Sister Paul Mary Janssens was born in 1935 in Rock Island, Ill., and was baptized Patricia Ann at St. Joseph’s Church there. She joined the Dominican Sisters of Springfield in 1964 and made her first profession of vows in 1966.
Sister Paul Mary was already teaching before she joined the Dominicans. She taught grade six at Audubon School, Rock Island, Ill., and was president of the Rock Island Teachers Association. After profession she taught at St. Edward School, Chicago, 1966-1969. She then earned a graduate degree in religious studies from Mundelein University, 1969-1970 and then served as the Director of Religious Education at St. Mary, East Moline, 1970-1974. She relocated to Duluth, Minn., where she was principal at Holy Rosary, the Cathedral School, 1974-1980. For a year she served as the assistant principal at Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, 1980-1981. Returning to elementary education, she was the principal at St. Walter, Chicago, 1981-1982; taught junior high at Little Flower School, Springfield, 1982-1983, and then returned to St. Edward, Chicago, where she was principal, 1983-1992. Sister Paul Mary was also principal at Holy Angels, Aurora, 1992-1999, and after a sabbatical served as principal at Little Flower, Springfield, 2000-2003.
From 2003-2006 she was the director of fundraising for St. Catherine’s Village, Madison, Miss., part of the Jackson-based St. Dominic Health Services. St. Catherine’s and St. Dominic’s are now part of the Franciscan Missionary of Our Lady Health System. Sister Paul Mary returned to Springfield to become the director of the Springfield Dominican Associate Program, 2006-2017. Since 2017 she has provided support for the congregation’s mission advancement office and been companion to her sisters at Sacred Heart Convent.
Her mentor for religious life was Springfield Dominican Sister M. Pauletta Overbeck, who, she says, encouraged her vocation. “After having many conversations with Sister Pauletta, I knew in my heart that religious life was for me, and I chose the right community, too!” said Sister Paul Mary.
Her most joyful memories are about the stunts she would pull to encourage donations in support of the students and programs at St. Edward. “I remember sitting on the roof, riding a horse, and even getting on a motorcycle, all to support the school,” she said with a grin.
More about Sister Paul Mary Janssens
- Crowning of Mary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=lPqFlI7QcP0
- Sister Paul Mary Janssens shows off her World Series bat during the Cardinals vs .Cubs game June2, 2017
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10158732585430510
- In Retrospect: Sister Paul Mary Janssens, OP
https://springfieldop.org/in-retrospect-sister-paul-mary-janssens-op/
