Sister Theodora Stremlau, OP

Sister M. Theodora has given much of her ministerial energy to the faith formation of young people. She taught theology at  Marian Catholic, Chicago Heights, Ill., Sacred Heart Academy/Sacred Heart-Griffin, Springfield, Ill., and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Hammond, La.,

For ten years she was formation director for the Dominican Sisters at the motherhouse in Springfield, and then for five years was an administrative assistant and substitute teacher at Rosary High School, Aurora, Ill.

Now she lives at Sacred Heart Convent where she assists where she is needed in support of community life. Her very earliest days of ministry were spent teaching middle school students in central Illinois at Holy Family School, Decatur, St. Francis School, Jerseyville, and Sacred Heart School, Granite City.

An avid reader and observer of life, Sister Theodora says her best advice for young people is to "Be open to God's spirit working within" because "The power of God’s grace and God’s call is undeniably compelling." Her greatest joys have come from living in community and sharing ministry with her Dominican Sisters, she says.

She recognizes the necessity, value, and encouragement that comes from collaborative effort. As an example, she recalls an important community commitment to the process of becoming an antiracist congregation. "The idea seemed so daunting to me," she said. "I remember feeling some anxiety right after the vote, and then being encouraged by the thought 'You are not going to do it alone.' And indeed, we have not. We have had so many wonderful partners in this work."

Born in Mendota, Ill, to Theodore and Francile Stremlau, who are deceased, Sister M. Theodora'f family includes her three sisters and their families: Janet Martin, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc.; Barbara Wargo, Streator, Ill., and Kristian Inman, Oakland, Calif.