Women and men religious have special vocations to serve the people of God where they are and especially in times of need. Throughout their lives, these religious touch the lives of countless people, often quietly, and represent Jesus to many. Chicago Catholic recognizes the many here who have ties to the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Women religious

Benedictine Sisters of Chicago

75 Years

Sister Benita Coffey is a spiritual mentor at St. Scholastica Monastery and an advocate for social issues. She taught at Chicago parochial schools and is a former vocation director and subprioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago.

70 Years

Sister Karen Bland was born in Chicago and was active in education, administration and social issues. She taught at Chicago parochial schools and is a former prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago.

60 Years

Sister Mary Susan Remsgar is the prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago. She has taught at Chicago parochial schools, in addition to working in parish ministry and social work.

50 Years

Sister Judith Zonsius is treasurer and liturgist for the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago. She is also archdiocesan coordinator for the Retirement Fund for Religious and coordinator of Uncle Pete’s Ministries. She has also served as her community’s subprioress.

Sister of St. Casimir

75 Years

Sister Leandra Yerkes was born in Chicago and was an educator and missionary. She taught at St. George, St. Joseph and Our Lady of Vilna/St. Paul schools.

70 Years

Sister M. Immacula Wendt served in education and community leadership. She taught at St. George School and in Darien.

60 Years

Sister Virginia Gapsis, born in Chicago, was an educator and administrator. She taught at Providence of God, Immaculate Conception, Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Clement and St. Norbert, Northbrook.

Cenacle Sisters

50 Years

Sister Laura Koberlein served in pastoral care, including at Ascension Living Resurrection Village Life Center. Her ministries also included therapeutic massage and body work, spirituality, community support and local leadership at Cenacle Retreat House.

Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul

70 Years

Sister Joanne Cozzi, a Chicago native, was an educator. She taught and was principal at schools in several states, including Illinois.

Sister Mary Katherine Heenan was born in Chicago. She served in education and social, parish and Hispanic ministries.

Sister Rosalind England was born in Brookfield. She was a nurse at St. Joseph Health Center and Hospital and also served St. Marillac Social Center.

60 Years

Sister Catherine Mary Norris was born in Chicago and has served in social and campus ministries, counseling and provincial leadership. She directed the St. Vincent de Paul Center and was director of campus ministry at DePaul University.

Sister Mary Kay Tyrell, a Chicago native, served in healthcare at Catholic Healthcare Partners, St. Joseph Services and Resurrection Health Care System. She was also her community’s superior at St. Joseph Residence.

Sister Sharon Haskins was born in Chicago. She served in education, parish and Hispanic ministries, counseling and spiritual direction and retreats.

Sisters of Christian Charity

75 Years

Sister Elizabeth Ann Buscher taught at St. Isaac Jogues, Niles; was an instructor at Mallinckrodt College, Wilmette; and was provincial treasurer at Maria Immaculata Convent, Wilmette.

70 Years

Sister Eleanor Ann Ortmann has ministered in community leadership. She also served at House of Prayer in Steger; Josephinum Convent and High School for Girls; and has also taught second through eighth grades in Chicago, Clarendon Hills and Morton Grove.

65 Years

Sister Dolores Bozif has ministered in education, special education and with the Companions of Pauline. She taught at St. Teresa School and worked in pastoral ministry at St. Aloysius Parish. She was also sacristan/receptionist at Sacred Heart Convent in Wilmette.

Adrian Dominicans

70 Years

Sister Marilee Ewing was associate principal at Immaculate Heart of Mary High School, Westchester, and principal of Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette. She also served her community as an administrative assistant.

Sister Anne Guinan was a law clerk and attorney at Rush Medical Center and assistant public defender. In addition to serving her community, she directed volunteer services for Chicago Legal Aid and served on the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

Sister Grace Henneberry taught at St. Rita, St. Columbanus and St. Laurence schools. She also taught and was later principal at Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein.

Sister Rosario Martin served in education and pastoral care. She taught at St. Columbanus, St. Rita and St. Joseph, Homewood.

Sister Donna Joan Mehney taught at six schools in the archdiocese, as well as at Aquinas High School; Quigley Preparatory Seminary North; Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette; Queen of Peace High School, Burbank; and Carmel Catholic High School, Mundelein. 

Sister Mary Kathleen O’Neill taught at Aquinas and Siena high schools. She was also associate director of Cenacle Retreat House and volunteer coordinator at Eighth Day Center for Peace and Justice and secretary at Most Holy Redeemer, Evergreen Park.

60 Years

Sister Teresa Mayrand served in education and campus ministry. Among her assignments, she was administrator at Grace House in Chicago.

Sinsinawa Dominicans

75 Years

Sister Barbara Bartek has served in teaching, administration, pastoral ministry and healthcare. She taught at St. Barnabas and St. Jarlath schools; Trinity High School, River Forest; as well as in Bloomington, Illinois.

70 Years

Sister Diane Boutet was associate coordinator of religious education at St. Thomas of Villanova, Palatine; pastoral associate at St. Clement; and development director at Visitation Catholic School.

Sister Carol Coenen was principal of St. Giles, Oak Park, and taught at Immaculate Conception. She was also theology department chair at Trinity High School and directed religious education at St. Vincent Ferrer, both in River Forest. 

Sister Patricia Gallagher served in teaching, liturgy and music and campus ministry. She ministered at St. Luke parish and school in River Forest; St. Gertrude Parish (Granville Avenue); Dominican University, River Forest; and in Rockford, Illinois.

Sister Virginia Geniesse was a teacher, educational administrator and hospital chaplain. She taught at St. Mary, Evanston; St. Barnabas; and St. Thomas the Apostle Grade School and High School; and in East Dubuque, Illinois.

Sister Lauretana Gorman was a teacher and pastoral care minister. She taught at Immaculate Conception and in Bloomington, Illinois.

Sister Doris Ravenhorst served in education, pastoral care and study enrichment. She taught at Visitation High School.

Sister Patricia Dillon has been a teacher, librarian and business administrator. She taught at St. Luke, River Forest; Epiphany; and St. Giles, Oak Park. She was business manager at St. Pius V Parish and Visitation School.

60 Years

Sister Teresa Auad was a social worker and grant writer. She was director at Catholic Charity Bureau and was an administrator at Family Shelter, both in Chicago, in addition to ministry in her native Bolivia.

Sister Mary Ann Casey served in initial membership ministry for her community. She taught at St. Richard and in Kewanee, Illinois. She was also vocation codirector in Chicago and directed religious education for the Rockford Diocese.

Sister Carolyn Croft taught at St. Giles, Oak Park, and at Charles J. Sahs School, Stickney. She also worked with developmentally disabled children at Harris School in Chicago and founded the 4A Center in Chicago as a tutoring site.

Sister Gloria Glynn was a teacher and pastoral minister. She taught preschool, in a GED program and in English as a second language classes. She also served at St. Luke Parish, River Forest, and St. Zachary Parish, Des Plaines.

Sister Kathryn Komarek was active in ministry development and healing. Certified as a chaplain and spiritual guide, she taught at St. Vincent Ferrer, River Forest, and was a hospital chaplain at Resurrection Medical Center.

Sister Gretchen Krueger ministered in teaching and religious education. She taught at Immaculate Conception.

Sister Sarah Naughton taught math and religion at Trinity High School in River Forest, as well as teaching in Texas and Wisconsin. She also served her congregation as provincial councilor and as general finance officer at the motherhouse.

Sister Kathleen Phelan served in secondary education, administration and philanthropy. She was provincial councilor and served on the Leadership Council. She was also a teacher, assistant administrator and development director at Queen of Peace High School, Burbank.

Sister Nora Schaefer taught at St. George and St. Stephen schools and was principal at St. Basil and St. Thomas the Apostle schools. She was also a parish director of religious education.

50 Years

Sister Marcia Holthaus has ministered in teaching and liturgical and musical direction. She taught at St. Thomas the Apostle School. She has also served in Decatur, Illinois, and in Montana, New Mexico and Wisconsin.

Sister Susan Keim taught at St. Thomas the Apostle High School.

Sister Mary Jane Quinn has served in pastoral ministry and clinical care. She served her community as vocation director and later served in clinical pastoral care in Indiana, Illinois and Massachusetts.

Springfield Dominicans

75 Years

Sister M. Bride Quinn was an elementary school teacher at St. Christina and Our Lady of Grace.

60 Years

Sister Judith Curran was born in Chicago. She taught at St. John Bosco and St. Edward and was director of the Dominican Literacy Center.

Sister Linda Hayes taught at St. Walter School and at St. Bernadette, Evergreen Park. She was also general treasurer for her community.

Sister Paul Mary Janssens taught at St. Walter and St. Edward and was assistant principal of Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights. She also served at Sacred Heart Convent.

Sister Kathleen O’Connor, was born in Evanston, taught at Our Lady of Grace and was assistant principal at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights. She was also codirector of the Dominican Literacy Center in Springfield.

Sister Kathleen Ryan, born in Chicago, taught elementary education and English as a second language. She taught and was principal at St. Bernadette, Evergreen Park.

Franciscan Sisters of Chicago

75 Years

Sister Colette Kwieczka was born in Chicago. She taught at St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr; Five Holy Martyrs; and St. Pancratius.

70 Years

Sister Kathleen Melia taught at St. Louise de Marillac, La Grange, and Madonna High School. She was an administrator and social worker at St. Joseph Home. She also worked and volunteered at facilities in Lemont, Chicago and Niles.

Sisters of St. Francis of Clinton, Iowa

75 Years

Sister Donna Burke served in education and pastoral ministry. She taught at St. Kieran, Chicago Heights.

Sister Maria Zeimen ministered in education, pastoral ministry, social services and congregational administration. She taught at St. Gerald, Oak Lawn, and helped found L’Arche in Chicago. She also volunteered in the Chicago area with gardening and detained immigrants.

70 Years

Sister Marilyn Barry has been an educator and pastoral minister. She taught at St. Gerald, Oak Lawn, and in Macomb, Illinois.

Sister Martinelle Bonnell was an educator, having taught at St. Gerald, Oak Lawn.

Sister Marilyn Shea served in education and congregational leadership. She taught at St. Gerald, Oak Lawn, and was a teacher and principal at St. Kieran, Chicago Heights.

20 Years

Sister Sarah Martz is a recovery support specialist at Metropolitan Family Services in Palos Hills. She is also a mentor and children’s advocate at Port Ministries.

Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, Iowa

70 Years

Sister Margaret Mary Feldner taught at Sacred Heart, Melrose Park.

Sister Grace Ann White taught at St. John Brebeuf, Niles.

60 Years

Sister Marci Blum served in education, faith formation and spiritual direction. She taught at St. Christopher School, Midlothian, and Corpus Christi.

Sister Pat Farrell ministered in social work. She was a therapist with Latina Counseling Services.

Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration

25 Years

Sister Mary Joseph Watkins served in education and healthcare, including ministry as a patient visitor for Franciscan Health’s suburban division.

School Sisters of St. Francis

80 Years

Sister Therese Marie Frey was a teacher and director of religious education. She taught at St. William and served at Our Lady of Hope Parish, Rosemont, and in Lombard, Illinois.

Sister Claire Pink was a musician and teacher, having served at St. Philomena parish and school, St. Benedict, St. Clara and St. Matthias.

75 Years

Sister Nancy Hansen was born in Chicago and was an educator, registered nurse and health advocate. She taught at St. Benedict High School.

Sister Mary Beth Minkel was a teacher and principal. Born in Chicago, she served at St. Joseph, Wilmette; Holy Angels; St. Maria Addolorata; Queen of Angels and St. Edward.

Sister Julia Rice has been a teacher and attorney. She taught at St. Benedict High School and Madonna High and in Aurora, Illinois.

70 Years

Sister Marian Abing worked in education, libraries and pastoral care. She was a teacher-counselor at Carmel Catholic High School, Mundelein, and served in the library at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, Lake Forest.

Sister Kathleen Kunze served in schools, nonprofits and provincial leadership. She taught at Blessed Agnes and was program director at Dehon House for the Homeless.

Sister Bernadette Luecker was born in Chicago and was a musician and teacher. She served at Alvernia High School and St. Symphorosa; and at St. Raymond and St. Thomas Becket parishes, both in Mount Prospect.

Sister Jo Ann Miller was an educational consultant and teacher, having served at Alvernia High School.

60 Years

Sister Karen Marie Ramey was born in Chicago and ministered in nursing and teaching. She taught at St. Benedict High School and was also a health advocate.

School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King

70 Years

Sister Francine Hribar serves in prison ministry and tutoring. She was an educator and administrator, having served at Mount Assisi Academy, Lemont, and Sacred Heart, South Chicago.

Sister Germaine Sulak was a teacher and administrator. She served at St. George School (Ewing Avenue), Holy Trinity (Throop Street) and Sacred Heart in South Chicago.

60 Years

Sister Barbara Markovich served at Sacred Heart School, South Chicago; Mount Assisi Academy and Alvernia Manor Senior Living, both in Lemont; and Our Lady of the Angels retreat ministry.

Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth

70 Years

Sister Elizabeth Jean Ronkowski was an educator born in Chicago. She served at St. Blase, Argo; Immaculate Heart of Mary; and Nazarethville Nursing Home in Des Plaines.

65 Years

Sister Karen Kellereski served in schools, religious education, pastoral ministry and pastoral care in nursing homes, including spiritual care at Nazarethville Nursing Home in Des Plaines.

60 Years

Sister Michael Marie Franzak was born in Chicago and was an educator. She taught at St. Ann School (18th Place).

Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

70 Years

Sister Elizabeth Pardo taught at St. Felicitas. She also taught special education at Misericordia Home, St. Bride and West Suburban Associates, Cicero.

Sister of the Living Word

75 Years

Sister Colette Fahrner was born in Chicago. She was principal of St. Gregory High School and St. Ita. She also served at St. Martha, Morton Grove, and St. Peter, Antioch, as well as in Woodstock, Illinois.

70 Years

Sister Jeanette Salbert taught at St. Gregory High School and St. Basil-Visitation, where she was also office manager.

Sister Joanne Ingoglia was born in Chicago. She taught at St. Edmund, Oak Park; St. Hedwig; and St. Joan of Arc, Evanston. She was also a counselor at St. Gregory High School.

Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

70 Years

Sister Carmelie Zserdin was born in Chicago; her home parish was St. Michael in Old Town. She was an art instructor at the collegiate level in Iowa.

Sister Katherine Keating was born in Chicago and her home parish was Our Lady of the Angels. An educator, she was a teacher, principal, attendance officer, scholarship director and business manager at eight schools in the archdiocese.

Sister Diane O’Donnell was born in Chicago; her home parish was Mary, Undoer of Knots. She served at eight schools in the archdiocese as a teacher, principal, counselor, bookstore manager and secretary.

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

75 Years

Sister Anita New taught at St. Joachim, St. Anne, Holy Rosary, St. Gabriel and St. Lucy and St. Catherine of Siena, Oak Park.

Sister Colette Mary Jolie was born in Chicago and taught at Mother McAuley and Siena high schools and St. Patrick Academy, Des Plaines. She was also executive director at Austin Career Education Center.

Sister Lois Marie Graver was born in Chicago and served at St. Monica School, Siena High School and St. Xavier University. She was also a bank computer programmer and served on her community’s provincial team. 

70 Years

Sister Jacqueline Dewar worked in education, pastoral ministry and health services. She resides at Mercy Circle.

Sister June Marie Anselme worked in education and community outreach. She taught at St. Gabriel and St. Justin Martyr. She also served at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center.

School Sisters of Notre Dame

70 Years

Sister Margaret Fortino taught at the Academy of Our Lady and was director of retirement at Academy of Our Lady Convent. Born in Chicago, she was also director of retirement at her community’s retirement home in Berwyn.

Sister Carolyn Jost was born in Evergreen Park and taught at St. Margaret of Scotland. She was also her community’s vocations director.

Poor Clares

60 years

Mother Mary Teresita of Jesus served in the Poor Clare Monastery in Roswell, New Mexico, in roles including secretary and novice mistress before being chosen to lead the group of Poor Clares who refounded their monastery in the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2000. She served as on-site superior and then abbess until 2024. She is now the community’s “mother emerita.”

Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ

60 Years

Sister Sharon Marie Fox served in healthcare at St. Anne Hospital.

Sister Mary Jane Ranek was an educator, serving at St. Augustine School and Angel Guardian Orphanage.

Sister Mary Ellen Goeller worked in administration at St. Anne/St. Elizabeth Hospital in Chicago.

50 Years

Sister Michele Dvorak was an educator, serving at St. Augustine and St. Michael schools.

Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods

80 Years

Sister Mary Mark Dede taught at St. Leo and St. Angela and served as chaplain at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights.

75 Years

Sister Mary Lou Ruck was born in Evanston. She taught at St. Leo and St. Columbkille.

Sister Carol Nolan taught at St. Francis Borgia and Maternity BVM and at Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove. 

Sister Noralee Keefe, a Chicago native, taught at Maternity BVM. She also served at Mother Theodore Guerin High School and Guerin College Prep in River Grove. 

Sister Joseph Ellen Keitzer taught at St. David and St. Angela. She also taught music. She was a director of religious education and pastoral minister at St. Angela and other Chicago parishes.

Sister Lucille Lechner taught at St. Mark and St. Leo.

Sister Marie Grace Molloy taught at St. Genevieve.

70 Years

Sister Ellen Kehoe taught at St. Angela.

Sister Irma Meuse taught at St. Francis Borgia.

Sister Mary Frances Keusel, a Chicago native, taught at Maternity BVM. She also directed religious education at St. Dismas, Waukegan, and St. James, Sauk Village. She also served the homebound, special needs students and Hispanic communities.

Sister Joanne Golding taught at St. Leo. She was also a computer programmer and systems analyst for several Chicago firms.

60 Years

Sister Cathleen Campbell served several roles at Guerin College Prep, River Grove. She also served in the archdiocesan schools office, with the Chicago Catholic and New World newspapers and at Dominican University in River Forest.

50 Years

Sister Rebecca Keller taught at Maternity BVM and at Guerin College Prep, River Grove.

25 Years

Sister Regina Gallo was born in Chicago and has served as office manager and in bereavement ministries and grief counseling at Ascension and St. Edmund, Oak Park.

Sisters of the Resurrection

60 Years

Sister Barbara Sniegowski taught at St. Casimir and Queen of the Rosary, Elk Grove Village. She also directed vocations and formation and served in provincial leadership.

Sister Kathleen Skrocki served at Resurrection Day Care Center. She was also a vocations directress and local superior.

50 Years

Sister Christine Maria Moskal taught at Resurrection High School and Queen of the Rosary, Elk Grove Village. She also served her community as directress of lay associates.

Men religious

Augustinians

60 Years

Father Gerald A. Nicholas was born in Chicago and served in education and formation. He taught at Mendel Catholic High School and at Providence Catholic High School, New Lenox, Illinois.

50 Years

Father James R. Halstead has served at DePaul University and Catholic Theological Union. Other assignments include St. Clare de Montefalco Parish and St. Nicholas and St. John XXIII parishes, both in Evanston, and on the province team.

40 Years

Father Bernard R. Danber taught at Mendel Catholic, Brother Rice, St. Rita and St. Francis de Sales high schools; Montini Catholic High School, Lombard, Illinois; and Bishop McNamara High School, Kankakee, Illinois. The native Chicagoan also served at Holy Cross Hospital.

30 Years

Bishop Daniel T. Turley was born in Chicago. In addition to missionary, seminary and formation work, he currently serves as director of pre-novices for the Augustinian Midwest Province at St. Clare de Montefalco.

Dominicans

70 Years

Father Thomas O’Meara was a teacher, having been an adjunct professor for the Province of St. Albert the Great.

60 Years

Father Herb Hayek was a campus minister at Rosary College (now Dominican University) and pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer, both in River Forest.

25 Years

Father Brendan Curran served at the Bishop Fenwick Fraternity in Oak Park and was an organizer of the Resurrection Project. He also assisted the president of Dominican University in River Forest and was pastor of St. Pius V Parish in Chicago.

Franciscans

50 Years

Father Michael Fowler is pastor of St. Peter’s Parish in the Loop. He has also served as formation director for Franciscan students at Catholic Theological Union.

Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers

60 Years

Father Frank S. Meccia is a native Chicagoan who has served in social communications and parish ministry and as a director of retreats.

50 Years

Father Michael J. Briggs served as rector and member of the initial formation team for the Maryknolls in Chicago.

40 Years

Father Stephen R. Booth is a former rector and member of the initial formation team for the Maryknolls in Chicago.

Passionists

50 Years

Father Jack Conley, a Chicago native, is local superior of the Passionist community of St. Vincent Strambi in Hyde Park. He also served at Immaculate Conception Monastery.

Redemptorists

50 Years

Father Peter John Schavatz was born in Evanston and has been an itinerant preacher. He was director of Villa Redeemer in Glenview and was on the mission team at St. Alphonsus and St. Michael’s in Old Town.

Society of the Divine Word

70 Years

Father Elmer Nadicksbernd served in education and vocation ministry and as a missionary in Appalachia. He is retired and lives in Techny.

Father Raymond Lennnon served as provincial superior for his religious community’s Chicago Province.

60 Years

Father James Helar earned master’s degrees in theology from DePaul University and English literature from Loyola University, both in Chicago.

Brother Kenneth Valois was born in Chicago; his home parish was St. Helena. He also ran in the Chicago marathon twice.

Father Thomas Krosnicki served as director of the SVD Mission Center in Techny and as provincial superior for the Chicago Province, in addition to serving as a missionary in Papua New Guinea. He now resides at the Divine Word Residence in Techny.

Father Stephen Bevans taught at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago for three decades. He is also the author of 20 books.

50 Years

Father Stephen Schuler ministered in pastoral care and education, mostly in Louisiana. He is retired and lives in Techny.

Father Thomas Umbras served in Hispanic ministry at Blessed Agnes (now St. Agnes of Bohemia) Parish in Chicago. He was also associate director of Ethnic Communications Outlet in Chicago and director of the Techny Towers Conference and Retreat Center.

40 Years

Father Janusz Horowski is director of development for his order’s Chicago Province.

Father Robert Kelly was born in Evergreen Park. He has held multiple roles for the Divine Word Chicago Province and at the order’s mission office in Techny. He has also served at St. Anselm and St. Elizabeth parishes.

25 Years

Father Edward Tetteh has a background in pastoral care, counseling, and hospital chaplaincy. He was associate pastor of St. Elizabeth and on the ministry team serving St. Anselm, both now part of Our Lady of Africa Parish.

Viatorians

75 Years

Father Donald R. Wehnert is retired at the provincial center in Arlington Heights. Born in Springfield, he was parochial vicar at St. Viator, having also served at parishes in Springfield and Kankakee, Illinois. 

50 Years

Father Mark R. Francis is provincial superior for the Province of Chicago. Born in Chicago, he has ministered in teaching and administration. He is a former professor of liturgy and president of Catholic Theological Union.