I met the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1958 when I enrolled in St. Joseph High School in Kenosha. Sister Ruth LaMothe was my homeroom teacher. After high school, I attended Alverno College in Milwaukee, graduating in 1966. During those years, I came to recognize the dedication, persistence, and commitment to the mission that defines the School Sisters.
After college, I began my teaching career at St. Joe’s, giving me the opportunity to continue associating with School Sisters as colleagues and friends. In 1975, when I began law school at Marquette University, I remained in frequent contact with Sister Ruth and other sisters, often attending liturgies at St. Joseph Convent.
Sister Ruth invited me to consider Associate Relationship with the community. Her common sense and deep prayer life were my preparation for becoming an associate. We shared community and family celebrations, as well as times of sadness. In 1985, I signed my first Associate Agreement. Sister Ruth’s faith and faithfulness inspired me to become, and remain, an associate.
Other sisters were mentors and friends as well, particularly Sisters Austin Doherty and Bernardin Deutsch. They mentored and inspired me at Alverno College and throughout my life since then. I am forever grateful for their guidance.
Today, I continue to be motivated by the School Sisters’ faithful commitment to the critical issues of our time, especially immigration and racial and economic inequality. My skills as a listener, problem solver, and organizer have served me well in my life’s work as a teacher, attorney, and judge. As an associate, I use these skills to further the mission of the School Sisters when I am called to serve on community committees, including the Spiritual Growth Committee and the Chapel Ministry Nonviolence Committee.
I am grateful for my relationship with the School Sisters and associates and for their companionship and inspiration. I am truly blessed to celebrate 40 years as an associate.