Sister Francis Mary has touched many lives by sharing her gifts as a liturgist, choir director, and music teacher throughout 60 years of religious profession. Born, baptized, and raised in Springfield, with few exceptions, she has stayed close to home. Her first assignment was teaching sixth graders and directing the choir at St. Mary School, East Moline, Ill. (1962-1966). She also spent a year teaching junior high students at Holy Rosary Duluth, Minn. (1971), and one year as […]

Sister Mary Jean was born and raised in the Quad Cities, and with one exception has spent her entire ministerial life in the Springfield diocese. Sixteen of those years were spent in community leadership as a member of the general council 1989-1997 and then as prioress general 1997-2005. Early in religious life, she often taught music and led the parish choir alongside her duties as teacher or principal. She taught middle grades and music at Cathedral School, Springfield, […]

Sister Susan Karina’s early years of ministry were spent in Chicago, where she served as an adjunct instructor at Barat College and DePaul University, 1997-1999. She was archivist for the Diocese of Springfield, 1999-2007, during which time she researched diocesan history and authored Come to the Water, a book published for the sesquicentennial of the diocese in 2003. Sister Susan Karina subsequently studied healthcare mission integration and since 2008 has served as the director, and then as vice-president […]

Sister Linda Mary said that when she first entered Sacred Heart Convent chapel for prayer more than a quarter century ago she was struck by the sheer beauty. “I knew God was calling me to religious life in community and was searching for that community. I was swept up in the beautiful voices of the sisters singing in prayer and was overwhelmed in peace and knew at that moment I was home.” In her 25 years as a Dominican Sister of Springfield Sister Linda Mary […]