While pandemic has postponed a formal celebration, Detroit Catholic honors 77 faithful nuns, priests and brothers celebrating jubilees in 2020

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DETROIT — Four thousand, eight hundred and fifty-five years ago, Abraham had yet to be born. 

Noah may have been building the ark. The pyramids didn’t exist yet. 

Yet, that’s how long, combined, this year’s religious jubilarians in the Archdiocese of Detroit have served God’s Church. 

However they served, all 77 nuns, priests and brothers below share a deep love of God and a passion for serving His Church. Some are teachers. Others health care workers. Some care for the poor, or for the elderly. Some served in administration, finance, or pastoral ministry. 

While 2020 has prevented a formal celebration of their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience — which will be delayed until next year — Detroit Catholic and the Archdiocese of Detroit have not forgotten their sacrifice and faithfulness.

Please join us in congratulating, and praying for, the following men and women on their milestone anniversaries this year: 

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Sr. Kathy Grosh, IHM (50 years)

Sr. Grosh has served in parish ministry, religious education and as a psychologist and psychotherapist in the Archdiocese of Detroit. She has served at St. Monica, Detroit (1973-74); Ascension Parish, Warren (1974-79); at a Regional Mental Health Clinic in Dearborn (1993-94); and at the Family Counseling and Shelter Service (1994-2012), Human Potential Center (2013-16) and Humanistic Wellness Center in Monroe (2016-2020).

Sr. Barbara Beesley, IHM (60 years)

Sr. Beesley has served as a teacher, faculty member, pastoral minister and justice outreach coordinator in the Archdiocese of Detroit. She taught at St. Regis, Bloomfield Hills (1963-65); St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills (1965-71); and Pontiac Catholic Central, Pontiac (1971-75). She served on the worship and education committee and in pastoral service at St. Rita Parish in Detroit (1978-84); as a peace and human rights coordinator for Groundwork for a Just World, Detroit (1994-2003), and in campus ministry, outreach and teaching at Marygrove College, Detroit (2011-18). Since 2019, she has served in the IHM Peace and Sustainability Office in Monroe.

Sr. Paula Cooney, IHM (60 years)

Sr. Cooney has served as a teacher, parish minister, Christian service coordinator and administrator with the IHM Sisters during her years in the Archdiocese of Detroit. She taught at St. Regis, Bloomfield Hills (1963-64); St. Francis de Sales, Detroit (1964-68); and Pontiac Catholic Central, Pontiac (1968-71). She served in parish ministry and Christian service at St. Joseph Parish, Monroe (1976-79); and in religious education at St. Mary Parish in Wayne (1979-85). She served on the staff of the Visitation House of Prayer in Monroe from 1985-88. She was provincial of the IHM Sisters’ southeast province from 1988-94, and a councilor from 2000-06. Sr. Cooney also served as administrator of Maryhaven in Southgate (1996-2000), in the National Religious Retirement Office (2016-18) and since 2018 with the Servants of Jesus as commissary and president.

Sr. Diann Cousino, IHM (60 years)

Sr. Cousino has ministered as a teacher, pastoral minister and director of religious education in the Archdiocese of Detroit, as well as roles with the IHM Sisters. She taught at St. Francis de Sales, Detroit (1964-66); Epiphany, Detroit (1966-67); Gesu, Detroit (1969-78); Plymouth Beauty College, Plymouth (1978-79); Sacred Heart, Dearborn (1979-82); St. Paschal Baylon, Taylor (1982-86); St. Thomas Aquinas, Detroit (1986-88); and Christ the Good Shepherd, Lincoln Park (1988-89). She later served in religious education and parish ministry at Christ the Good Shepherd (1989-96); St. Anne, Monroe (1996-97); Sacred Heart, Grosse Ile (1997-98); St. Theodore, Westland (1998-2000); St. Raphael, Garden City (2000-04); and St. Alfred/St. Paschal Baylon, Taylor (2004-05). She served as an office manager and assistant physical therapist in Taylor from 2005-06, and since 2006 has served in the IHM Archives in Monroe.

Sr. Margaret (Peggy) Devaney, IHM (60 years)

Sr. Devaney has ministered in teaching, pastoral ministry and jail outreach during her years in the Archdiocese of Detroit. She taught at Epiphany in Detroit from 1964-66, was on the staff of Visitation House of Prayer in Monroe from 1978-79, and in pastoral ministry at Ascension Parish in Warren from 1979-80. In 1981, Sr. Devaney’s ministry turned to jail outreach, first as a chaplain with the Oakland County Jail (1981-2010), and later as executive director, volunteer and president/chaplain of the Jail and Outreach Ministry of the Pontiac Area Vicariate.

Sr. Rita Fisher, IHM (60 years)

Sr. Fisher has ministered as a teacher, pastoral minister and volunteer over her 60 years in the Archdiocese of Detroit. She taught at Hall of the Divine Child, Monroe (1962-64); Holy Redeemer, Detroit (1964-68); and St. Thomas Aquinas, Detroit (1968-71). She later served in parish ministry at St. Sylvester, Warren (1971-73, 1974-75); Gesu, Detroit (1973-74); St. Louis, Mount Clemens (1975-79); and Precious Blood, Detroit (1979-85). Since 1998, she has served at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe in the Literary & Arts Center, as a sacristan, archives volunteer and in other ministries.

Sr. Marjorie Polys, IHM (60 years)

Sr. Polys has served as a teacher, parish minister and social worker in the Archdiocese of Detroit. She taught at St. Timothy, Trenton (1964-66); and St. Frederick Mission/St. Vincent de Paul, Pontiac (1966-68). She served on the prayer ministry team at Visitation in Monroe from 1973-74, and in parish ministry at St. Joseph in Monroe from 1974-77. Sr. Polys served on the IHM Sisters’ Council as coordinator of human resources (1983-88) and coordinator of ministry resources (1988-94). From 2006 to 2016, she served as a clinical social worker at the Center for Individual & Family Therapy in Taylor (2006-08) and at the Gage Professional Building in Wyandotte (2008-16). She later served as novice director for the IHM Sisters.

Sr. Marion Duggan, IHM (70 years)

Sr. Duggan has served as a teacher and volunteer throughout her ministry in the Archdiocese of Detroit. She taught at St. Vincent de Paul, Detroit (1953-56); St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills (1956-58); St. Raymond, Detroit (1958-59); Hall of the Divine Child, Monroe (1959-60); St. Mary, Monroe (1963-64); and All Saints, Detroit (1964-66). Since 2004, she has served at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe as a driver, receptionist, medical social worker and volunteer.

Sr. Regina Fanning, IHM (70 years)

During her early year in ministry, Sr. Fanning taught at Our Lady of Help (1952-54); Holy Trinity (1954-57); and Our Lady Queen of Hope (1957-59), all in Detroit. In 2009, she retired to the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe, where she has served as a volunteer and assistant.

Sr. Joan Glisky, IHM (70 years)

Sr. Glisky has served as a teacher and administrator during her years of service in the Archdiocese of Detroit. She taught at St. Raymond, Detroit (1952-53); St. Anne, Warren (1953-56); St. Francis de Sales, Detroit (1956-59); Immaculata High, Detroit (1959-63, 1973-75); Marian High, Bloomfield Hills (1963-64); Marygrove College, Detroit (1969-73); and Guardian Angels, Clawson (1975-80). From 1980-85, she served as religious education coordinator at St. Ephrem Parish in Sterling Heights. Sr. Glisky was assistant provincial/secretary of the IHM Sisters’ Northeast Province from 1985-88, and general secretary for the congregation from 1988-94. She taught in adult education in Southgate Community Schools from 1995-96, was secretary of Bishop Borgess High School in Detroit from 1996-99, and has served in the IHM Archives in Monroe since 1999.

Sr. Irene Gumbleton, IHM (70 years)

Sr. Gumbleton has served in the ministry of education and as a parish volunteer during her time in the Archdiocese of Detroit. She taught at St. Boniface, Detroit (1952-54); St. John, Monroe (1954-55); St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills (1955-58); and St. Patrick, Detroit (1962-69). She served as principal of St. Patrick, Carleton (where she also taught, 1969-71); Holy Trinity, Detroit (1971-98); and St. Catherine, Algonac (1998-2002). She volunteered at St. Catherine Parish in Algonac from 2002-10, and at Our Lady on the River in Marine City from 2010-17. She has also been a volunteer and prayer minister at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe.

Sr. Therese LeBlanc, IHM (70 years)

Sr. LeBlanc has served many ministries during her time in southeast Michigan, including as a teacher or administrator at St. Raymond, Detroit (1953-56); St. Thomas, Ann Arbor (1956-63); and St. Joseph, Monroe (1963-71). She served in parish ministry at St. Joseph in Monroe from 1971-72. For two years, she worked with the Archdiocese of Detroit to place Vietnamese refugees (1975-76), and served as a chaplain and recipient rights advisor with the Detroit Psychiatric Institute in Detroit (1976-80). She was chaplain of the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan from 1980 to 2000, and since 2006 has been a volunteer at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe.

Sr. Margaret McGinley, IHM (70 years)

Sr. McGinley served in the ministry of teaching for almost two decades in the Archdiocese of Detroit, including at St. Patrick, Wyandotte (1953-55); Our Lady Queen of Hope, Detroit (1955-57); St. Mary Academy, Monroe (1957-61); St. Matthew, Detroit (1961-62); Holy Redeemer High School, Detroit (1962-65); Port Huron Catholic High School, Port Huron (1965-68); St. Martin, Detroit (1968-70); and Sacred Heart, Roseville (1970-71). Since 2000, she has volunteered at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe.

Sr. George Ellen Brannick, IHM (75 years)

Sr. Brannick served for a few years as a teacher in the Archdiocese of Detroit early in her ministry, including at St. Hugo of the Hills in Bloomfield Hills (1947-49) and St. Mary in Mount Clemens (1950-54). Since 2007, she has volunteered and served in prayer ministry at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe.

Sr. Marie Clark, IHM (75 years)

Sr. Clark served as assistant director of the St. Mary Conference Center in Monroe from 1988 to 1997, and taught middle school grades at St. Mary of Redford in Detroit from 1998 to 1999. Since 2016, she has volunteered at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe.

Sr. Gloria Glinski, IHM (75 years)

Sr. Glinski served as a teacher and in various other ministries in the Archdiocese of Detroit. She taught at St. Joseph, Monroe (1946-47); St. Boniface, Detroit (1947-48); St. Stephen, Port Huron (1948-55); Our Lady of Good Counsel, Detroit (1955-60); St. Regis, Bloomfield Hills (1970-77); and Holy Name, Birmingham (1977-82). She worked in social services at Marian Place in Monroe from 1983-85, as a bookkeeper for Cadillac Nursing Home in Detroit from 1985-90, and in pastoral care at St. Mary Health Care Center in Monroe from 1997-2000. Since 2000, she has volunteered in different capacities at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe.  

*Sr. Rita Rennell, IHM (75 years - deceased)

Sr. Rennel, who died Aug. 22 at the age of 95, was celebrating her 75^th jubilee with the IHM Sisters in 2020. She served as a teacher and nurse for several decades. She taught at St. Mary, Monroe (1946-47); St. Matthew, Detroit (1947-50); St. Cecilia, Detroit (1951-52); St. Stephen, Port Huron (1952-55); St. Martin, Detroit (1955-61); St. Gregory, Detroit (1965-68); and Marian High, Bloomfield Hills (1968-74). She served as nurse, nursing supervisor and director of nurses at the St. Mary Infirmary in Monroe from 1977 to 1987, and from 1996 until her death volunteered at the IHM Motherhouse.

Sr. Eileen Semonin, IHM (75 years)

Sr. Semonin taught briefly at St. Boniface in Detroit (1947-50), before transitioning to a nursing ministry at the St. Mary Infirmary in Monroe, later becoming director of nurses (1972-77). She served as provincial of the IHM Sisters’ South/West Province (1990-94), and on the nursing staff of the Family Medical Center in Temperance (1995-97). Since 2009, she has volunteered at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe.

*Sr. Marie Andre Walsh, IHM (80 years - deceased)

Sr. Walsh, who died May 8 at the age of 101, was celebrating her 80^th jubilee with the IHM Sisters in 2020. She served as a teacher at St. Mary Academy in Monroe and at Immaculata High, Marygrove College and St. Charles in Detroit. She served the remainder of her ministry in Texas before retiring to the IHM Motherhouse.

Religious Sisters of Mercy

Sr. Jan Marie Stocking, RSM (50 years)

Sr. Stocking was born in Detroit and entered the Sisters of Mercy in Farmington Hills. She taught at Mercy High School, Farmington Hills, and was principal at St. Thomas Aquinas School, Detroit. In 2003 she became director of the Rockhaven Ecozoic Center, House Springs, Mo., where she continues her ministry. “I reverence the continuous call for conversion as I participate in transforming humanity’s relationship to Earth to better respond to the ecological challenges of our times,” she said.

Sr. Marianne Bennett, RSM (60 years)

Sr. Bennett (Sister Mary Melanie) was born in Midland and entered the Sisters of Mercy in Detroit on Sept. 7, 1960. She spent most of the past 60 years as a teacher in grade schools, high school, especially on the faculty of Mercy High School in Detroit, and at Mercy College Detroit. “I have been blessed to know so many wonderful Sisters, colleagues, and students … a rewarding and happy life,” she said.

Sr. Rose Miriam Doerr, RSM (60 years)

Sr. Rose Miriam Doerr, RSM, was born in Bay City. In 1960, she entered the Sisters of Mercy and made her perpetual profession on Aug. 16, 1968. Sr. Doerr attended Mercy College of Detroit and later Michigan State University. She taught high school students at Mount Mercy Academy, Grand Rapids; St. Andrew High School, Saginaw; W.S. Catholic Central, Bay City; Port Huron Catholic School, Port Huron; Catholic Central, Lansing; All Saints High School and Visitation, Bay City.

Sr. Mary Ellen Howard, RSM (60 years)

Sr. Howard is a native Detroiter, a Sister of Mercy, and a nurse. For 25 years she served as a healthcare administrator in Mercy hospitals across Michigan, including as CEO of hospitals in Grayling and Muskegon. For another 20 years, she was executive director of St. Frances Cabrini Clinic of Most Holy Trinity Church in Detroit, the oldest free medical clinic for uninsured persons in the nation. Since retiring in 2014, Sr. Howard advocated on the local, state and national levels for public health issues, including the human right to safe, affordable, public water for all.

Sr. Geri Near, RSM (60 years)

Sr. Near was born in Detroit and entered the Sisters of Mercy in Detroit. Her ministries have included teaching in elementary education in Michigan, bookkeeping for Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, and serving as community secretary for the Sisters of Mercy Regional Leadership Team in Farmington Hills. She is an artist and continues as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels in Detroit.

Sr. Margaret Mary Platte, RSM (60 years)

Sr. Platte (Sr. Marian Catherine) was born in Grand Rapids and entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 7, 1960, in Detroit. She has been a teacher, elementary school principal at St. Francis de Sales School in Holland, pastoral care minister at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord, pastoral care director at McAuley Life Center, Farmington Hills, a leadership team member for the former Detroit Region, and an artist. “As I celebrate my commitment of 60 years as a Sister of Mercy, my heart is filled with gratitude,” she said.

Sr. Linda Werthman, RSM (60 years)

Sr. Werthman was born in Detroit and entered the Sisters of Mercy there. She was in leadership for the Sisters of Mercy Province of Detroit from 1971 to 1977. She was interim dean and chairperson of the Mercy College of Detroit. She was associate vice president and provost at the University of Detroit from 1991 to 1998. She was president of the Province of Detroit (1998 to 2005) and on the leadership team of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy (2005 to 2011). She was a member and director/governance with Catholic Health Ministries - Trinity Health, from 2009 to 2019. She currently serves as a volunteer and board member at Pope Francis Center, a drop-in center for those who are homeless, and as a board member for Mercy Housing, Inc., Carlow University, and Christ the King Service Corps.

Sr. Bonnie (Clement Mary) Woods, RSM (60 years)

Sr. Woods was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., and entered the Mercy Community in Detroit. She has worked in health care in medical technology, served as vice president of mission at St. Lawrence Hospital and Battle Creek Health System, in pastoral education and ethics in several hospitals including Sinai Grace and Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. She worked in development and community benefit with the Sisters of Mercy. In retirement, she plays the harp for liturgies, and ministers to Homecare volunteers and works with Women in Recovery in Grayling.

Sr. Mary Annrita Bauer, RSM (70 years)

Sister Annrita Bauer was born in Jackson and attended St. Mary’s Grade School in Jackson and Mercy High in Detroit. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1950 and made her final vows in 1956. After college at Mercy College of Detroit and Cardinal Stritch in Milwaukee, she taught at many schools throughout Michigan, including Ludington, Dearborn, Lansing, Berkley and Detroit. Sr. Bauer served as director of renewal at St. Phillip Parish in Battle Creek. She came to Farmington Hills to serve in pastoral care for several years in the ‘80s. She then stayed in Southfield for many years serving the sick and elderly. Sr. Bauer moved on to Grass Lake to serve as pastoral services director at St. Joseph Shrine there.  

Sr. Mary Cyrilla Jegla, RSM (70 years)

Born in Lansing, Sr. Jegla entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 7, 1950, in Detroit. She has been pastoral minister at St. Joseph Parish in Battle Creek since 1982. She previously taught and was principal at various schools throughout Michigan in Manistee, Cheboygan, Hemlock and Berkely. She was procurator at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Detroit. “God has blessed me with the privilege of becoming a Sister of Mercy. My life has been filled with challenges that encouraged me to use my many gifts in serving the people of God,” she said.

Sr. Michaeline Lewandowski, RSM (70 years)

Sr. Lewandowski was born in Posen and entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1950. She studied English at Mercy College in Detroit and later studied art at the University of Notre Dame. She also studied at St. John’s Seminary in Plymouth. Sr. Lewandowski served on the high school faculties of several schools including the Academy of Our Lady of Guam, Agana, Guam; Holy Redeemer High School in Detroit; and Cardinal Mooney High School in Marine City. She then started her second career as archivist for the Sisters of Mercy at Farmington Hills. After 10 years of working in the Archives, she was an ESL tutor for three years and then decided to pursue her artistic talents. She has a love and appreciation of art to this day.

Sr. Arlene Bennett, RSM (75 years)

Sr. Bennett was born in Mt. Morris and entered the Sisters of Mercy in September 1945. She attended Mercy College of Detroit, University of Notre Dame, and Duquesne University. Sr. Bennett taught and was principal at a number of Michigan Catholic schools, including St. Andrew, Saginaw; St. Mary, Bay City; Holy Name, Grand Rapids; Our Lady of La Salette, Berkley; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Detroit; St. Ignatius, Rogers City; St. Ann, Cadillac; and at Cheboygan Catholic High School.

Sr. Therese McFarland, RSM (75 years)

Sr. McFarland was born in Bay City. She attended St. Mary’s School in Bay City and entered the Mercy Community in Detroit on Sept. 7, 1945. She was a teacher in elementary Catholic schools beginning in 1948 in Cadillac, Bay City, Detroit, Hazel Park, Saginaw, Manistee, Berkley, Posen, Reese, Rogers City, and Belding. She was in pastoral ministry for St. Joseph’s Parish from 1998 to 2011 in Bay City and a visitor for residents of Bay Medical Nursing Home during that time.

Congregation of Christian Brothers

Bro. Daniel J. Casey, CFC (50 years)

Bro. Casey is celebrating 50 years with the Congregation of Christian Brothers. He currently serves as associate athletic director at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills.

Bro. Arthur M. Arndt, CFC (60 years)

Bro. Arndt is celebrating 60 years with the Congregation of Christian Brothers. He serves at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills. He was inducted into the school’s hall of fame in 2003.

Passionist Fathers

Fr. Alex Steinmiller, CP (50 years)

Fr. Steinmiller has ministered to fallen away Catholics and unchurched individuals in Detroit since 1985. He co-founded Life Directions, a ministry to mostly inner-city young adults, in 1973, working with Detroit Public Schools and neighborhoods. He preaches and celebrates Mass on weekends at St. Mary Parish in Wayne, often in Spanish. Fr. Steinmiller also produces weekly Scripture videos called “Passion Pause.” He resides at the St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center in Detroit.

Congregation of St. Joseph of Nazareth

Sr. Marie Benzing, CSJ (60 years)

In 1964, Sr. Benzing began her ministry of teaching at St. Joan of Arc School in St. Clair Shores. While continuing to teach, she pursued her master’s degree in reading and graduated from Cardinal Stritch in 1974. She then spent the next 10 years teaching at various schools in the Diocese of Lansing, including Immaculate Heart, St. Casimir and Resurrection. After spending four years teaching grades 4-6 at St. Pius in Flint, Sr. Benzing then moved to the Archdiocese of Detroit and continued her ministry at St. Benedict, St. Angela, Our Lady of Good Counsel, St. Veronica and St. Mary, among others. In 2011, Sr. Benzing accepted a position at the Southwest Detroit Learning Center educating the Hispanic community. She is presently director of Centro de San Jose, an education center serving the community in southwest Detroit.

Sr. Marcella Clancy, CSJ (60 years)

Sr. Clancy began her mission in health care at Borgess/Tawas and St. Mark/St. John in the Diocese of Gaylord. For the next three years, Sr. Clancy worked at Madonna College in Detroit as an instructor. From 1978-1983, she was the parish minister at St. Agnes in Detroit. Sr. Clancy remained in the Detroit area and was the elderly care nursing director at Sinai Hospital, director of Nazareth House (St. Agnes Parish) and pastoral minister at St. Benedict. She continued her mission of pastoral ministry while at Our Lady of Loretto in Redford before returning to the Congregation of St. Joseph in Nazareth as the membership development/formation director. For the next eight years, she lived in Ontario and served as an adjunct professor at Assumption College. In 2001, Sr. Clancy returned to Detroit and was the pastoral associate at St. Rita before returning to teaching as adjunct professor at Sienna Heights University in Adrian. In May 2010, she moved to Cleveland, where she was appointed to the center administration at the Congregation of St. Joseph. She returned to Michigan and is presently engaged in formation ministry and spiritual direction.

Sr. Mary Anne Dalton, CSJ (60 years)

Sr. Dalton began teaching English and religion at St. John Vianney in Flint and then was sent to Kalamazoo, where she taught English, speech and drama. In 1972, she became involved in The Workshop Way, an educational system developed by her aunt, Sr. Grace Pilon, SBS. After time spent in St. Paul, Minn.; Bowling Green, Ohio; and New Orleans, she returned to Michigan in 1999 in order to be closer to family. She accepted the invitation to work in the Catholic Schools Office for the Diocese of Kalamazoo and did so for five years. Her last eight years of active ministry were spent teaching in the Education Department of Marygrove College in Detroit, where she worked in teacher preparation. She continues today volunteering in education and serving in various ways.  

Sr. Joyce Dropps, CSJ (60 years)

Sr. Dropps began teaching at St. Joseph in Kalamazoo as well as Immaculate Heart and St. Anthony in Lansing. After receiving her master’s degree, she taught at Bishop Borgess High School, St. Cyril, St. Rose and St. Scholastica in Detroit, as well as the Detroit Public Schools. After her sabbatical, Sr. Dropps returned to teaching at SS. Peter and Paul. Later, she was an instructor at Computertots Sylvan Learning Center, a supervisor/coordinator at the YMCA, and an education specialist at 21st Century Learning.  Prior to her retirement in January 2010, she was a teacher/tutor at Marygrove College in Detroit.

Sr. Nancy Marie Martin, CSJ (60 years)

Sr. Martin’s ministry began at St. Francis Home in Detroit, where she spent 25 years as an executive secretary and also worked in social services. In 1992 and for the next 20 years, Sr. Martin was the accounts payable clerk at Grosse Pointe Schools until her retirement in January 2013.

Sr. Marie Roy, CSJ (60 years)

Sr. Roy taught at many schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit, including St. Henry, St. David and St. Brigid, and at Immaculate Heart in the Diocese of Lansing. Sr. Roy served as pastoral minister at St. Brigid, St. Valentine, and in 1996 at St. Luke Parish in Detroit.  

Sr. Rita Jeanne Ferrante, CSJ (65 years)

Sr. Ferrante’s entire 54 years of ministry were in education in Michigan, which began in the Diocese of Lansing at St. John Vianney, Flint, and later St. Therese and St. Patrick in the Diocese of Grand Rapids.  The majority of her teaching years were in the Detroit area, where she taught at St. Veronica, St. Dennis, St. Joan of Arc, St. Mark, St. Cletus and prior to her retirement in 2012 at Holy Family Regional School in Rochester, where she was a teacher aide.

Felician Sisters

Sr. Mary Andrew Budinski, CSSF (60 years)

Sr. Budinski, of Detroit, entered the Felician Sisters in 1960 and made her final profession of vows in 1968. She served in a variety of ministries In Pennsylvania, Brazil and Rome before transferring to Michigan in 2015, where she served in pastoral ministry at Marywood Nursing Care Center in Livonia, and at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Shelby Township. In the 2000s, she served in leadership with the Felician Sisters’ provincial house in Pennsylvania, and as secretary of the provincial council. She has engaged in various prayer and retreat ministries for the sisters as well as for laypeople. She has prepared seasonal and special prayer services, led centering prayer support groups, promoted the experience of lectio divina, created liturgical environments and established parish bereavement ministries.

*Sr. Mary Madeleine Dolan, CSSF (60 years - deceased)

Sr. Dolan, who died May 10 at the age of 82, was celebrating her 60^th jubilee as a Felician Sister in 2020. She made her final profession of vows in 1968. A teacher, pianist and special education instructor, Sr. Dolan ministered for 33 years in education, including at St. Valentine, Detroit; St. Francis, Flint; Presentation, Detroit; and Our Lady of Refuge, Orchard Lake. Sister also served as elementary school principal at St. Jude, Grand Rapids; St. Valentine, Detroit; St. Damian, Westland; and St. Florian, Hamtramck. Another assignment included administrator and director of St. Joseph Day Care Center in Jackson, where she conducted special education classes for some students while others attended Jackson public schools. She also served on the Board of Trustees at Madonna (College) University.

Sr. Rose Marie Kujawa, CSSF (60 years)

Sr. Kujawa, of Detroit, has served as an educator, administrator of higher education and in leadership positions both with the Felician Sisters and the Archdiocese of Detroit. She made her final profession of vows in 1968. After earning baccalaureate, masters’ and doctorate degrees from Madonna University in Livonia, Sr. Kujawa taught at St. Valentine, Bishop Borgess and Ladywood High School. In 1976, she was assigned to Madonna College to teach mathematics with additional responsibilities in the Planning and Development Office. Beginning in 1979, Sr. Kujawa served as academic dean and vice president at Madonna. It was during this time that she organized the first graduate program in 1982 and was responsible for the export of Madonna’s graduate program to Taiwan. Over the years, Sr. Kujawa also served on several boards such as the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Orchard Lake Schools, SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Marywood Nursing Care Center and St. Mary Hospital. During the 1994 provincial elections, she was elected to the leadership team and assigned as the provincial secretary. On July 1, 2001, she was appointed sixth president of Madonna University, a position she held for 14 years. Among her accomplishments were the initiation of the Franciscan Symposium and the construction of a new science and media building entitled the Franciscan Center. After her service at Madonna, Sr. Kujawa discerned yet another call to service, this time in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Currently, she is in her fifth year as the delegate for consecrated life for the Archdiocese of Detroit, a position she accepted in 2015.

Sr. Mary Renetta Rumpz, CSSF (60 years)

Sr. Rumpz, of Detroit, served in education, administration, business and health care throughout her ministry with the Felician Sisters, with whom she professed final vows in 1968. Beginning her ministry as a teacher, Sr. Rumpz taught at St. Valentine and St. Casimir in Detroit, and Our Lady of Refuge in Orchard Lake. For the next 32 years, she was involved in the ministry of health care in different capacities at St. Mary Hospital, Livonia, and for three years as administrative assistant at St. Joseph Home, Jackson. This was interrupted by a nine-year appointment as provincial minister in the Livonia Province, and followed by a year assignment as interim treasurer at Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces, the generalate in Rome, Italy. At. St. Mary hospital, Sr. Rumpz served as executive vice president, chief financial officer, president and chief executive officer in 1998, when she also earned the title of Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Sister also served on the strategic team that transitioned St. Mary Hospital to Trinity Health, and served as president of the Cantalice Corporation, a subsidiary of St. Mary Hospital, and was active on many hospital and community boards. In November 2000, Sister was elected provincial minister of the Livonia Province and participated in many congregational activities.

Sr. Maria Sonnenfeld, CSSF (60 years)

Sr. Sonnenfeld, of Detroit, has served in education, health care and pastoral ministry throughout her time in the Archdiocese of Detroit, since her profession of final vows in 1968. For the first six year of her ministry, she taught at various schools, including St. Louis the King in Detroit and St. Damian in Westland, and in child care at St. Joseph in Jackson. Before entering religious life, Sr. Sonnenfeld served at St. Clair Community Hospital, and when the opportunity arose to transition to health care, she took it, serving as an X-ray technologist at St. Mary Hospital in Livonia. In 1981, she completed education in pastoral ministry at Madonna University and served in the hospital’s spiritual care department for the next 21 years. In 2003, she began serving at Marywood Nursing Care Center and Marybrook Manor for 12 years. Since 2015, she has served in pastoral care at the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent, St. Joseph Hall, in Livonia. 

*Sr. Rose Mary Wolak, CSSF (65 years - deceased)

Sr. Wolak, who died April 21 at the age of 86, was celebrating her 65^th jubilee as a Felician Sister in 2020. After professing final vows in 1963, she taught for many years in schools throughout Michigan, including St. Michael in Livonia, St. Stanislaus and St. Andrew high schools in Detroit, Ladywood High School in Livonia, Catholic Central in Manistee and Nativity High School in Detroit. For eight years, she served the Felician Generalate in Rome, and worked as secretary to the English section of the Vatican Secretariat of State. After returning to Michigan, she served as assistant to the registrar and archives assistant at Madonna University, and at the Felicians’ central convent in Livonia. 

Sr. Marie Ann Stamm, CSSF (70 years)

Sr. Stamm, of Hillman, Mich., has served many years in education, from kindergarten to the university level. She taught in the Archdiocese of Detroit at St. Ignatius, Patronage of St. Joseph, and Holy Ghost, St. Valentine and St. Andrew – all in Detroit; St. Michael, Livonia; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Wyandotte; Our Lady of Refuge, Orchard Lake; and St. Hilary, Redford. Other places in Michigan included St. Mary, Bronson; and St. Hyacinth and St. Stanislaus, Bay City. For 37 years, she served at Madonna University in Livonia as a professor, chair of the Religious Studies/Philosophy Department, and overseeing cultural affairs and campus ministry. In 1990, she became part of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department Chaplain Corps, an emergency response team organized after the 1987 Northwest Flight 255 disaster. For more than 25 years, first with the Wayne County Sheriff Department and Desert Storm, and later with the Livonia Police and Fire Departments, she helped more than 3,000 abused children, hundreds of domestic violence victims and other wounded persons. Among her talents, Sr. Stamm wrote a book from her research titled: Spirituality of Grief: Exploring Faith/Grief Dynamics, and compiled a collection of 200+ poems – A Single Rose I Offer. Sister also put together the Livonia Blue Book: Beyond the Badge for the Livonia Police Department and composed a hymn for police funerals: Come Home. Sister also presented workshops and lectured to adult groups and hospital programs and published articles.

Sr. Mary Lucy Rezler, CSSF (75 years)

Sr. Rezler, of Bay City, ministered for six decades in education since her profession of final vows in 1953. She taught in the Archdiocese of Detroit at St. Stanislaus, Resurrection, Patronage of  St. Joseph, Our Lady Help of Christians, St. Stephen and Mary, Mother of the Church, all in Detroit; Our Lady, Queen of Apostles, and St. Florian, Hamtramck; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Wyandotte; and Our Lady of Refuge, Orchard Lake. Sister taught and was also principal at St. Christine, Detroit. Teaching assignments in other dioceses included St. Valentine, Beaver; St. Joseph, Manistee; St. Stanislaus and St. Hyacinth, Bay City; St. Cecilia, Clare; St. Jude, Grand Rapids; St. Adalbert, Toledo, Ohio; and St. Mary’s, Otis, Ind. At age 75, her last assignment in the ministry of education was at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Wyandotte. Sr. Rezler tutored children and, at times, was a substitute teacher. 

Sr. Mary Thomasine Satkowiak, CSSF (75 years)

Sr. Satkowiak, of Kawkawlin, Mich., taught primary and middle grades for 54 years after making her final vows in 1953. St. Florian, Hamtramck, and Resurrection and St. Andrew, Detroit, were her first teaching assignments. For the next 41 years, she traversed northern and mid-Michigan at St. Joseph, Manistee; St. Theresa, Wayland; St. John Vianney, Grand Rapids; St. Mary, Parisville; St. Cecilia, Clare; East Catholic, Saginaw; St. Hyacinth and St. Stanislaus, Bay City, and St. Valentine, Kawkawlin. Her ministry in education extended overseas when she was missioned to Carlsburg, Germany, from 1963-1968 teaching religious education at six different American Army and Air Force Bases. She returned to the Archdiocese of Detroit, where assignments as a teacher took her to St. Florian, Hamtramck; Resurrection, St. Andrew, St. Stephen, and Mary, Mother of God – all in Detroit; St. Thecla, Clinton Township; St. Michael, Livonia; and Our Lady of Refuge, Orchard Lake. Sister was also the principal at St. Christine, Detroit, and St. Hilary, Redford, for 10 years.

*Sr. Mary Danatha Suchyta, CSSF (80 years - deceased)

Sr. Suchyta, who died June 27 at the age of 98, was celebrating her 80^th jubilee as a Felician Sister. After professing final vows in 1948, she embarked upon a long ministry in higher education, serving for 54 years at Madonna University in Livonia. Assigned first as a biology professor, then department head and later as president from 1965-1976, Sr. Suchyta returned to Madonna from 1977-1991 as director of several departments including director of Co-op Education and director of Computer Information Services. During this time, she was elected to the Provincial Council (1988-1994) as vicar in charge of Formation and Spiritual Life, then returned to Madonna in 1994 as director of Advancement Research and later as director of Planned Giving.

Daughters of Charity

Sr. Sharon Hagen, DC (60 years)

Sr. Hagen has been a member of the Daughters of Charity for 60 years. She earned her master’s in pastoral counseling from Loyola University Chicago, where she was recognized as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois. While in Illinois, Sharon received a certificate in spiritual companioning from the Archdiocese of Chicago. She joined the staff of the Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Michigan in January 2005. Welcoming adolescents, individual adults and couples, she works with a wide variety of client challenges, among them: life transitions, coping with stress, loss, depression, anxiety and the search for meaning.

De La Salle Collegiate Community

Bro. Xavier Pankovits, FSC (60 years)

Bro. Pankovits has devoted his life to the ministry of education. An alumnus of De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren, Bro. Pankovits began teaching at De La Salle in 1965 and continued there until 1971. He taught at St. Joseph’s Collegiate High School in Buffalo, N.Y., from 1971-74, but he returned to De La Salle in 1974, serving as a teacher there until his retirement. In retirement, Bro. Pankovits continues to volunteer five days a week at a local food pantry.

Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor)

Fr. Maynard Tetreault, OFM (60 years)

Fr. Tetreault, a Detroit native, professed his final vows with the Order of Friars Minor in 1955, and was ordained a priest in 1960. He has served as a teacher, retreat minister, director of the Friars Club in Cincinnati, a religious superior and missionary in eastern Kentucky. He has served as provincial building coordinator, overseeing the renovations to high schools, seminaries and retreat centers over the years. In 2017, he returned to Detroit to live and serve at the new Franciscan friary at St. Moses the Black Parish in Detroit, where he serves the poor through various outreaches.

Bro. Philip Wilhelm, OFM (60 years)

Bro. Wilhelm grew up at Immaculate Conception Parish in Toledo, Ohio, leaving home in 1955 to join the Franciscan Brotherhood program. As a senior in high school, he inquired about the Franciscans of the Province of St. John the Baptist, and soon joined the order. He was assigned to Duns Scotus College for five years before being called to serve as a missionary in Baybay, Leyte, in the Philippines, where he helped open a training school for the Franciscans. He was later asked to serve in the seminary at Novaliches, Quezon City, assisting with the college department, procuration, laundry and kitchen duties. While serving at the seminary, he became involved serving the local poor and ill, cleaning up neighborhoods, repairing homes and caring for abandoned children. After a cancer operation in 2012, he returned to the novitiate house as novice director, while directing two SFO fraternities near Clark Base in south Luzon.

Fr. Dennet Jung, OFM (65 years)

Fr. Jung who was ordained a priest for the Order of Friars Minor in 1963. Over the years, he has served on the Franciscan novitiate formation team, as a retreat director and in other ministries in the southwest and eastern United States. Stationed at the Duns Scotus Friary at Our Lady of La Salette Church in Berkley, Fr. Jung celebrates Mass and leads retreats in the Archdiocese of Detroit and throughout the Midwest.

Capuchin Franciscans 

Fr. Alfredo Gundrum, OFM Cap. (60 years)

Fr. Gundrum, a native of Allenton, Wis., joined the Capuchin Franciscan order in 1960 and was perpetually professed in 1963. Fr. Gundrum was ordained to the priesthood in 1967. He ministered for 21 years in Nicaragua before returning stateside to minister in Chicago and then in Detroit at the Solanus Casey Center, where he ministers to the Spanish-speaking faithful of the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Fr. Daniel Fox, OFM Cap. (50 years)

Fr. Daniel Fox, OFM Cap., a native Detroiter, entered the Capuchin Franciscan order in 1970 and took final vows in 1974. He was ordained a priest in 1975. Fr. Fox taught at Cardinal Mooney High School and was pastor at parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit, and also ministered at the Solanus Casey Center. Fr. Fox has served as provincial minister and is a current member of the Provincial Council for the Province of St. Joseph.

Adrian Dominican Sisters

Sr. Patricia Noreen Benson, OP (60 years)

Sr. Benson has served as a teacher and religious educator over her 60 years of ministry. In the Archdiocese of Detroit, she taught at St. Joseph, Wyandotte (1961-73); St. Theresa, Detroit (1963-66); and St. Pius X, Southgate (1966-70). She later transitioned to teach religious education at St. Kevin, Inkster (1972-73); St. Kevin/St. Norbert, Inkster (1975-76); and St. Gemma, Detroit (1976-79). Since 2002, she has served as assistant professor at Marygrove College, Detroit (2002-05); and the Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Detroit (2005-06, 2010-13), and as a presenter on spirituality and ecology topics since 2014. 

Sr. Mary Katherine Homan, OP (60 years)

Sr. Homan has served in education and pastoral minister in the Archdiocese of Detroit. She taught math and physics at Benedictine High School in Detroit (1974-79), and was assistant principal and math teacher at Dominican High School in Detroit (1979-82). She served as assistant principal at Aquinas High School in Southgate from 1986-89, and from 2015-18 was a pastoral associate at St. Basil the Great Parish in Eastpointe. She continues to volunteer at St. Basil the Great, the Dominican Literacy Center in Detroit, and Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit.

Sr. Annice (Mary Annice) Mordenski, OP (60 years)

Sr. Mordenski has served in the ministry of education for many years in the Archdiocese of Detroit, first as a teacher at St. Clement in Romeo (1970-73), then later as principal of St. Jude in Detroit (1975-85), and principal of Holy Name in Birmingham (1985-2007). Since 2007, she has served as administrative assistant of the Adrian Dominicans’ Great Lakes Mission Chapter in Farmington Hills.

Cloistered Dominican Nuns

Sr. Mary of the Sacred Heart Decuir, OP (60 years)

Sr. Mary of the Sacred Heart is a Cloistered Dominican Nun residing at the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament in Farmington Hills. Like most cloistered Dominicans she has been actively engaged in the ministry of prayer and service at the monastery.

Sr. Mary of the Immaculate Conception DiPaolo, OP (70 years)

Sr. Mary of the Immaculate Conception is a Cloistered Dominican Nun residing at the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament in Farmington Hills. Like most cloistered Dominicans she has been actively engaged in the ministry of prayer and service at the monastery.

Sr. Mary of Mercy Houle, OP (70 years)

Sr. Mary of Mercy is a Cloistered Dominican Nun residing at the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament in Farmington Hills. Like most cloistered Dominicans she has been actively engaged in the ministry of prayer and service at the monastery.

Dominican Sisters of Peace

Sr. Frances Mary Kernasovich, OP (70 years)

Sr. Kernasovich has ministered in education, health care and in congregational leadership over her 70 years in active ministry. She taught at SS. Andrew and Benedict in Detroit (1952-55, 1960-61), and St. Sylvester in Warren (1963-69), where she was also principal. From 1981-2005, she served as CEO of Lourdes Senior Community in Waterford. From 2005-15, she served in pastoral care, and since 2015 has volunteered at Lourdes Senior Community. Sr. Kernasovich served in congregational leadership from 1973-81, 1993-2001, and 2006-09.

Sr. Joan Marie Jereb, OP (70 years)

Sr. Jereb has been actively involved in the ministries of teaching, religious education, retreat ministry and administration over her 70 years. She taught at SS. Cyril and Methodius in Detroit (1952-53), Our Lady of the Lakes in Waterford (1964-66), and was principal of Bishop Kelley in Lapeer (1967-77). She served as director of religious education at St. Michael in Pontiac (1981-84) and Sacred Heart in Imlay City (1985-90). In 2000-01, she was director of St. Mary Retreat House in Oxford. She served in the medical records department at Lourdes Nursing Center in Waterford from 2001-05, and was director of the Vivian’s Via Rosa Spirituality Center from 2005-08, before retiring to the Oxford Motherhouse. She became a resident of Lourdes Nursing Center in 2020.

Bernardine Franciscan Sisters

Sr. Jean Baumann, OSF (60 years)

Sr. Baumann was invested with the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters in 1960, making final vows in 1966, and has ministered in education and pastoral ministry over her 60 years of ministry. Early in her ministry, she taught at St. Clement in Dearborn, Holy Innocents in Roseville, and St. Francis de Sales in Muskegon, before moving to Dallas, Texas, to serve as a teacher and principal for almost two decades. For a brief time, she returned to serve as interim principal of St. Thomas Aquinas School in Saginaw, and as a teacher at St. Paul of the Cross in Los Angeles, before returning to Dallas. In 1991, she returned to the Diocese of Saginaw, serving there until 2015, when she moved to the Archdiocese of Detroit. She currently supervises the congregation’s properties in Farmington Hills.

Sr. Ellen Marie Burke, OSF (60 years)

Sr. Burke made her first profession of vows with the Bernardine Franciscan Sister in 1966. She served as a chaplain at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit from 1996 to 2018, and currently resides at the Our Lady of the Rosary Convent in Farmington Hills.

Servants of Mary (Servites)

Sr. Paulette Labbe, OSM (60 years)

Sr. Labbe made her first profession of vows with the Servants of Mary (Servites) in 1960. She served in the finance office at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills from 1993 to 2018, and also served as treasurer for her community in Omaha, Neb.

Sisters of the Good Shepherd

Sr. Rose Henry Kern, RGS (60 years)

Sr. Kern has ministered in the field of education for many years, including in Detroit from 2000 to 2020. She served at Vista Maria, a support, treatment and education center for vulnerable youths in Dearborn Heights, volunteering and selling mission articles.

Society of Jesus (Jesuits)

Fr. Raphael Shen, SJ (50 years)

Fr. Shen was ordained a priest in 1970 and professed final vows with the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1978. Since 1977, Fr. Shen has served at the University of Detroit Mercy, including currently as department chair and professor of economics. Fr. Shen teaches courses in macroeconomics, microeconomic theory/analysis, comparative economic systems, development economics and resource economics. His publications and presentations have dealt mainly with transitional economies in Eastern Europe. Fr. Shen is a member of the Midwest Economic Association and the Midwest Political Science Association.

Fr. John Michael Staudenmaier, SJ (50 years)

Fr. Staudenmaier was ordained a priest in 1970 and professed final vows with the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1982. Since 1981, Fr. Staudenmaier has served at the University of Detroit Mercy, including in his current role as professor and assistant to the president for mission and identity. He is the emeritus editor in chief of "Technology and Culture: International Journal of the Society for the History of Technology" and was a consultant and on-screen contributing scholar in "Henry Ford," released by PBS in January 2013.

Servants of Jesus

Sr. Virginia Skurski, SJ (70 years)

Sr. Skurski, a Detroit native, originally entered the Felician Sisters congregation before transferring to the Servants of Jesus in 1974. She taught for a few years in archdiocesan schools, but nursing education was her primary ministry. Over 37 years, Sr. Skurski served as assistant professor at Madonna University (1964-74), dean of Mercy College of Detroit’s nursing program (1974-80), and professor at Eastern Michigan University (1980-97). She also served as a teacher and consultant overseas, in the Netherlands and Philippines. After she retired, Sr. Skurski served at St. Sabina Parish in Dearborn Heights, and currently resides with the IHM Sisters at their motherhouse in Monroe.

Sr. Karen Shirilla, SJ (70 years)

Sr. Shirilla has been active in the ministry of education with the Servants of Jesus since 1952. In the Archdiocese of Detroit, she taught for five years at the elementary level at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Immaculate Conception, St. Valentine and St. Norbert (including as principal); and eight years at the secondary level at St. Andrew, Ladywood and Bishop Borgess. From 1979 to 2012, Sr. Shirilla served in higher education at Madonna College, St. John’ Provincial Seminary, the University of Detroit Mercy and SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary. She also served as curriculum coordinator for the Diocese of Saginaw.

Sisters of Jesus the Savior

Sr. Evangeline Atukosi, SJS (25 years)

Sr. Atukosi, a native of Nigeria, came to the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1997. She served from 1998 to 2002 as secretary at St. Scholastica Parish in Detroit, while also caring for the aged and special privileged. Discovering her passion for caring for the sick, she later entered health ministry in 2009, and currently serves as an adjunct instructor at Madonna University’s Southfield campus.

Sisters of Mary Reparatrix

Sr. Ann Kasparek, SMR (50 years)

Sr. Kasparek, a native of Wyandotte, entered the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix in 1966, after teaching for two years in Catholic schools. Since then, she has served her community in the ministries of education, leadership and finance. She has served as Christian service coordinator for St. Cyprian Parish in Riverview, and also as spiritual counselor for the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul conference. Currently, Sr. Kasparek is a member of Strangers No Longer, an immigration advocacy group based in the Archdiocese of Detroit.