Jubilarians - Nazareth

Sister Adele Donovan entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on February 11, 1935 from St. Philip Neri Parish, Detroit. For forty-six years Sister Adele taught in the schools of the congregation, the last ten years at St. Benedict School in Highland Park. In 1983 she began work at Nazareth Center as a receptionist in the SSJ Health System, remaining at Nazareth to assist in service to the sisters residing there.

Sister Ann Catherine Steffes, CSJ
75 Years

Sister Ann Catherine Steffes entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 8, 1935 from St. Michael Parish, Monroe, Michigan. Sister had a special knack of helping children learn and has now retired after sixty-eight years of teaching. She has a great love of animals and every manner of green, growing things. Sister enjoys reading and does beautiful needlepoint.

60-Year Jubilarians

Sister Jane Beehler, CSJ
(formerly Sister Michael Marie)
60 Years

Sister Jane Beehler entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on January 2, 1950 from St Isidore Parish, Laingsburg, Michigan. Sister Jane’s first ministry of education lasted twenty-nine years, including teaching assignments at St. John Vianney School and Luke Powers Catholic High School, both in Flint. Following service in congregation administration, Sister Jane received training to become a retreat director and certified spiritual director.

Sister Sylvia Dimeck, CSJ
(formerly Marie Dominic)
60 Years

Sister Sylvia Dimeck entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on July 1, 1950 from St. Gertrude Parish in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Teaching took her to Flint, Davison, Detroit, St. Clair Shores, Taylor, Royal Oak and Kalamazoo. After twenty-five years of teaching, Sister Sylvia spent thirty-one years at St. John’s Hospital as her place of ministry.

Sister Ann Therese Foley, CSJ
(formerly Sister Ann Kathleen)
60 Years

Sister Ann Therese Foley entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on July 1, 1950 from St. Francis Xavier Parish, Ecorse, Michigan. Her first ministry was teaching in eight congregation schools in the Metro Detroit area. After her twenty-fifth anniversary, Sister Ann Therese left the classroom and received training in Clinical Pastoral Education and began a hospital ministry. Now she serves the mission by volunteering.

Sister Bernita Marie Gensterblum, CSJ
60 Years

Sister Bernita Marie Gensterblum entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on July 1, 1950 from St. Patrick Parish, Portland, Michigan. Teaching assignments brought her to various schools in various cities, as well as teaching CCD religious education classes. After twenty-six years of teaching, Sister Bernita Marie received training as a physical therapist and came home to Nazareth to assist our sisters in their health care needs.

Sister Margaret Joseph Hornyak, CSJ
60 Years

Sister Margaret Joseph Hornyak entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on January 2, 1950 from St. Rita Parish, Detroit. For thirteen years Sister taught in elementary schools at St. Joan of Arc, St. Clair Shores; St. Christopher, Marysville; Blessed Sacrament, Allegan; St. Therese, Lansing; St. Peter, Detroit; and St. Anthony, Hillsdale. That was followed by thirteen years teaching microbiology and parisitology at Nazareth College. In 1981 Sister Margaret Joseph left the classroom and worked in the laboratory at St. John Hospital in Detroit until her retirement.

Sister Mary Louise Martin, CSJ
(formerly Sister Marie Goretti)
60 Years

Sister Mary Louise Martin entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on January 2, 1950 from St. Michael Parish, Pontiac, Michigan. Her teaching ministry began at Holy Family Parish in Dowagiac, Michigan, followed by two years at Gate of Heaven School in Chicago. For forty-one years Sister Mary Lou served as an elementary school teacher and principal in the Catholic schools in the Dioceses of Kalamazoo, Lansing and Detroit., Sister Mary Lou now assists as caregiver for our sisters at Borgess Gardens.

Sister Patricia Mullen, CSJ
(formerly Sister Geralda)
60 Years

Sister Patricia Mullen entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on July 1, 1950 from St. James Parish, Ferndale, Michigan. Healthcare ministry and congregational leadership have enriched Sister Pat’s call to serve the Church and its people while ministering within diverse parishes, schools and health care ministries. She has felt privileged to serve on hospital boards and committees including as the first Patient Representative at St. Joseph Hospital in Flint and as the first Vice President of Mission Integration at St. Joseph Hospital in Tawas.

Sister Marilyn Nichols, CSJ
(formerly Sister Marilyn Ann)
60 Years

Sister Marilyn Nichols entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on July 1, 1950 from St. Augustine Parish, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Sister Marilyn’s service includes the Environmental Committee for Rockville Centre, Eco-spirituality programs, as a board member of the American Teilhard Association and as an NGO alternative representative at the UN. Presently Sister continues as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Theology at St. John’s Vincentian University in New York.

Sister Martha Ann Oldani, CSJ
60 Years

Sister Martha Ann Oldani entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on July 1, 1950 from Guardian Angels Parish, Detroit. Her teaching ministry took her to Michigan schools in Algonac, Flint, Detroit, St. Clair Shores, Hillsdale, Battle Creek, Portland and Taylor. For ten years she worked as a receptionist at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit. Now Sister Martha Ann helps in the physical and occupational therapy room at Nazareth.

Sister Elizabeth Marie Reis, CSJ
60 Years

Sister Elizabeth Marie Reis entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on July 1, 1950 from St. James Parish, Ferndale, Michigan. Early ministry in teaching primary children and religious education at all levels took Sister Elizabeth to parishes in Wyandotte, St. Clair Shores, Hillsdale, Flint and Downriver Detroit. Advanced studies prepared Sister Elizabeth to respond to an invitation from Leadership and she became Director of the SSJ Consultant Services, a ministry which continues today.

50-Year Jubilarians

Sister Marie Benzig, CSJ
(formerly Marie Magdalen)
50 Years

Sister Marie Benzing entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 1, 1960 from St. Benedict Parish, Highland Park, Michigan. For forty-three years Sister Marie has taught mostly young children and is now looking to the future. She discovered her interest in art with entrance into the congregation and it has become a lifelong passion. As with this opportunity for continual learning and growing, she now looks forward to where God may lead her.

Sister Marcella Clancy, CSJ
(formerly Sister Marie Patrick)
50 Years

Sister Marcella Clancy entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 1, 1960 from St. Rita Parish, Detroit. Sister Marcella is grateful for the support, friendships,and opportunities that have provided the advanced degrees in nursing, theology and certification in spiritual direction that have prepared her for a ministry that has allowed her to enter into sacred spaces in other’s lives.

Sister Mary Anne Dalton, CSJ
(formerly Sister Aniceta)
50 Years

Sister Mary Anne Dalton entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 1, 1960 from Good Shepherd Parish, Lincoln Park, Michigan. For over fifty years Sister Mary Anne has been in the teaching ministry. She has taught English, religion, speech and drama courses at St. John Vianney High in Flint, Monsignor O’Brien High and Hackett High in Kalamazoo. Currently she is teaching at Marygrove College in Detroit in the teacher certification program.

Sister Joyce Dropps, CSJ
(formerly Sister Mary Janine)
50 Years

Sister Joyce Dropps entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 1, 1960 from St. Michael Parish, Pontiac, Michigan. Sister Joyce began her teaching ministry at St. Joseph in Kalamazoo, followed by Immaculate Heart, St. Anthony, Pontiac Catholic High and Bishop Borgess High. After various education experiences, including in the Detroit Public Schools, Sister Joyce has retired from the education ministry and now serves as volunteer administrative coordinator at the St. Alexander food pantry in Farmington, Michigan.

Sister Bernadine Gazda, CSJ
(formerly Sister Mary Edward Anne)
50 Years

Sister Bernadine Gazda entered the Felician Sisters on June 19, 1960 from St. Bartholomew Parish, Detroit and transferred to the Sisters of St. Joseph on November 26, 1975. Sister was educated to teach religion and history and served as a formation director before transferring to the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1975. For thirty-five years she has served as a pastoral associate and director of religious education.

Sister Janet Kurtz, CSJ
(formerly Sister Marie Raymond)
50 Years

Sister Janet Kurtz entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 1, 1960 from St. Mary of Redford Parish, Detroit. Multicultural/multiracial living and ministerial experiences with persons in the U.S., Mexico, Bolivia and Peru have brought great joy to Sister Janet. Supported by the global vision of her community, she has returned to ministry in Peru.

Sister Nancy Martin, CSJ
(formerly Sister Lucilla)
50 Years

Sister Nancy Martin entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 1, 1960 from St. Philip Neri Parish, Detroit. For twenty-six years she served at St. Francis Home. A career change brought Sister Nancy to the Grosse Pointe Public School System. The Accounts Payable Department of the Grosse Pointe Public School System is where Sister Nancy continues to be a servant to those who serve others.

Sister Agnes Mullally, CSJ
50 Years

Sister Agnes Mullally entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 1, 1960 from St. Mary Parish, Mt. Morris, Michigan. Sister Agnes feels blessed by the presence of daily Mass, special family members, holy sisters and the guiding hands of priests and great companions on her spiritual journey. She finds teaching provides joy and fulfillment in her life. Teaching for her is a delight, not work

Sister Marie Roy, CSJ
(formerly Sister Mary Lisieux)
50 Years

Sister Marie Roy entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 1, 1960 from St. Rita Parish, Detroit. Her early ministry in teaching took her to St. Henry, Lincoln Park; St. David, Detroit; Holy Family, Grand Blanc; IHM, Lansing; St. Brigid, Detroit; St. Valentine, Redford; St. Mary, Wayne and St. Luke in Detroit. Sister Marie has served at St. Luke in Detroit as the pastoral associate for fourteen years. Her gift is her passion for the city of Detroit and its people which she brings to her ministry at St. Luke Parish.