Jubilarians
50 Years
A Mass will be held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa Mound on Sunday, July 20, for 28 Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters celebrating 50 years. Click here to honor one of our jubilarians.
Sr. Marilyn Aiello, OP (Antonietta)
Sr. Marilyn's home parish is St. Angela, Chicago, in the Chicago Archdiocese. She is a graduate of Trinity High School, River Forest, and is the daughter of the late Anthony and the late Ann (Nataro) Aiello. Sr. Marilyn's ministry has been dedicated to health care. In the Archdiocese of Mobile, Sr. Marilyn taught at Most Pure Heart of Mary High School, 1962-1966, and Toulminville High School, 1970-1974, both Mobile. She graduated from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine (USACM) in 1978. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sr. Marilyn ministered as a physician at Resurrection Hospital, Park Ridge, 1978-1981. In the Diocese of Jackson, Sr. Marilyn ministered as a family physician and served as founder and director of DePorres Health Center, Marks, Quitman County, 1981-1997. She served as an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, 1998-2007. She has also ministered in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. Sr. Marilyn is currently ministering as a medical consultant for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation.
Sister Carol Artery, OP (Amandus)
Sr. Carol's home parish is Our Lady Help of Christians in the Chicago Archdiocese. She is the daughter of the late James and the late Anne (Spranza) Artery. Sr. Carol's ministry has been dedicated to teaching. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sr. Carol taught music and served as the registrar and co-principal at Visitation/Unity Catholic, Chicago, 1966-1986. In the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Sr. Carol ministered as a member of the Dominican Arts Project that served schools in New Orleans, 1992-2005. She has also ministered in Wisconsin. Sr. Carol is currently ministering as co-director of the Office of Arts and Cultural Heritage for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation, Sinsinawa, Wis.
Sister Barbara Becker, OP ((Laurentius)
Sr. Barbara's home parish is St. Lawrence, Faribault, in the St. Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocese. She is the daughter of the late William and the late Janet (Hatfield) Becker and the stepdaughter of the late Donald Becker. Sr. Barbara's ministry has been dedicated to teaching. In the Diocese of Venice, Sr. Barbara taught reading and computers at St. Andrew, Cape Coral, 1991-1999. In the Diocese of St. Augustine, Sr. Barbara has taught computer education at St. Michael Academy, Fernandina Beach, since 1999. She has also ministered in Illinois, Wisconsin, California, New Jersey and New York.
Sister Joris Binder, OP
Sr. Joris' home parish is St. Michael, Wheaton, in the Joliet Diocese. She is the daughter of the late George and the late Ruth (Morgan) Binder. Sr. Joris' ministry has been dedicated to teaching. In the Diocese of Rockford, Sr. Joris taught at St. James, Rockford, 1960-1963. In the Diocese of Madison, Sr. Joris taught at Holy Mother of Consolation, Oregon, 1963-1968, and Queen of Peace, Madison, 1973-1975. She served as the Mound Prioress, Sinsinawa, 2001-2004, and has served as a pastoral minister at St. Dominic Villa, Sinsinawa, since 2006. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sr. Joris taught at St. Philip the Apostle, Northfield, 1968-1973. She ministered as codirector of the Hesburgh Sabbatical Program at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, 1998-2001. In the Diocese of Peoria, Sr. Joris taught and served as principal at Holy Trinity, Bloomington, 1975-1981. In the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Sr. Joris ministered as the assistant rector of Lewis Hall, 1982-1984, and rector of Pasquerilla East Hall, 1984-1995, at the University of Notre Dame, and as the codirector of the Hesburgh Sabbatical Program, Center for Continuing Formation in Ministry (CCFM), University of Notre Dame, 1995-1998. Sr. Joris is currently ministering as a pastoral minister at St. Dominic Villa, Sinsinawa.
Sister Margaret Ann "Peggy" Brennan, OP (Eunice)
Sr. Peggy's home parish is St. Joseph in the Sioux City Diocese. She is a 1953 graduate of Bishop Heelan Catholic High School, Sioux City, and the daughter of the late Charles and the late Kathryn (Fleming) Brennan. Sr. Peggy's ministry has been dedicated to teaching. In the Archdiocese of Omaha, Sr. Peggy taught at Holy Angels, Omaha, 1960-1962. In the Diocese of Bridgeport, Sr. Peggy taught at St. Mary High School, Greenwich, 1963-1965. In the Diocese of Madison, Sr. Peggy taught at Edgewood High School, Madison, 1965-1973. She served as the personal secretary to the Prioress of the Congregation, Sinsinawa, 1977-1986. In the Diocese of Sioux Falls, Sr. Peggy taught at O'Gorman High School, Sioux Falls, 1973-1977. In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Sr. Peggy has been teaching at Dominican High School, Whitefish Bay, since 1986. She has also ministered in Illinois. Sr. Peggy is currently teaching at Dominican High School, Whitefish Bay, Wis.
Sr. Ruella Bouchonville, OP (Mary Des Neiges)
Sr. Ruella's home parish is Ascension, Oak Park, in the Chicago Archdiocese. She is the daughter of the late George and the late Desneiges (Ruel) Bouchonville. Sr. Ruella's ministry has been dedicated to teaching. In the Diocese of Green Bay, Sr. Ruella taught at St. Patrick, Green Bay, 1963-1968, and served in administration there, 1968-1969. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sr. Ruella served in administration at St. Mary School, Evanston, 1969-1973. She taught art at Misericordia Home North, Chicago, 1985-1988; Harper College, Palatine, 1989-2001; Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest, 1991-1996; and the College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, 1990-2001. In the Diocese of Madison, Sr. Ruella taught art at Edgewood College, Madison, 1975-1977 and 1979-1984. She served as the assistant to the facility coordinator at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa, 2004-2007, and is currently a community assistant there. She has also ministered in Minnesota and Oklahoma. Sr. Ruella is currently ministering as a community assistant at the Motherhouse.
Sister Alice Ann Byrne, OP (Roisin)
Sr. Alice Ann's home parish is St. Peter in the Helena Diocese. She is the daughter of the late Peter and the late Rose (McGuire) Byrne. Sr. Alice Ann's ministry has been dedicated to spiritual growth. In the Diocese of Spokane, Sr. Alice Ann has ministered in spiritual direction and as a retreat leader since 2000. In the Diocese of Helena, Sr. Alice Ann served as a pastoral minister at Christ the King, Missoula, 1989-1991; Anaconda Catholic Community, Holy Family, Anaconda, 1991-1993; and Pope John XXIII Catholic Community, Missoula, 1994-1998. She has also ministered in Wisconsin, Montana, Illinois and Texas. Sr. Alice Ann is currently ministering in spiritual direction and as a retreat leader in Spokane, Wash.
Sr. Sharon Casey, OP (Davidica)
Sr. Sharon's home parish is St. Albert the Great in the St. Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocese. She is the daughter of Charlotte (Bitter) Casey and the late J. T. Casey. Sr. Sharon's ministry has been dedicated to teaching and pastoral ministry. In the Diocese of Sioux City, Sr. Sharon taught at Blessed Sacrament Sioux City, 1959-1963. In the Diocese of Peoria, Sr. Sharon taught at St. Mark, Peoria, 1963-1969. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sr. Sharon taught at Epiphany, Chicago, 1969-1971; and Immaculate Conception, Chicago, 1974-1982. In the Diocese of Cheyenne, Sr. Sharon taught at St. Mary, Cheyenne, 1971-1974. In the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minnesota, Sr. Sharon taught at St. Albert, Minneapolis, 1982-1987. In the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Sr. Sharon served as a pastoral minister at St. Dominic Villa, Dubuque, 1990-1997. She has also ministered in Wisconsin. Sr. Sharon is currently ministering in home eldercare in Minneapolis.
Sister Barbara Dannhausen, OP (Milo)
Sr. Barbara's home parish is Stella Maris, Egg Harbor, in the Green Bay Diocese. She is the daughter of the late Harold and the late Helen (Eberle) Dannhausen. Sr. Barbara's ministry has been dedicated to education and consulting. In the Diocese of Rockford, Sr. Barbara taught at Freeport Aquin High School, Freeport, 1966-1974. In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Sr. Barbara taught math at St. Mary's Springs High School and was the curriculum coordinator and assistant to the president of Marian College for Teacher Education, both Fond du Lac, 1975-1979. From 1979 to 1998, Sr. Barbara served in the Archdiocesan Central Office, Milwaukee, in the Office of Education, 1981-1989; Office of Christian Formation, 1979-1992; and Parish Planning and Collaboration as the director, 1992-1998. Sr. Barbara cofounded Mission Development Associates in 1989 and has since worked to assist organizations to achieve their mission through organizational development and planning. She has also served as the director of the Mission Integration Office for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation since 1998. She has also ministered in Nebraska and Iowa. Sr. Barbara is currently ministering as director of the Sinsinawa Dominican Mission Integration Office.
Sister Katharine Donohue, OP (Julitta)
Sr. Katharine is the daughter of the late Edward and the late Julia (High) Donohue. Her ministry has been dedicated to health care. In the Diocese of Lexington, Sr. Katharine ministered as a family nurse practitioner in Hyden, 1987-2006. She has also ministered in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and South Carolina. Sr. Katharine is currently on sabbatical.
Sister Marion Hangsterfer, OP (Francisca)
Sr. Marion's home parish is St. Peter Canisuis in the Chicago Archdiocese. She is the daughter of the late Frank and the late Marion (Gahan) Hangsterfer. Sr. Marion's ministry has been dedicated to education, both teaching and administration. In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Sr. Marion taught at St. Rose, Milwaukee, 1958-1964. In the Diocese of Madison, Sr. Marion taught at St. Mary, Portage, 1964-1969. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sr. Marion taught at St. Brendan, Chicago, 1969-1977. In the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Sr. Marion ministered as the principal at SS. Peter and Paul, Kingfisher, 1977-1983. In the Diocese of Dallas, Sr. Marion taught at St. Paul the Apostle, Richardson, 1986-1994. In the Diocese of Palm Beach, Sr. Marion ministered at Hope Rural School, Indiantown, where she was an assistant in development, 1994-1996, and was principal, 1996-2006. She has also ministered in California. Sr. Marion is currently on sabbatical.
Sister Monice Kavanaugh, OP
Sr. Monice's home parish is St. Giles in the Chicago Archdiocese. She is the daughter of the late Michael and the late Genevieve (Shinnick) Kavanaugh. Sr. Monice's ministry has been dedicated to adult education. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sr. Monice taught at Queen of Peace, Burbank, 1966-1976, where she also served as the chair of the Christian Living Department. She ministered as a pastoral associate at Sr. Fabian Parish, Bridgeview, 1976-1984; as the director of formation for the Diaconate Formation Program for the Archdiocese, 1984-1991; and as a pastoral associate at Immaculate Conception Parish, Chicago, 1991-1999. Since 1999, Sr. Manice has served as the executive director of the Learning Center, Chicago. She has also ministered in New York and Wisconsin.
Sr. Maureen Kelley, OP (Bernard)
Sr. Maureen's home parish is Sacred Heart in the Omaha Archdiocese. She is the daughter of the late Paul and the late Anne (Maher) Kelley. Sr. Maureen's ministry has been dedicated to teaching and pastoral ministry. In the Archdiocese of Mobile, Sr. Maureen ministered as the principal at Most Pure Heart of Mary, Mobile, 1967-1975. In the Diocese of St. Augustine, Sr. Maureen has served as the bishop's delegate for the religious of the diocese since 1993. She also is the parish minister for social justice ministries at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Orange Park. She has also ministered in Illinois, Wisconsin and Mississippi.
Sr. Rita Clare Kristoff, OP
Sr. Rita Clare's home parish is St. Nicholas, Millvale, in the Pittsburgh Diocese. She is the daughter of the late Joseph and the late Barbara (Gersic) Kristoff. Sr. Rita Clare's ministry has been dedicated to teaching. She has ministered in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wyoming, Indiana, and Kansas. Sr. Rita Clare is currently ministering as a resource catechist at Divine Infant Parish, Westchester, IL.
Sr. Denise Lyons, OP (Rosemary)
She is the daughter of the late Joseph and the late Mary (Denzel) Lyons. Sr. Denise's ministry has been dedicated to teaching. She has ministered in Montana and Washington. Sr. Denise is living in community in Spokane, WA.
Sister Geran Madison, OP
Sr. Geran's home parish is St. Albert the Great in the St. Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocese. She is the daughter of the late Dean and the late Gilliana (Pipp) Madison. Sr. Geron's ministry has been dedicated to teaching. In the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Sr. Geron taught at Resurrection, Minneapolis, 1970-1984; Regina, Minneapolis, 1984-1987; and Our Lady of Grace, Edina, 1986-1987. Since 1989, she has taught at St. Michael, West St. Paul. She has also ministered in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Sr. Kathleen Malone, OP (Donaldus)
Sr. Kathleen is the daughter of the late Francis and the late Dorothy (Vaugniaux) Malone. Sr. Kathleen's ministry has been dedicated to teaching. She has ministered in Wisconsin and Illinois. Sr. Kathleen is currently ministering as the president/principal at Edgewood Campus School, Madison, WI.
Sr. Margaret "Peg" Ortman, OP (Vincente)
Sr. Peg's home parish is Holy Angels, Omaha, in the Omaha Archdiocese. She is the daughter of the late Vincent and the late Mary (Cummings) Ortman. Sr. Peg's ministry has been dedicated to teaching for 30 years and publishing for the past 15 years. In the Diocese of Madison, Sr. Peg has ministered doing editorial work in the Communication Office for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation, Sinsinawa, since 1998. She has also ministered in Illinois, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Iowa.
Sister Mary Paynter, OP (Maria de Ricci)
Sr. Mary's home parish is St. Raphael in the Madison Diocese. She is the daughter of the late Arthur and the late Jane (O'Neill) Paynter. Sr. Mary's ministry has been dedicated to teaching. In the Diocese of Madison, Sr. Mary has ministered at Edgewood College, Madison, as a professor of English, 1970-1973 and 1990-2000; and as assistant to the president, for special projects, 2000-2004. Sr. Mary has served as the vice-postulator for the Cause of Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli since 2005. She has also ministered in Illinois.
Sr. Ellen Marie Rice, OP (Katrine)
Sr. Ellen Marie is the daughter of the late John and the late Evelyn (Ryan) Rice. Her ministry has been dedicated to teaching. She has ministered in Minnesota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, New York, Illinois, and Florida. Sr. Ellen Marie is currently ministering as an assistant professor for the school of education at Barry University, Miami Shores, FL.
Sister Virginia Ripp, OP (Agneta)
Sr. Virginia's home parish is St. Francis Xavier, Cross Plains, in the Madison Diocese. She is the daughter of the late Charles "Carl" and the late Eleanor (Kalscheur) Ripp. Sr. Virginia's ministry has been dedicated to teaching and secretarial/administrative work. In the Diocese of Madison, Sr. Virginia taught at St. Mary, Portage, 1960-1966. She served as the personal secretary to the Prioress of the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation, 1967-1977, and as an administrative assistant to the academic dean/vice president for academic affairs at Edgewood College, Madison, 1986-2005. In the Diocese of Peoria, Sr. Virginia taught at Central Catholic High School, Bloomington, 1977-1984. In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Sr. Virginia has served as an office assistant and tutor at the Dominican Center for Women, Milwaukee, since 2005. She has also ministered in Texas.
Sister Mary Ann Schintz, OP (Raoul)
Sr. Mary Ann's home parish is St. Augustine, South St. Paul, MN. She is the daughter of the late Rollo and the late Anna (Landis) Schintz. Sister Mary Ann's ministry has been dedicated to education. From 1958-66 she was an assistant to Sister Joan Smith, Registrar, Edgewood College, Madison, and in 1966-67 taught history at Dominican High School, Whitefish Bay, WI. Assigned to live at Blessed Sacrament Convent, Madison, she spent 1967-71 studying Chinese history at the University of Wisconsin, including a year (1969-70) at various Maryknoll Sisters' Convents in Hong Kong and Taiwan. A member of the history faculty at Edgewood College from 1971-2003, she taught various courses in East Asian history, philosophy, religious studies, art history, and a graduate course in global education.
Sr. Margaret Sheffield, OP
Sr. Margaret's home parish is St. Mary of the Hills, Milton, in the Boston Archdiocese. She is the daughter of the late Raymond and the late Margaret (O'Brien) Sheffield. Sr. Margaret's ministry has been dedicated to chaplaincy. Sr. Margaret (Joan Frances) entered the Carmelite Monastery in Roxbury, Mass., in 1956 and made profession as Sister Margaret Mary of the Sacred Hearts on Oct. 26, 1958. She was a member of the Foundation to the Carmelite Monastery in South Dartmouth in 1966. On July 26, 1980, Sr. Margaret transferred her vows of profession to the Dominican Congregation of the Most Holy Rosary of Sinsinawa, Wis. In the Diocese of Green Bay, Sr. Margaret served as a pastoral minister at St. Peter Parish, Oshkosh, 1979-1980. In the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Sr. Margaret ministered as a chaplain at Providence Hospital, Anchorage, 1984-1987. In the Archdiocese of Miami, Sr. Margaret ministered as a chaplain with VITAS Hospice Services, Hollywood, 1989-1997. In the Archdiocese of Newark, Sr. Margaret ministered as a pastoral minister at Center for Hope Hospice, Elizabeth, 1997-1999. In the Diocese of Madison, Sr. Margaret served as a pastoral minister at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa, 1999-2003 and since 2005, and at St. Dominic Villa, Sinsinawa, 2004-2005. She has also ministered in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Washington, California and Georgia. Sr. Margaret is currently serving as a pastoral minister at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa.
Sister Dorothea Snaer, OP (Guillaume)
Sr. Dorothea's home parish is Holy Family, Glendale, in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. She is the daughter of Anna (Ratigan) Snaer and the late Bernard Snaer. Sr. Dorothea's ministry has been dedicated to teaching and pastoral care. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sr. Dorothea taught French at Trinity, River Forest, 1958-1968, and at Queen of Peace, Burbank, 1970-1978. In the Diocese of Rockford, Sr. Dorothea taught French at Freeport Aquin, Freeport, 1968-1970. In the Diocese of Madison, Sr. Dorothea taught French at Edgewood College, Madison, 1979-1995. In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Sr. Dorothea taught French at Holy Family, Glendale, 1996-2006. Sr. Dorothea is currently serving as the coordinator of ministry to the sick at Holy Family parish, Glendale, Calif.
Sister Sharon Stangler, OP
Sr. Sharon's home parish is St. Michael the Archangel, Conrad, in the Helena Diocese. She is the daughter of Ruth (McCown) Stangler and the late Frank Stangler. Sr. Sharon made her religious profession as a Poor School Sister of St. Dominic of Speyer, Germany, at Kettle Falls, Wash., in 1958. The congregation members at Kettle Falls became the Dominican Sisters of Spokane in 1986 and merged with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1995. Sr. Sharon's ministry has been dedicated to social and health services. In the Diocese of Spokane, Sr. Sharon ministered as a registered nurse at St. Martin's Hospital (now North Valley Hospital), Tonasket, 1963-1965; Mount Carmel Hospital, Colville, 1965-1969; and as a public health nurse at the Spokane County Health District, Spokane, 1969-1972. From 1978 to 1980, Sr. Sharon served as associate professor at Intercollegiate School of Nursing, Spokane. She served in congregation leadership, 1978-1984, and spent 1984-1988 as vice president of mission services for Holy Family Hospital, Spokane; St. Joseph's Hospital, Chewelah; and Mount Carmel Hospital, Colville. Since 1989, Sr. Sharon has ministered as executive director of DominiCare In-Home Services for the Northeast Tri-County region. In the Diocese of Raleigh, Sr. Sharon ministered as an associate professor at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, 1973-1976. From 1976 to 1978, Sr. Sharon coauthored a textbook on child development, Screening Growth and Development of Preschool Children: A Guide for Test Selection, published by McGraw-Hill.
Sr. Mary Toeckes, OP (Matthias)
Sr. Mary's home parish is St. Mary of the Rosary, Chewelah, in the Spokane Diocese. She is the daughter of the late Matthew and the late Edith (Temple) Toeckes. Sr. Mary's ministry has been dedicated to nursing and pastoral ministry. Sr. Mary made her religious profession as a Poor School Sister of St. Dominic of Speyer, Germany, at Kettle Falls, Wash., in 1958. The congregation members at Kettle Falls became the Dominican Sisters of Spokane in 1986 and merged with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1995. In the Diocese of Spokane, Sr. Mary has ministered as a registered nurse at Holy Family Hospital, Spokane, 1964-1972; Mount Carmel Hospital, Colville, 1972-1973 and 1975-1980; St. Joseph's Hospital, Chewelah, 1980-1984. She served as a chaplain at Mount Carmel Hospital, Colville, 1986-1994, and St. Joseph's Hospital, Chewelah, 1986-2007. She has also ministered in Montana. Sr. Mary is retired and lives in community at St. Joseph Convent, Chewelah.
Sr. Ruth Wallin, OP (Christella)
Sr. Ruth's home parish is St. Bernard in the Madison Diocese. She is the daughter of the late Jim and the late Marion (Tollefson) Wallin. Sr. Ruth's ministry has been dedicated to wholeness health care. In the Diocese of Madison, Sr. Ruth taught at Edgewood Campus School, Madison, 1969-1973. She has served as a massage therapist at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa, since 2001. In the Diocese of Spokane, Sr. Ruth ministered as the director of religious education at St. John Vianney Parish, Spokane, 1973-1978. In the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Sr. Ruth served as a massage therapist, Albuquerque, 1995-2001, and as guitarist and song leader at Queen of Angels Chapel, Albuquerque, 1994-2001. She has also ministered in Illinois, Montana, California and Texas.
Sr. Ann Willits, OP (Caitlin)
Sr. Ann's home parish is Nativity in the Dubuque Archdiocese. She is the daughter of the late Dr. Henry M. and the late Kathleen (Tracy) Willits. Sr. Ann's ministry has been dedicated to education, both teaching and administration; congregation administration; and itinerant preaching. She has ministered in Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, as well as led retreats and parish missions all over the United States. She served on the General Council of the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation, 1973-1982. Sr. Ann is currently ministering as an itinerant preacher.