawthe building of the convent, chapel and academy at the Summit, Cincinnati, Ohio
1891 – Oversawthe construction of a new convent and academy building in Hamilton, Ohio
1903 – Oversawthe Construction of St. Mary’s Hall at Mt. Notre Dame, Reading, Ohio
A strong woman who had no problem directing the work of construction crews, she was highly
respected by the men who worked with her. One remarked, “I wish I had a head like yours, Sister.” Her
quick reply was, “Be satisfied with the head God gave you, and make good use of it.”
(The Finger of God, p. 8)
Died at the Summit, Cincinnati, Ohio on July 20, 1919
No photo of Sister Mary Nepomucene exists. Photos of the buildings she built do. This photo
represents her other gift: needlework. It is a sampler she did while a student at St. Mary Parish School
in Cincinnati, circa 1846-1850, where she met the Sisters of Notre Dame. She continued to sew her
entire life. While building Trinity College she worked making the linens the community would need
there.
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7. Sister Julia – Teacher of Teachers, Curriculum Developer
Born: February 18, 1827 at Mount Charles, Ireland
Baptismal Name: Susan McGroarty
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur April 26, 1846
Professed her vows August 3, 1848
Her early ministries included teaching at Sixth Street in Cincinnati, serving as Mistress of Boarders at
Roxbury in Massachusetts and as Superior of the community in Philadelphia.
1867 – Built West Rittenhouse Square convent and school in Philadelphia
1885 – Named assistant to Sister Superior Louise
1887 – Appointed Provincial Superior after death of Sister Superior Louise; oversaw continued
expansion and growth of Ohio until her own death; major foundations she opened include the Waltham
Novitiate in Massachusetts, the Summit in Cincinnati and Trinity College
1888 – Developed a Course of Studies for Notre Dame Schools in the United States and initiated end-ofterm examinations for Notre Dame schools
1889 – Opened the Waltham, Massachusetts Novitiate
1897-1901 – Planned for and built Trinity College in Washington, DC
1900 – Opened the Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio
Died at Peabody, Massachusetts November 12, 1901
Sister Julia
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8. Sister Loyola – Architect and Construction Overseer, Oregon Pioneer
Born: May 9, 1810 at Louvain, Belgium
Baptismal Name: Rosalie CelestineDuquesne
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur March 16, 1831
Professed her vows in 1833
Her gifts for planning and building were already recognized in Belgium where she finished building a
new school right before being sent to America
1843 – Named superior of the first group of Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to go to Oregon.
The Sisters open a free school, a day school and a boarding school built by Sister Loyola
1851 – Began a foundation at San Jose, California
1853 – Closedthe Oregon foundation and focused efforts in California; built the first Notre Dame School
at San Jose
1854 – Sent to Cincinnati where her building skills were desperately needed to help with expansion at
Sixth Street and the building of Mt. Notre Dame in Reading.
She was part of the first community at Mt. Notre Dame
Died at Sixth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio on December 14, 1880
Two photographs of Sister Loyola exist. She is in the photo of the Mt. Notre Dame Community on page
3, to the left of Sister Mary Hyacinthe. The image above is from a photo taken at Sixth Street circa
1870’s.
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9. Sister Alphonse Marie – Expansion in Boston, Trained New Sisters
Born: 1821 in Courtrai, Belgium
Baptismal Name: Zoe Vanderghynst
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at Ghent in 1841
Professed her vows in 1843
November 1, 1850 – Arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio and was put in charge of the little girls in the boarding
school at Sixth Street.
February, 1852 – Sent to Boston
May, 1852 – Replaced Sister Louis de Gonzague as Superior of the Notre Dame community in Boston.
She was responsible for opening the first Notre Dame Academy in Boston, an industrial school to give
job training to women and a night school for girls who had to work during the day.
1864 – Moved the community to the Berkeley Street location – Notre Dame’s work in Boston continued
to flourish.
1869 – Called back to Cincinnati
1870 – Named Mistress of Postulants and trusted with the first stage of training for young women
entering the community.
Died March 5, 1877 at Sixth Street, Cincinnati
Sister Alphonse Marie is standing – from a photo taken at Sixth Street, Cincinnati circa 1870.
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10. Sister Leocadie – Author and Printer
Born: December 25, 1849 in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Baptismal Name: Frances O’Meara
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur June 13, 1875 at Sixth Street, Cincinnati,
Ohio
Professed her vows July 16, 1877
Her major contribution to the work of Notre Dame was her writing, printing and binding Notre Dame
literature and other works on printing presses she ran at Sixth Street and at the Summit, both located in
Cincinnati.
1887 – Began writing the life of Sister Superior Louise – a work later completed and published as the
Memoirs of Sister Louise
1894-1916 – Edited and printed a magazine for the Notre Dame world called Among the Reapers of the
Fields of Notre Dame
Died at the Summit in 1928
No photo of Sister Leocadie exists. In the Ohio Unit Archives there are three volumes of bound copies of
the magazine Among the Reapers in the Fields of Notre Dame and numerous other works printed by
Sister Leocadie.
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11. Sister Thecla – Trained New Sisters
Born: September 26, 1891
Baptismal Name: Anna Marie Ryan
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur August 20, 1910 at Sixth Street, Cincinnati,
Ohio
Professed her vows: August 12, 1912
1916-1933 – Taught Religion, English, Literature, Spanish and Latin at Notre Dame Academies and high
schools in Hamilton and Dayton
1933-1962 – Taught classes to the Postulants and Novices (young women just beginning their training as
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur) and served as Directress of Studies
She oversaw the professional training of hundreds of Sisters, helping them to discover the gifts God had
given them and to grow those gifts into skills to be used to help God’s people.
Died at Mt. Notre Dame, Reading, Ohio on January 16, 1962
Sister Thecla is on the right
(under the arrow that was added by the photographer)
shortly before her death.
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12. Sister Rosalia of the Blessed Sacrament– Expansion in the Mid-Atlantic and South
Born: March 26, 1882 at Holyoke, Massachusetts
Baptismal Name: Rose Lee
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur May 21, 1900 at Waltham
Professed her vows August 15, 1905
In her early years she served at Lawrence, MA first as teacher and later as Superior, at Emmanuel and at
Notre Dame Academy, Roxbury.
1928 – Named provincial of the Eastern Province headquartered at Waltham, Massachusetts
1934 – Named provincial of the new Maryland Province headquartered at Ilchester, Maryland
She suffered from ill health her whole life, but she was known for her strength of will, her kindness and
understanding heart. Her creative energy was well used in growing and expanding the Maryland
Province. When confronted with obstacles she said, “I’m not looking at the dirt; I’m looking through the
dirt.”
She acquired the buildings that would become Notre Dame Schools at Maryvale, Villa Julie and
Wyncote.
She was the first to send Sisters to North Carolina.
Died at July 1, 1962 at Ilchester, Maryland
Sister Rosalia of the Blessed Sacrament
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13. Sister Columba –Teacher, College Advisor, Curriculum Development, Author
Born: April 28, 1902 at Washington, D.C.
Baptismal Name: Catherine Louise Mullaly
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur February 1, 1928 at Waltham,
Massachusetts
Professed her vows February 2, 1930
1930-1940 – Taught French at West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School
1940 – Took charge of Trinity Preparatory School and the Boarders at Ilchester, supervised the high
schools of the Maryland Province
1941 – 1989 – Began her long service at Trinity College where she taught in the English and Education
departments, served as Dean of Studies, Vice president for Academic Affairs, Vice president for
Institutional Research and as Archivist.
Trinity freshmen quaked in the presence of her compelling wit and dominant voice and presence. By
their senior year she had become their caring and loving friend – especially to those who were in
trouble.
She wrote Julie Billiart: the Saint of the Aggiornamento and Trinity College Washington, D.C.: The First
Eighty Years.
Died March 14, 1996
Sister Columba
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14. Sister Mary – College Advisor & Teacher, Curriculum Developer
Born: April 4, 1859 in Mason, Ohio
Baptismal Name: Margaret Henretty
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur November 14, 1880 at Sixth Street,
Cincinnati, Ohio
Professed her vows July 26, 1883
Taught at various academies of Notre Dame and in 1899 was selected to become a member of the
pioneer staff of Trinity College in Washington, D.C.
1899 – Accompanied another Sister to Belgium and England to study methods in higher education
1900 – Helped to open Trinity College
1903 – Became academic dean –She won the respect and admiration of outstanding educators around
the country, as well as the love and loyalty of a generation of students.
1921 – Named superior of Mt. Notre Dame
1922 – Named superior of Emanuel College, Boston
1928 – Named treasurer of the Summit, a ministry she continued until her death.
Died at September 4, 1936 at the Summit in Cincinnati
Sister Mary
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15. Sister Raphael of the Sacred Heart – Doctor, College Teacher and President
Born: February 9, 1858 at Brooklyn, New York
Baptismal Name: Lucy Pike
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1890
Professed her vows in 1892
Lucy grew up in Massachusetts and entered the Ipswich Seminary, a women’s college in 1874.
During college she became interested in Catholicism and started to study it. She is later part of the
Concord School of Philosophy organized by Amos Bronson Alcott, the father of Louisa May Alcott.
1885 – Received her medical degree from the Medical School of Boston University and started her
medical practice. She became a Catholic and entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
1900 – Served as part of the first faculty at Trinity and began the Greek Department
1912 – Organized the Biology Department
1918 – Oversaw the care of students during the influenza epidemic – over 80 students fell ill – all
recovered
1920 – Unanimously elected President of the College; in that office she worked to strengthen programs,
expand buildings and built the Notre Dame Chapel
1929 – Named superior at Waltham, Massachusetts
1935 – Returned to Trinity
Died at Trinity March 21, 1940
Sister Raphael of the Sacred Heart
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16. Sister Joan of the Blessed Sacrament– Educator, Trained Ordinary People for Parish Ministry
Born: June 30, 1917 in Boulder, Colorado
Baptismal Name: Mary K. Bland
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur December 24, 1938
Professed her vows February 8, 1941
1941-1948 – Taught History, English and Religion at Little Flower High School in Philadelphia and Notre
Dame High School, Moylan, Pennsylvania
1948-1963 – Taught History at Trinity College, Washington, D.C.
1963-1966 – Worked with the Sister Formation movement and with the Religious Educators Foundation
1966-1969 – Served as President of the Religious Educators Foundation
1969-1975 – Served as a General Councilor to the Superior General of the Sisters of Notre Dame de
Namur
1975-1978 – Served as Vice President at Trinity College, Washington, D.C. and in her work visited Trinity
alumnae around the country. She realized the great resource these women could be for their parishes,
but they feel inadequate. Sister Joan started thinking of a way women could study scripture and
theology and be motivated and prepared for service in the Church.
1978-2003 – Created the Education for Parish Service program at Trinity College, Washington, D.C. The
program includes the study of scripture and theology as well as preparation for service in parishes. It
soon spread to other sites in the United States, England and Rome. Sister Joan said, "It began with the
simple idea that sophisticated men and women cannot live full Christian lives on a childhood faith and
they cannot share – in the home, the parish, the marketplace or the community – what they do not
have. We set out to light one candle."
Died at Emmitsburg, Maryland on June 29, 2008
Sister Joan of the Blessed Sacrament
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17. Sister Mary Evelyn – Justice and Peace Educator and Advocate
Born: February 15, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois
Baptismal Name: Marilyn Jegen
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur February 15, 1948
Professed her vows February 18, 1950
1951-1962 – Taught in Notre Dame and Parish schools in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio
1962-1966 – Studied for her Doctorate
1967 – Began teaching at various Colleges and Universities around the country
1971-1974 – Served as a Researcher for the Pontifical Commission on Justice and Peace in Rome, Italy
1975-1976 – Served as Educational Consultant for Catholic Relief Services, New York, New York
1972-2005 – Taught part-time courses in Catholic Social Teaching and Christian Spirituality at Mundelein
College Creighton University and Trinity College
1976-1979 – Served as Executive Director for the Bread for the World Educational Fund, Chicago, Illinois
1979-2001 – Worked with Pax Christi: began the U.S. Chapter, served as Vice President for the
international organization, wrote numerous booklets, edited newsletters, developed educational
programming, and helped start chapters in other parts of the world
1991-2000 – Served as a special consultant to the United Nations
2000-2004 – Worked with the Global Peace Services USA initiative
She continued working in Peace and Justice Education the rest of her life. A prolific writer, her articles
were published in numerous newspapers and magazines. Her last book, Just Peacemakers: An
Introduction to Peace and Justice, was published in 2005.
Died at Mt. Notre Dame, Reading, Ohio on July 4, 2014
Listen to Sister Mary Evelyn’s advice
to individuals asking to learn how to
respond nonviolently to situations:
http://www.cspan.org/video/?158641/nonviolence-training-oppose-war
She enters the presentation at 14:30
and speaks for about six minutes.
Sister Mary Evelyn
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18. Sister Dorothy Stang – Advocate for Justice, Martyr for the Amazon
Born: June 7, 1932 in Dayton, Ohio
Religious Name: Sister Mary Joachim
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur January 29, 1949
Professed her vows January 27, 1951
1951-1953 – Taught at grade schools in Calumet City and Villa Park, Illinois
1953-1966 – Sent to Most Holy Trinity School, Phoenix, Arizona where she ministered to migrant
workers in addition to teaching
1966-2005 – Sent to Brazil where she built over 35 churches and schools as she worked to help poor
farmers build independent futures for their families.
She worked with the Pastoral Land Commission, an organization of the Catholic Church that struggles for
the rights of rural workers and peasants, and defends land reforms in Brazil. Her death came less than a
week after meeting with the country's human rights officials about threats to local farmers from illegal
loggers and ranchers.
Martyred February 12, 2005 in Boa Esperanca, Para, Brazil
Watch a movie about Sister Dorothy’s
work in Brazil:
https://vimeo.com/80408522
Sister Dorothy Stang
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Sister Judith Merkle – Theologian, Author, Teacher
Born: Dayton, Ohio
Entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1970
Professed her vows in 1972
1970-1976 – Taught in elementary schools in Lancaster, Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio
1976-1980 – Servedas principal of the Middle School at the Summit in Cincinnati and St. Susanna Parish
School in Mason, Ohio
1985 - Received her Doctorate in Theology from St. Michael's College, Toronto, Canada
She has written numerous books and presented more than fifty papers on such topics as culture,
economy and faith; Gaudium et Spes; social ethics; and Catholic social teaching. She has presented
papers, chaired panels, lectured and participated in round table conversations on theology in Canada,
England, Belgium, Rome, and the Vatican as well as multiple venues in the United States.
She has served on the boards of the Catholic Theological Society of America and the College Theology
Society.
She continues to make significant contributions to the study of culture and faith, moral theology, the
intersection of sacramental theology and justice, and religious life.
2014 recipient of the St. Elizabeth Seton Medal that recognizes a woman who has made outstanding
contributions to theology
Currently a full professor on the faculty of Niagara University in New York
Sister Judith Merkle
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Sister Teresita Weind– Pastoral Minister, Spiritual Director, Preacher, Leader
Born: Columbus, Ohio
1960 entered the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation
1963 professed vows with the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation
1963-1969 – Serves as a nurse in North Dakota and Illinois
1972 – Became affiliated with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and transferred her vows in 1973
1970-1973 – Served as Pastoral Minister at St. Joseph Parish and works in Cabrini Green Projects,
Chicago, Illinois
1973-1979 – Director of Liturgical Formation for Black Parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago
1979-1991 – Pastoral Minister at St. Catherine of Sienna/St. Lucy Parish in Oak Park, Illinois
1991-2005 – Pastoral Minister at Sacred Heart House of Prayer& Ss. Simon and Jude Parish, Saginaw,
Michigan
2001-2005 – Director of the Spirituality Center at Mt. Notre Dame, Reading, Ohio
2005-2007 – Member of the Ohio Province Leadership Team
2007-2008 – Provincial for the Ohio Province
2008-present: Congregational Leader for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
She is gifted with the ability to make the Word of God come alive for people in practical and powerful
ways. She is a woman of deep prayer, contemplative discernment and integrity who has been called by
the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to lead all of us in living out Gospel values in the Spirit of Saint Julie
and according to our Constitutions. She challenges all of us to be more aware of the voices of the poor
and oppressed and more responsive to the needs of those around us.
Listen to a presentation by
Sister Teresita:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
AZrBjmBqFvk
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Sister Judy Tensing– Direct Service to People Trapped in Poverty
Born: Cincinnati, Ohio
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur 1956
Professed her vows 1958
1958-1978 – Served at parish schools in Villa Park and Calumet City, Illinois and Hamilton, Dayton,
Lancaster and Cincinnati, Ohio
1978-1983 – Served as a member of the Pastoral Team at St. Joseph Parish, Cincinnati, Ohio
1984-2010 – Served as Director of the West End Center in Cincinnati
1986 – Founded Power Inspires Progress (PIP) program with another Sister. PIP operates small
businesses in inner-city Cincinnati to provide paid on-the-job training and meaningful work experiences
for adults with employment barriers. Venice Catering and Venice on Vine Pizzeria are two of the small
businesses operated by PIP that provide a structured yet supportive environment where trainees build a
work history, job skills and educational goal.
Sister Judy continues to work with PIP. She says, "We provide a workplace community where people are
able to break out of the cycle of poverty by improving their lives and the lives of their children."
Sister Judy Tensing
Listen to Sister Judy talk about her work: http://www.sndohio.org/sisters-notre-dame/Beyond-theClassroom.cfm
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Sister Therese Del Genio– Direct Service to People Trapped in Poverty
Born in Chicago, Illinois
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1960
Professed her vows in 1962
1964-1974 – Taught in various grade schools in Cincinnati, Illinois and Indiana
1971-1976 – Served as a volunteer, part-time employee and as full-time Director of Harbor House, East
Chicago, Indiana. Harbor House was a shelter and outreach ministry to the homeless. It was there that
Sister Therese discovered her gifts and her passion for working with the homeless and those dealing
with addictions.
1976-1987 – Served on the Pastoral Staff at St. Victor Parish, Calumet City, Illinois
1987-1993 – Served as Assistant Director of Field Education at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago,
Illinois training future ministers
1993-2009 Founded and oversaw the growth of Southwest Chicago P.A.D.S., a ministry to the homeless
2009-2013 – served as Director of Novices training new Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Currently Sister Therese is serving as Assistant to the Social Worker in the Social Service Programs at Our
Daily Bread in Over the Rhine, Cincinnati, Ohio: a ministry of hospitality dedicated to serving the needs
of neighborhood residents and those who frequent the area. The ministry strives to provide stability and
hope to individuals and the neighborhood community, by offering not just a warm meal, but also
providing social services and a place for people to socialize in a safe, respectful and caring environment.
Sister Therese Del Genio
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Sister Anne Ralston– Social Work
Born in Columbus, Ohio
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur 1981
Professed her vows 1983
1986-1995 – Served as a chaplain at hospitals in Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio and Ogden, Utah
1999 to the present – Serves as a Social Worker at University Hospital in Cincinnati. She is often the one
to break the news of a loved one's death to the family. Her gentle compassion helps family members
begin the process of grieving. She says, "I help the families to understand the grief process. I talk about
the role of the coroner and the burial process. I have resources and contacts for when a body needs to
be transported out of the country, or when a family is unable to pay for the burial. I also arrange for the
sacraments such as anointing of the sick." She stays with the family for aslong as she's needed, or until
she's paged to attend another death. When asked how she does it, she smiles and replies, "With the
grace of God."
Sister Anne Ralston
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Sister Catherine Phelps – Educator
Born in Baltimore, Marylandand raised in the Washington, D.C. area
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1950
Professed her vows 1952
1952-1970 – Served as teacher and/or principal in various Notre Dame schools in the Washington and
Baltimore area
1970 – Sent to Trinity School, Ilchester Maryland
She has provided leadership to the Trinity School community for over 40 years. She has worked with her
staff to develop an educational program that encourages students to recognize and accept the
uniqueness of each person. She says, "I know that I am in a position where I can create an environment
that really makes children happy and helps them to thrive. I certainly want to have that same
environment for my teachers where they can grow professionally and spiritually.”
Sister Catherine Phelps
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Sister Kristin Matthes– Young Adult Outreach and Adult Formation
Born in Orlando, Florida
1983 – Entered the Coesfeld Sisters of Notre Dame in Toledo making vows in 1987.
1989-2004 – Taught in various elementary and secondary schools around Ohio
1997 – Became affiliated with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and transferred her vows in 2000
1998 – StartedGiving Voice: a peer-led organization that creates spaces for younger women religious to
build relationships, learn from one another, and build skills for the future with peers across religious
congregations. She served on the Editorial Board for the Giving Voice magazine for 10 years.
2004 – 2008 – Helped to open and served as campus minister and teacher at Notre Dame Cristo Rey
High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts
2011-2014 – Sent to St. Camillus Parish, Silver Spring, Maryland to work in Faith Formation
Currently Sister Kristin is working in Young Adult Ministry. She appreciates the opportunities her work
gives her to create spaces for people to nurture a faith that frees them…that flows from an experience
of their innate goodness as people are formed in the image and likeness of our good God."
Sister Kristin Matthes
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Sister Kathleen Harmon – Author, Teacher of Liturgy
Born in Urbana, Illinois and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1963
Professed her vows in 1965
1967-1978 – Taught English and Religion at Notre Dame High Schools in Chicago, Illinois and
Cincinnati, Ohio
1980-1983 – Served as Vocation Director for the Ohio Unit
1984-1992 – Served as Director of Music at parishes in the Dayton, Ohio area
2001 – Received her Doctorate in Liturgy
Since 2001 she has worked as the music director for programs of the Institute for Liturgical
Ministry in Dayton, Ohio, and is the author of numerous articles and publications including The
Mystery We Celebrate, the Song We Sing: A Theology of Liturgical Music, The Ministry of
Cantors, and The Ministry of Music. She is also a contributor to the Living Liturgy™ family of
resources, published by Liturgical Press. An educator and musician, she facilitates liturgical
music workshops and cantor formation programs. She says, "I help the cantors experience the
psalms as agents of change. When they discover the responsorial psalm is a bridge to
encounter Christ in the Gospel reading, they sing the psalm in a different way. In their singing
and praying of the psalm, they also lead the congregation to a meeting with Christ in the
Gospel."
27
Sister Kathleen Harmon
Sister Geraldine Bolzan– Pastoral Ministry, Training New Sisters
Born: in Chicago, Illinois
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1960
Professed her vows in 1962
1964-1987 – Taught biology at Notre Dame High Schools in Cincinnati, Dayton and Chicago
1987-1993 – Served as a Pastoral Associate at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Chicago
1993-1996 – Served as Director of Religious Education and as Pastoral Associate at other Chicago
parishes
1996-2005 – Served as Vocation Minister for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and was the first Site
Director for the Notre Dame Mission Volunteer AmeriCorps program in Chicago
2005-2012 – Served as Novice Director training Kenyan Sisters of Notre Dame in Nairobi, Kenya
2012-present: serves as Director of Sisters in Initial Commitment (they have not yet made final vows as
Sisters of Notre Dame) and helps to train teachers and catechists. She says the Sisters of Notre Dame in
Kenya "… hope that we may continue to reach out to those living in poverty and help them to help
themselves through education as well as working for justice in dealing with corruption and many other
unjust situations here."
Sister Geraldine Bolzan
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Sister Rose Ann Fleming– Educator, Academic Advisor, Lawyer
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio
Entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1955
Professed her vows in 1957
1957-1960 – Taught Latin and English at Mt. Notre Dame Academy, Cincinnati, Ohio
1960-1975 – Served as Principal of the Summit Country Day School, Cincinnati, Ohio
1975-1982 – Served as President of Trinity College, Washington, D.C.
1982-present – Served at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1985 she was asked to create the Xavier
University academic advising program for its athletes. Since then Xavier has built a 97% success rate of
graduating its athletes and 100% of their men's basketball team athletes have graduated with degrees.
Currently Sister Rose Ann continues to serve at Xavier and is involved in pro-bono legal work often
encompassing children and family issues. Why volunteer as a lawyer? She says, "It's a big problem for
the little person to get adequate help. If I think I can help someone, I will try."
Sister Rose Ann Fleming
Watch this interview: http://www.wlwt.com/news/icymi-xaviers-sr-rose-ann-fleming-on-the-todayshow/31799486