Sister Mary Rose Auler 

Sister Mary Rose grew up in Milwaukee near Holy Redeemer Church and School. Her dad came from a Lutheran background and later became Catholic. Her mom would go to Mass every day and wanted to be a nun, but did not have the opportunity to do so. Needless to say, her mom was very happy when Mary Rose wanted to be a sister.

Sister Mary Rose had two brothers who died quite young due to heart problems. The religion that was practiced in their home was expressed by always doing something for others. Her dad belonged to the St. Vincent de Paul Society and often helped people in the evening after work and supper. Sister Mary Rose also remembers that there was a German family nearby who had a son wanting to become a priest, but the family had no money for him to go to the seminary, so her parents paid his way.

Because they lived near Holy Redeemer School, Sister Mary Rose was always connected to the School Sisters of St Francis there. She helped these sisters get ready for school in their classrooms before school started in September and often stayed after school to help them too. She felt very close to the sisters there. When the sisters went for walks in the evening, Sister Mary Rose would run to greet them.

Sister Mary Rose also took piano and violin lessons from the sisters. She was encouraged to become a sister by the sisters and by her family, especially her mother. She entered the convent as a sophomore Aspirant, since she attended ninth grade at Holy Redeemer School.

Sister Mary Rose loved the Novitiate, as she made many new friends. Sister Archelaus was her director. At her Reception, Sister Mary Rose received the name of Sister Cordelia. Once she said to Mother Corona, “I thought we were supposed to have a saint’s name. Cordelia is not the name of a saint.” Mother Corona told her that “she should be the first saint with that name.”

Sister Mary Rose cleaned Mother Corona’s office daily as a Novice while Mother Corona was at breakfast. She found it easy to talk with Mother Corona. One time, Mother Corona asked Mary Rose’s dad to drive her to see the land where Alverno College was to be built. Sister Mary Rose was impressed that her dad had a nice connection with Mother Corona too.

Sister Mary Rose went to Alverno and had started with a music focus, but she also wanted to be a teacher and have her own classroom. She pursued an education degree and taught for many years at different parish schools. She loved teaching children and welcomed all of her missions, especially when they had a pipe organ that she could play. Mother Corona would often send her to missions to play the organ for Masses to fill in for sisters who were gone for the summer.

A dear friend of 30 years, Joanne Haupt, wrote this about Sister Mary Rose:

“Sister was my go-to substitute teacher when I worked as a school secretary at St. Alphonsus School in Greendale, Wisconsin. The students loved her! They always looked forward to having her teach them and would ask when Sister is coming back again. When she went walking for exercise at the mall and a student spied her, she would hear someone yell across the crowd ‘Sister!’ They were so excited to see her!

“My family got to know her through the years too. One of our favorite outings was the annual open house at the fire station. Sister loved the trucks and all the excitement of the day. She tried on the big jacket, pants, and boots that a firefighter wears, and she was also offered a heavy oxygen tank, which she respectfully declined. She was such a good sport, and everyone enjoyed her so much.

“Sister Mary Rose shared many meals with us throughout the years and was so appreciative of a home-cooked meal. She said that my dad’s pot roast reminded her of her dad’s recipe. She was a very entertaining dinner guest, too. She always made us laugh, which, of course, is good for the digestion.

“She joined us for Halloween, too, to give treats to the neighborhood children. She would always dress for the occasion to really get into the spirit of the day, including a headband with a giant black spider on top with a flashing jack-o-lantern necklace!

“Sister Mary Rose is really special, and I know she has influenced so many lives throughout her years of teaching and above all, being a friend to countless people.”

Sister Mary Rose loves fun things and did a lot of rollerblading, skiing, swimming, and biking. She loved to explore different paths. She also got a lot of enjoyment by sitting near the lake and appreciating the gentle movement of the trees. Sister hopes to do more sitting and enjoying nature during her retirement years. Five words have been important to her as she lived her life: gentleness, gratitude, simplicity, compassion, and caring.

Sister Mary Rose wishes to offer “one big thank you to all in the community of the School Sisters of St. Francis, and to all her family and friends who have touched her life and have been there to help her during all her days as a religious.”

Congratulations, Sister Mary Rose, on 75 years of sharing your life and dedication as a School Sister of St. Francis!