Sister Judith Pfile (previously Sister Donna Marie) has been a pastoral associate at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Chatham, Ill, since 2006, where she excels at encouraging parishioners to recognize their own gifts for ministry in the church as baptized Christians. Decatur born and raised, she followed her older sister, Sister Janet Marie (deceased), into Dominican consecrated life. Though, as she will point out, she had already spoken about her vocation to her parents, Bill and Vi Pfile, long before her sister made her intentions clear. "While Janet did join the Springfield Dominicans before me, I knew I was called to religious life by God when I was in 8th grade," she explained. "One night that year, while my parents were out, I left a note on Dad’s dresser saying I wanted to be a sister. When Mom and Dad got home that night they woke me up to talk about it. "
Sister Judith's primary areas of ministry are pastoral ministry and education. All of her ministry has been in Illinois. She began teaching first grade at Sacred Heart, Granite City, and also taught at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Bethalto; St. Agnes and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Springfield, St. Charles Borromeo, Hampshire, and SS Peter and Paul, Cary, where she was principal 1981-1989, and pastoral minister, 2000-2006. She also taught at in Chicago at Our Lady of Grace School and St. Walter School.
Sister Judith's brother Larry Pfile, lives in Chesterfield, Mo., and her sister Donna Sorensen lives in Driftwood Texas.
"I’ve found joy in community life and in the relationships I’ve formed with all those with whom I have journeyed to this day," Sister Judith said. "For those discerning I’d suggest praying daily to ask God’s guidance for how they are called to serve."
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Congratulations, Sr Judith, on 60 years of faithfully serving God and His people. God bless you for that! Have a joyous Jubilee celebration.
Leo and Laura Lenn
Happy Anniversary Sister Judith. How wonderful. 60 years!!! Congratulations!
Congratulations on your Jubilee 60, Sister Judith (Donna Marie). Thank you for serving us at Our Lady Queen of Peace many years ago. I wish the current students could be blessed to have Sisters in the classrooms as we did all those years ago.
With gratitude,
Kim (Ray) Brunstein
Sister Judy was the first person we met at St. Joseph the Worker, when we moved to Chatham 11 years ago. She has been a constant source of love, light and faith. Thank you for your dedication to our parish. Thank you for your support and love over the years. Congratulations on your Jubilee!
Sr Judy… congratulations on 60 years strong in your vocation! I’m so blessed to know you and have you in my parish! I wish you a lifetime of peace, good health, and happiness! Hugs! Missy Clark
Sr Judy… congratulations on 60 years strong in your vocation! I’m so blessed to know you and have you in my parish! I wish you a lifetime of peace, good health, and happiness! Hugs!
Congrats Sister Judith! I enjoyed talking to you after mass each Sunday at St.Joes. Continued blessegings.
Continued blessings to you, Sr. Judy. Your support, guidance and kindness are appreciated by so many. I enjoyed the time we spent working together at St. Joe’s.
Congratulations on your 60th Jubilee and thank you so much for all you’ve done.
Congratulations Sister Judith! Our family appreciates you and your love and support all these years. We are truly blessed.