Sister Janet Marie Pfile, OP

Sister Janet Marie Pfile was born to Vi and William Pfile in Decatur in 1941. When she entered the novitiate in 1960 her religious name was Sister Maria del Rey though she later reverted to her baptismal name. Her younger sister, Judith would join her in Dominican life two years later.

Sister Janet Marie’s early religious life was spent as an elementary school teacher and principal. She taught at St. Walter School, Chicago, 1961-1965 and St. Michael School, Duluth, Minn., 1965-1969. She taught junior high school and was principal at St. Mary School, East Moline, Ill., 1970-1977 while studying during those years at St. Ambrose College. She was principal and junior high teacher at St. Mary School, New Berlin, Ill., 1977-1983 and then from 1983-1987 was principal at St. Dominic School, Quincy, Ill. In 1987 she moved on to St. Charles Borromeo School, Hampshire, Ill., and from there in 1989 she became principal of Ss. Peter & Paul School, Cary, Ill.

From 1993-1995 she taught algebra and assisted in the office at Rosary High School, Aurora, Ill., before moving on to pastoral ministry. She served first at St. James Parish, Rockford, Ill., 1995-2007, and then at Holy Family Parish in Decatur, Ill., where she began ministry in 2007 and remains today.

“In my past 60 years in Religious Life, I feel that I have received more than I have given,” Sister Janet Marie said. “The community of my sisters, the children with whom I interacted in the classroom, the staff, parents, and student body of places where I have ministered as principal, and co-workers and parishioners of all ages in the various parishes I have served have shown me the face of Christ in varied ways. My call to be the Holy Preaching within Dominican life has been nourished first of all, by God and the gifts He has given me, but also accompanied by the blessing of faith-filled people who have journeyed with me.”

Sister Janet Marie’s parents are deceased. In addition to her sister, Sister Judith Pfile, OP, who lives in Springfield, she has a brother, Larry Pfile, Kirkwood, Mo., and a sister, Donna Sorenson in Round Rock, Texas.

Congratulations Sister Janet Marie!