Jubilarian – 2010
Mary Ann Therese Schiferl, SSND
Professed in 1940
Sister Mary Ann Therese Schiferl celebrates 70 years as a School Sister of Notre Dame. She has been teacher and learner of the compassion of Jesus—especially love for the poor in spirit.
A meaningful time in my ministry…
“Let the little children come to me.” In these later years of my life, I have come to appreciate these words of Jesus more and more. In the early 1940s, when I first began teaching, I was privileged to have second grade, where it was my delight to train the children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. What a joy it was when, later on, the parents joined with us in the preparation of their children for this most blessed time of their lives. Together, parents, teachers and children learned of the LOVE of Jesus, the living bread.
In the last 13 years of my active ministry before retiring to Notre Dame of Elm Grove, our loving God invited my sister and me to do pastoral ministry at Saint William parish in Janesville, Wisconsin. Beyond measure, we received much more than we could possibly give. The sick and elderly shared with us their lives, their suffering, their grief, their joys and their ever-growing closeness with the Lord. What tremendous blessings were ours in this time and place of ministry. Together, the sick, elderly, and my sister and I learned of the love, the patience, and the immeasurable compassion of Jesus.
What drew me to the SSND Community…
I attended Saint Joseph School, in Hewitt, Wis., taught by our Notre Dame Sisters. I loved them dearly and felt privileged when I was asked to help them with chores in school or church. Most of all, I remember the good times we had playing ball, sledding or skiing with the Sisters, plus our annual flower-picking day in the woods. I believe it was closeness with these Sisters that put the “seed” of vocation into my life.
One thing you might like to know about the School Sisters of Notre Dame…
From early on, I felt that the SSNDs were educators in the truest sense of the word. Being an SSND is a joy-filled, spirit-filled vocation. We risk all we are and all we have for the sake of the mission of Jesus. Today, while many of us are teachers, we don’t all work in the classroom. Our ministry is to educate others in all that we do. We particularly search out the poor, spreading Jesus’ message of love and unity throughout the world.
In my current ministry…
I presently live at Notre Dame of Elm Grove. Here, by prayer and presence, members of our community mutually serve one another. In my retirement, I continue to experience the richness and fullness of God’s blessings to me as a School Sister of Notre Dame.
Looking back and looking ahead…
During my teaching years, I was asked to teach fourth or fifth grade. I found myself particularly drawn to help the less gifted students. Realizing the soothing and healing power of nature, I brought developing plants into my classroom. We also watched with excitement how some newly hatched chicks made their appearance. The fish tank brought us many happy and relaxing moments. As the children accepted their responsibilities for tending to God’s creation, they also grew in confidence and the realization that they needed to do only their very best. This was what God expected of them; this was what I, their teacher, could also expect of them. This closeness and bonding with nature translated into a bonding with their classmates and families. Truly, they were loving gifts form a loving God. Together, my students and I learned of the magnanimous LOVE and PATIENCE of Jesus.
Sister Mary Ann Therese’s missions:
St. Michael, Milwaukee, Wis.
St. Ambrose, Chicago, Ill.
All Saints, Chicago, Ill.
St. Bernadette, Rockford, Ill.
St. Anne, Milwaukee, Wis.
St. John Baptist, Marshfield, Wis.
SS. Peter and Paul, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
Holy Rosary, Darlington, Wis.
St. Mary, Burlington, Wis.
St. Bruno, Dousman, Wis.
St. Elizabeth Nursing Home, Janesville, Wis.
St. William, Janesville, Wis.
SSND Residence, Janesville, Wis.
Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis.
How to Reach Jubilarians
Cards and letters may be addressed to:
Sister's name c/o SSND Jubilarians, Provincial Offices, 13105 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove, WI 53122-2291.
If you would like to honor sister with a tribute gift, please click HERE.