Sister Judine Hilbing, OP

Sister Judine Hilbing has faithfully served in the ministry of education for 60 years. She was born in Quincy, Ill., and baptized at St. Peter’s Church. She had three siblings; her brother Jack is deceased; her sister Mary Eling resides in Quincy; and her sister, Springfield Dominican Sister Judith Hilbing, lives with her at St. Martin dePorres Convent in South Chicago.

Her educational degrees are from St. Ambrose University, the University of Illinois, and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville where she earned a certificate in administration.

For 21 years Sister Judine taught elementary school, making an impact on students at St. Agnes and Christ the King in Springfield and Holy Family in Decatur as well as St. Walter in Chicago and St. Thomas More in Elgin.

For the next 32 years she was a school administrator, first at St. John Neumann, Maryville, then at St. Michael and Immaculate Conception in Chicago. For 8 years she was president of Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights and continues to minister there today as director of the scholarship and tuition assistance program. She also served for a time as the director of the food pantry at St. Irenaeus, Park Forest, Ill.

“Living as a vowed religious is a dynamic and ever-changing opportunity to be immersed in Gospel values.” Sister Judine said. “Throughout these sixty years, I have been nourished by situations and relationships that have deepened my appreciation for God and all Creation. I find joy most easily when I embrace each day of my earthly journey as a precious gift of the Spirit.”