Jubilarian – 2010
Mary Jane Van Deuren
Professed in 1935
Sister Mary Jane Van Deuren celebrates 75 years as a School Sister of Notre Dame. She and a grade school classmate both became SSNDs. Sister Mary Jane especially treasures her time in ministry with the Oneida tribe.
A meaningful time in my ministry…
Besides spending many years teaching primary grades and serving as a librarian, I prepared children and young adults in the Oneida tribe for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. These experiences are held dearly in my heart.
What drew me to the SSND Community…
Sister Janet DeFrance and I went to grade school together at Saint Villebrand’s, where we were taught by SSND teachers. Later, we both became SSNDs.
One thing you might like to know about the School Sisters of Notre Dame…
As a worldwide community, we are devoted to teaching, especially among the poor. Our ministry has always been education. Today, we are involved in adult literacy, “green” education and even serve as advisors to the United Nations. Of course, we still teach school children, as we have for generations.
In my current ministry…
At Notre Dame of Elm Grove, a retirement community of about 140 Sisters, our ministry is one of prayer and presence. The SSNDs have been present at this site for more than 100 years—a long history.
Looking back and looking ahead…
A highlight in my life was the opportunity to spend a month in Rome and in Munich, Germany. The SSND congregation began in Bavaria (now part of Germany). A convent given to us by King Ludwig I is in Munich, and I also visited the tomb of Blessed Mother Theresa, our beloved foundress, who is buried in Munich’s Saint James Church.
Sister Mary Jane’s missions:
Holy Cross, Milwaukee, Wis.
St. Aloysius, West Allis, Wis.
Holy Angels, Gary, Ind.
St. Mary, Burlington, Wis.
St. Joseph, Galion, Ohio
St. Patrick, Elkhorn, Wis.
St. Frances Cabrini, West Bend, Wis.
St. Joseph Orphanage, Green Bay, Wis.
St. Jerome, Oconomowoc, Wis.
St. Mary, Menasha, Wis.
St. Mary, DePere, Wis.
St. Francis Xavier, DePere, Wis.
St. Nicholas, Freedom, Wis.
Notre Dame Health Care Center, Elm Grove, Wis.
Our Lady of the Pines, Chatawa, Miss.
St. John Nepomucene, Prairie du Chien, Wis.
Fox View Convent, DePere, Wis.
Notre Dame Middle School, Milwaukee, 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.