Sister Mary Louis Hermann, CSJ
70 years
Sister Mary Louis Hermann is the eleventh of fourteen children of Edward Joseph and Hermina (Janisch) Hermann. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in Wichita on March 19, 1953, and spent a year at St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas. In 1955, she began x-ray training at St. Joseph Hospital which became her ministry career.
Sister Mary Louis spent more than fifty years working in hospitals, serving Del Norte, Colorado, and Ellinwood, Pittsburg, Wichita, and Dodge City, Kansas where she became involved in nuclear medicine. She would eventually add diagnostic radiology, radiation therapy, and CT scans to her resume of skills and experience. During her last tenure in Pittsburg, she was instrumental in planning the newly expanded Radiology Department. Even after transitioning to hospital chaplaincy before retirement, doctors would frequently seek out Sister Mary Louis referring to her vast understanding and expertise in radiology.
Sister Mary Louis loves a good walk, and during her hospital ministry faithfully began her days with a 2-mile trek. She was a regular participant in the March of Dimes Walk-a-Thon and was a two-time winner of the event. After her retirement, Sister Mary Louis worked in the dining room at Marian Hall and volunteered as a driver for sisters and residents unable to drive. She is a warm, friendly presence at Marian Hall, where she currently resides. Her dear friend Sister Martina White says of her, “I’ve never met anyone as close to Jesus as she is,” noting that whenever Sister Mary Louis encounters a struggle, she asks for His help to accomplish any goal.
Sister Sharon Marie McCauley, CSJ
(Sister Assumpta)
60 years
Sister Sharon Marie McCauley was one of three children born to Florence and Jerry McCauley. She was introduced to the sisters early on as a student at St. Rose Elementary School and St. Joseph Academy in New Orleans, from which she graduated in 1960. After entering the community, Sister Sharon Marie earned her teaching certificate at St. Joseph Junior College, and went on to earn a B.A. in Elementary Education at St. Mary’s Dominican College.
Sister Sharon Marie taught in parochial schools for fourteen years in the New Orleans Diocese at Our Lady of the Rosary, St. Pius X, St. Rose de Lima, and Sacred Heart. After serving three years in parish ministry, she transitioned to working in admissions at Southern Baptist Hospital. It was during this time that Sister Sharon Marie took up a new interest—running! Between 1979 and 1986, she completed three marathons in New York and New Orleans.
Today Sister Sharon Marie lives at Mt. St. Mary in Wichita, Kansas, where she moved following Hurricane Katrina. Although she found relocating difficult initially, she says being in Wichita has “been a complete blessing.” She enjoys visiting with the sisters in Joseph and Marian Halls, reading at daily Mass, and receiving the sacraments. She is faithful to her primary ministry: corresponding to friends, family, and employees with handwritten cards in recognition of birthdays, deaths, celebrations, and other life events.
Sister Rosa Mystica Miyake, CSJ
60 years
Sister Rosa Mystica was one of four children of Tamotsu and Hisako Miyake. She was educated at Shibutani High School and studied religion and social welfare at Wisdom College, Buddhist University, and through correspondence coursework. She joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita in Japan in 1963.
Sister Rosa Mystica worked in parish ministry at Holy Spirit Church in Kinugasa. She then spent many years in ministry to the aged, first at Matsuzaka’s Home for the Aged. Her time there was marked with challenges due to an outbreak of influenza in the area, but the sisters with whom she worked and lived sustained her with their jovial and prayerful spirits. When she went to Azaka Mission, Sister Rosa Mystica was impressed by the beauty of her surroundings (despite the insects that plagued the area.)
Sister Rosa Mystica has had the opportunity to travel extensively, including to the Holy Land and to the origin sites of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Le Puy and Lyon, France. She wishes to pass on the wisdom that, “No matter what circumstances may happen, always rejoice and live sincerely with the Lord, with a thankful heart to God.”
Sister Maria Murata, CSJ
50 years
Sister Maria Murata has spent many years of her ministry in education. She was a teacher and administrator at a kindergarten in Kikuchi, Japan, and has been the administrator of the special education school at Hakubaicho in Kyoto, Japan. She also served on the leadership team of the regional community during the process of creating the new Congregation of St. Joseph.
In addition to her devotion to St. Joseph and Jesus, Sister Maria says she has always tried to practice the fiat of St. Mary: “Be it done to me according to your will,” and is grateful for the years of service among her community.
