Archdiocesan news

Jubilarians | Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (DC)

60th Entrance

Sister Helen Negri

Birth name: Helen Rita

Birthplace: San Mateo, California

Entrance: 1960

Education: Bachelor’s in Sociology, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1964

Master’s in social work, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, 1968

Service in the archdiocese: Caseworker, Catholic Charities, St. Louis, 1968-70

Executive director, Child Center of Our Lady, St. Louis, 1986-89

CEO, Marygrove, Residential Treatment Center, Florissant, 1983-2018

Local community superior, Russell Residence, Maryland Heights, 1983-89

Local community superior, St. Joseph Residence, St. Louis, 1989-95

Local community superior, Jacobson Residence, Bridgeton, 1999-2018

Development advisory board, 1990-94

St. Mary’s Special School board, 1993-98

Guardian Angel Settlement Association board, 1997-2007

Assistant in fund development, Marygrove, 2019-present

Local community superior, Oak Hill Residence, 2018-present

Service outside the archdiocese: Elementary teacher in Birmingham, Alabama

Social worker, supervisor, director and associate administrator, New Orleans

Local community superior, New Orleans

Board member in New Orleans and Texas, including National Board of Catholic USA

Board member of St. Joseph Services, Inc., Chicago 2018-present

About Sister Helen Negri: I have always enjoyed nature, especially watching birds. Through my ministry at Marygrove, showing pedigree cats has been a true joy for me and the children with whom I have shared this love. For many years, as a thank you to the children who helped care for our cats, we would take a weekend trip to one of the exhibitions. The children considered these trips a great honor and everyone had such fun! I also enjoy fishing, finding it relaxing and the perfect time to spend with God. I am grateful to my sisters in community, those whom I have served throughout my 60 years as a Daughter of Charity, and to my God, who has guided me and loved me throughout my life journey.

60th Entrance

Sister Emile Morgan

Birth name: Frances Morris

Birthplace: St. Charles

Entrance: 1960

Education: Bachelor’s in English, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1963

Master’s in film, Columbia College, Chicago, 1975

Service in the archdiocese: Secondary teacher, St. Vincent High School, Perryville, 1963-67

Secondary teacher and chairperson of English department, St. Vincent High School, Perryville, 1971-74

Service outside the archdiocese: Secondary teacher in Illinois

Director of communications for Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Missionary in Africa for 29 years

Board member, Opportunity Center and DCCS-EP DC Community Services, El Paso, Texas, 2010

Assistant director at Reynolds Home, 2009-present

Chairperson of Centro San Vincente Family Clinic in El Paso, Texas

About Sister Emile Morgan: Although I thoroughly enjoyed my early years of ministry teaching teenagers and serving in diocesan media communications, I was particularly drawn to following the charism of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac to serve the abandoned poor. For just under 30 years, I was blessed to serve in the Congo-Congo Province, where I loved helping educate women, who wanted a better quality of life for their children. I also found being involved in the formation of young Congolese Daughters of Charity serving in today’s Africa especially rewarding. I am very grateful to my sisters in community and blessed to have served for over 30 years in a country that needs so much. It is a small miracle to be able to continue serving moms and kids in El Paso for the last ten years.

60th Entrance

Sister Kathleen Miles

Birth name: Kathleen Ann

Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana

Entrance: 1960

Education: Bachelor’s in Spanish, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, 1955

Exchange student, University of Madrid, Spain through University of Louisiana, Lafayette, 1955-56

Bachelor’s in education, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, 1957

Service in the archdiocese: Upper elementary teacher, St. Vincent Grade School, Perryville, 1966-68

Ministry of prayer, The Sarah Community, Bridgeton

Service outside the archdiocese: Educator in Missouri and Texas

Rural community services in California

Parish administrator at two rural parishes, Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas, for 20 years

Parish ministry in North Platte, Nebraska

Hispanic Ministry in Texas

Local community superior in Texas and Arkansas Director of religious education in Texas

Patient representative and volunteer in Arkansas

Board member of DC Services of Arkansas

About Sister Kathleen Miles: In my 60 years as a Daughter of Charity, I have been blessed and challenged. Through the years, God has called me to a deeper commitment of fidelity and of service to His people. Each mission has been life-giving, but it has been serving with the Hispanic community that I am most grateful. I thank God, the Hispanic community and my Daughters of Charity Community for the many blessings of my ministries. Now that I have a bit more time on my hands, I enjoy listening to music (from jazz to opera), watching movies on Netflix, reading and keeping in touch with family and friends! I am grateful to have served with my sisters in community and to our Lord, who continues to guide me and replenishes me daily with His love.

70th Entrance

Sister Patricia Elder

Birth name: Patricia Anne

Birthplace: St. Louis

Entrance: 1950

Education: Bachelor’s in nursing, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1960

Certification as nurse-midwife, Catholic Maternity Center, St. Louis, 1960

Master’s in nursing, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., 1965

Service in the archdiocese: Nursing supervisor, St. Vincent Hospital, St. Louis, 1956-58

Faculty member maternity-nursing, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1966-73

Staff nurse and midwife, St. Louis City Hospital, St. Louis, 1973, 1974-76

Faculty member graduate program in midwifery, Saint Louis University School of Nursing, St. Louis, 1973-74

1976-80

Director of graduate program in nursing/midwifery, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, 1980-84

Clinical nurse and midwife, DePaul Health Center, Bridgeton, 1986-87

Ministry of prayer, The Sarah Community, Bridgeton, 2013-16

Service outside the archdiocese: Supervisor, director and nurse practioner in nursing-midwifery in Illinois, Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky and Texas

Faculty at Catholic University of Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador

Education coordinator in Kentucky

Local community superior in El Paso

Community ambassador and board chair in Austin

Ministry of prayer at Seton Residence in Evansville, Indiana, 2016-present

About Sister Patricia Elder: I am basically a happy person who enjoys good conversation and humor. My vocation has afforded me the opportunity to serve the poor and bring the gift of life into the world. My experiences have taken me far and wide across the globe, making me grateful for a glimpse of God’s people and creation. My life now in the ministry of prayer keeps attuned to our suffering world. As I celebrate my 70th jubilee, I say with the psalmist, “I will praise you Lord, with all my heart!”

70th Entrance

Sister Maria Liebeck

Birth name: Shirley Dorothy

Birthplace: Gleason, Tennessee

Entrance: 1950

Education: Bachelor’s in science, Fontbonne College, St. Louis, 1957

Master’s degree, University of Dallas, Texas, 1968

Service in the archdiocese: Preschool/early childhood education and art teacher, St. Patrick Day Care Center and St. Patrick School, St. Louis, 1951-52

Primary teacher, St. Patrick School, St. Louis, 1954-57

Assistant postulant directress, Marillac Provincial House, and art instructor, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1958-66

Dean of students and art instructor, Marillac College, and assistant art professor, Cardinal Glennon College, St. Louis, 1967-72

Activity director, Marillac Provincial House Villa Infirmary, St. Louis, 1978-79

Parish minister, St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Louis, 1979-82

Art ministry and ministry of prayer, The Sarah Community, Bridgeton, 2015-20

Service outside the archdiocese: Art educator and administrator in Iowa, Puerto Rico and Texas

Pastoral ministry and as local community superior in Texas and Arkansas

Ministry of Prayer, Seton Residence in Evansville, Indiana, 2020

About Sister Maria Liebeck: I have been gifted with creativity and it has brought great peace and joy to my soul. I am a very positive person who celebrates each day with the joys and experiences that it brings. I have been blessed in community to be able to bring beauty to the poor I served in so many ways, to my companions and to my prayer life. The Lord has done great things for me over these 70 years and being in the ministry of prayer affords me the opportunity to give time and thanksgiving to my Lord.

70th Entrance

Sister Carmela Molini

Birth name: Mary Louise

Birthplace: St. Louis

Entrance: 1950

Education: Bachelor’s in history, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1965

Service in the archdiocese: Middle grades teacher, St. Catherine Laboure School, 1959-60

Primary teacher, Perryville, 1975-79

Tutor, Holy Spirit School, Maryland Heights, and Our Lady of Guadalupe School, St. Louis, 2013-16

Ministry of prayer, The Sarah Community, Bridgeton

Service outside the archdiocese: Primary and secondary teacher, librarian, and tutor in Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, Iowa and Texas

Pastoral minister in Missouri

Parish minister in South Carolina and Arizona

Docent in Emmitsburg, Maryland

About Sister Carmela Molini: I was born in St. Louis to immigrant parents from Domodossola in Northern Italy. I had two brothers and two sisters, and we were a very close-knit and loving family. Our Catholic faith was an important part of our family life, and we children all attended Catholic schools. I met the Daughters of Charity in my sophomore year, and fell in love with their friendliness, simplicity and joy. My primary ministry throughout the 70 years as a daughter has been in education, as a teacher, a librarian, a tutor, and most importantly, to faithfully follow our charism “to be of service to the poor.” One of my favorite memories is being on mission in Guatemala and all the wonderful people I met there. They had few possessions but were spiritually rich in love for God and family. I feel blessed to have served as a Daughter of Charity for 70 years, and grateful to my community for their support and to my God, whose mercy has nourished and sustained me throughout my years of ministry and whose love continues to fill me with faith and joy.

70th Entrance

Sister Rosalie Digenan

Birth name: Rosemary

Birthplace: Easton, Missouri

Entrance: 1950

Education: Bachelor’s in elementary education, Fontbonne College, St. Louis, 1958

Master’s in special education, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, 1965

Studied spiritual direction and theology, St. Thomas Seminary, Denver

Service in the archdiocese: Middle school teacher, St. Malachy School, St. Louis, 1951-52

Board member of Missouri Child Care Association, St. Louis, 1974-99

Board member of DePaul Health Center, Bridgeton, 1977-81

Mission integration, Florissant, 2010-18

Board member of Vincentian Mission Corps., St. Louis 2014-18

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher in Illinois, Mississippi, Utah, and Kansas City, Missouri

Elementary administration and executive director in Kansas City

Special services for Archdiocese of New Orleans

Vincentian Formation Team member in Denver

Education director and pastoral ministries in Evansville, Indiana

Local community superior in New Orleans and Missouri

Board appointments include Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana and Texas

Ministry of prayer at Seton Residence in Evansville, Indiana 2019-present

About Sister Rosalie Digenan: I have served in so many different capacities, both with children and adults, and enjoyed the challenges that each one provided me to grow personally. I have especially enjoyed serving the young people at Marygrove, which was the highlight of my life! Engaged in spiritual direction opened for me a special avenue to bring healing, hope and a new perspective to those who wished to deepen their relationship with God. It is with great joy that I give thanks to God for calling me to serve his people, the community and my companions for 70 years.

70th Entrance

Sister Anthony Barczykowski

Birth name: Mary LaVerne

Birthplace: St. Louis

Entrance: 1950

Education: Bachelor’s in education, Fontbonne College, St. Louis, 1957

Master’s of social work, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, 1958

Service in the archdiocese: Councillor, Marillac Provincialate, St. Louis, 1989-95

Board Member of DCNHS-WC Hospitals, St. Louis, 1989-94

Service outside the archdiocese: Teaching, social work and administration in Alabama, California and New Orleans

Associate director for Catholic Charities New Orleans for four years

CEO of Catholic Charities

Director of community services for Archdiocese of New Orleans for 21 years

Executive director of community services for 22 years

Local community superior in New Orleans

Board member in New Orleans at St. Vincent’s and St. Elizabeth’s, 1974-76, and Hotel Dieu, 1976-77

Volunteer, Chateau de Notre Dame in New Orleans, 2015-20

Ministry of prayer at Seton Residence in Evansville, Indiana

About Sister Anthony Barczykowski: I have had a full life of ministry and touching the lives of so many children, adults, staff, the disabled, immigrants, refugees and the needy with so many programs for the poor. I have thoroughly enjoyed the culture of New Orleans, the people, and the food and even the challenges. Oh, and the Saints! I am now ready to enjoy a new community life, the quiet of Seton Residence, and the beauty of my surroundings and my recliner!

75th Entrance

Sister Mary John Lindner

Birth name: Frances Louise

Birthplace: Cumberland, Maryland

Entrance: 1945

Education: Bachelor’s in English, Fontbonne College, St. Louis, 1951

Master’s in social work, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, 1956

Doctorate in education in psychology, St. John’s University, Jamaica, N.Y., 1966

Service in the archdiocese: Secondary teacher, Laboure High School, St. Louis, 1952-57

Instructor and teacher, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1957-61

Generalist for president of Marillac College, 1966

Chairperson of teacher education, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1966-71

Teacher, St. Ann Elementary School, Normandy, 2006

Tutor at Parkwood Elementary School and Holy Spirit School, Maryland Heights, 2006-12

Provincial councillor, 1971-74 and provincial, 1974-83, Marillac Provincialate, St. Louis

Local community superior at Marillac College, 1971, The Sarah Community, Bridgeton, 1999-2005, and Eldon Residence, Maryland Heights, 2006-09

Board member of DC Shared Services, St. Louis, 1974-83

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher in Louisiana and Missouri

Superintendent of Schools for Diocese of Amarillo, Texas

Parish and pastoral minister in Texas and West Plains, Missouri

Ministry of prayer at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg, Maryland

About Sister Mary John Lindner: I was blessed to have been born to faith-filled parents, the ninth of 13 children and one of five who became Daughters of Charity. A lifelong interest of mine has been in writing poetry. These poems have been a source of inspiration and comfort in my spiritual life and a means to express my love and gratitude to God. In my ministry of education – as a tutor, a teacher, a councillor and even superintendent of schools – I have realized a progressive unfolding of God’s loving providence. As a councillor and provincial at our Marillac Provincialate in St. Louis, I received the loving support of community and drew on the beauty and strength of our charism in serving our God and those whom we are called to serve. Thanksgiving to God is my response to my 75 years as a Daughter of Charity and as a grateful daughter of our Lord.

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