50th First Profession
Sister Adele Brennan
Birthplace: Galveston, Texas
Entrance: 1972
First profession: 1975
Final profession: 1980
Education: Bachelor’s in English, University of Houston, 1970
Master’s in theology, Loyola University of Chicago, 1977
Master’s in administration, University of Notre Dame, 1988
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Ursuline Academy, St. Louis, 1979-83
Assistant principal, Ursuline Academy, St. Louis, 1981-83
Provincial secretary, Provincialate, Crystal City, 1996-2004
Adult religious education, St. Cecilia Parish, 2006-11
Provincial secretary, Provincialate, Kirkwood, 2011-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Ascension School, Oak Park, Illinois, 1977-79
Campus ministry, Ursuline Academy, New Orleans, 1983-86
Teacher and campus ministry, St. Teresa High School, Decatur, Illinois, 1986-87
Assistant principal, Ursuline Academy, Dallas, 1987-91
About Sister Adele Brennan: Sister Adele has ministered throughout the Central Province. She now lives in St. Louis where she is serving her 18th year as provincial secretary.
60th First Profession
Sister Paula (Sister Mary Leonard) Hartwig
Birthplace: Springfield, Illinois
Entrance: 1962
First profession: 1965
Final profession: 1970
Education: Bachelor’s in English, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1968
Master’s in secondary education, Texas A&I, Laredo, 1977
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Holy Cross School, Baden, 1991-93
Teacher, Our Lady of the Holy Cross School, Baden, 1993-2004
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Laredo, Texas, 1969-74; Springfield, Illinois, 1977-79; Galveston, Texas, 1979-80 and 1985-86; Granite City, Illinois, 2004-05
Principal, Laredo, Texas, 1974-77; Galveston, Texas, 1980-85
Parish ministry, Queen of Peace Mission, Galveston, Texas, 1986-89
Pastoral minister, San Juan de Los Lagos Parish, San Antonio, 1990
Pastoral care, Ursuline Convent and Queen of Peace Infirmary, Alton, Illinois, 2007-14
About Sister Paula (Mary Leonard) Hartwig: Sister Paula lives in St. Louis and has a ministry of prayer.
Sister Chabanel Mathison
Birth name: Judith Ann Mathison
Birthplace: Ames, Iowa
Entrance: 1961
First profession: 1965
Final profession: 1970
Education: Bachelor’s in education, Northern Iowa University, 1962
Master’s in education, Catholic University of America, 1967
Post-graduate study in theology, St. John’s University, Collegeville, 1978-79
Post-graduate study in theology, Jesuit School of Theology of Berkeley, 2001
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Peter School, Kirkwood, 1975-77
Principal, St. Peter School, Kirkwood, 1977-82
Pastoral associate, St. Cronan Parish, 2013-20
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Alton, Illinois, 1968-75; Oak Park, Illinois, 1983-84
Principal, St. Thomas School, Decatur, Illinois, 1984-88
Director, Villa Maria Retreat Center, Frontenac, Minnesota, 1988-2000
Missionary to Africa, St. Bede’s High School, Polokwane, South Africa, 2000-01
Prioress at Ursuline community, Dallas, 2001-08; Alton, Illinois, 2008-13
About Sister Chabanel Mathison: I have no favorites. Each ministry had its own gifts and challenges. I have enjoyed every place that I have been privileged to serve.
Sister Magdalita Roussel
Birth name: Claire Marie Roussel
Birthplace: New Orleans
Entrance: 1962
First profession: 1965
Final profession: 1970
Education: Bachelor’s in English, Marillac College, 1971
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Corpus Christi Elementary School, Jennings, 1969-73
Teacher, Corpus Christi District School, Jennings, 1973-75
Religious coordinator, St. Rose of Lima School and Parish, DeSoto, 1985-88
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Laredo, Texas, 1975-77; Collinsville, Illinois, 1977-80; Springfield, Illinois, 1980-81; Alton, Illinois, 1981-84; New Orleans, 1989-95
Principal, Sts. Peter and Paul School, Alton, Illinois, 1984-85
Missionary, Cameroon, 1995-98
Director of pastoral care, St. Margaret’s Daughters, New Orleans, 2002-03
Community service, 2004-16
Pastoral care, Our Lady of Wisdom, New Orleans, 2016-22
About Sister Magdalita Roussel: Sister Magdalita lives in St. Louis and has a ministry of prayer and presence.
Sister Elisa Ryan
Birth name: Betty Ryan
Birthplace: St. Louis
Entrance: 1962
First profession: 1965
Final profession: 1970
Education: Bachelor’s in math, Marillac College, 1969
Master’s in math, University of California, 1973
Service in the archdiocese: Assistant provincial, Ursuline Provincialate, Crystal City, 1987-90
Provincial prioress, Ursuline Provincialate, Crystal City, 1990-95
Director of vocation ministry, Ursuline Provincialate, St. Louis, 2010-20
Provincial prioress, Ursuline Provincialate, St. Louis, 2020-25
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Decatur, Illinois, 1969; Alton, Illinois, 1969-76
Principal, Ursuline Academy, Springfield, Illinois, 1976-85 and 86-87
Assistant General, Ursuline Generalate, Rome, Italy, 1995-2007
About Sister Elisa Ryan: Gratitude is what I feel after many years as an Ursuline. Belonging to an international community of sisters who share the mission of the Gospel around the globe is amazing. I have loved every ministry I was engaged in: education, leadership, vocation promotion, companioning women in prison. It’s been a collaborative effort with many persons who embody the charism of St. Angela Merici, our foundress, in these times. All has truly been gift and grace.
65th First Profession
Sister Carolyn Marie Brockland
Birthplace: St. Louis
Entrance: 1957
First profession: 1960
Final profession: 1965
Education: Bachelor’s in chemistry, College of New Rochelle, 1964
Master’s of chemistry, Loyola University of New Orleans, 1969
Master’s of pastoral ministry, Boston College
Service in the archdiocese: Principal, Ursuline Academy, St. Louis, 1975-81
Provincial councilor, Ursuline Provincialate, Crystal City, 1999-2005
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, New Orleans, 1964-69; Springfield, Illinois, 1969-75
Principal, Ursuline Academy, New Orleans, 1982-93
Prioress, Villa Maria Conference and Retreat Center, Frontenac, Minnesota, 1996-2003
Assistant, National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, New Orleans, 2012-15
Executive director, National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, New Orleans, 2015-23
About Sister Carolyn Marie Brockland: I continue to be amazed that the Ursulines took a chance on accepting me as an immature and inexperienced 16 year old who they mentored and encouraged over the years, making sure I was prepared professionally and spiritually so that I could grow and flourish as an Ursuline Sister. It’s been a wonderful life!
Sister Louis Marie Carter
Birth name: Patricia Carter
Birthplace: Dallas
Entrance: 1957
First profession: 1960
Final profession: 1965
Education: Bachelor’s in math, College of New Rochelle, 1963
Master’s in math, North Texas State University, 1970
Service in the archdiocese: Ministry of prayer, St. Louis, 2015-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Dallas, 1963-70; Springfield, Illinois, 1971-72
Registrar, Springfield College, Springfield, Illinois, 1972-81
Bookkeeper, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Houston, 1987-2015
About Sister Louis Marie Carter: Sister Louis Marie is now retired and living in St. Louis. She has a ministry of prayer.
Sister Ann Mary Hasting
Birth name: Nancy May Hasting
Birthplace: Dallas
Entrance: 1957
First profession: 1960
Final profession: 1965
Education: Bachelor’s in math, Marillac College, 1969
Master’s in teaching math, Tulane University, New Orleans, 1973
Master’s in biblical theology, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, 1994
Service in the archdiocese: Ministry of prayer, St. Louis, 2018-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Galveston, Texas, 1962-67; New Orleans, 1968-75; Alton, Illinois, 1975-78; Decatur, Illinois, 1979-80; Laredo, Texas, 1980-82; San Antonio, 1988-96; Dallas, 2006-07
Administrator, Ursuline Central Infirmary, San Antonio, 1982-84
Assistant, spiritual, social and business activities, Ursuline Central Infirmary, Alton, Illinois, 1984-86
Secretary, Ursuline Academy, Springfield, Illinois, 1986-87
Assistant, West Side Catholic School, San Antonio, 1996-2003
Community service, Dallas, 2004-08; Alton, Illinois, 2007-18
About Sister Ann Mary Hasting: Sister Ann Mary is living in Eureka and has a ministry of prayer.
Sister Nancy (Sister Martin) Vandeveer
Birthplace: Madison, Wisconsin
Entrance: 1957
First profession: 1960
Final profession: 1965
Education: Bachelor’s in education, Webster University, 1967
License as practical nurse, Decatur School of Practical Nursing, 1978
Massage therapist, The Chicago School of Massage Therapy, 1991
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Peter School, Kirkwood, 1963-65 and, 1967-73
Teacher, St. Rose of Lima School,
De Soto, 1965-67
Practical nurse, St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Louis, 1980-82
Massage therapist, St. Mary’s Healthcare Center, St. Louis, 1991-94
Massage therapist, Inner Balance Therapeutic Massage, St. Louis, 2003-09
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Galveston Texas, 1973-76
Staff, Ursuline Central Infirmary, Alton, Illinois, 1978-80
Head nurse, Ursuline Central Infirmary, San Antonio, 1982-84
Nurse, Ursuline Central Infirmary, Alton, Illinois, 1984-92
About Sister Nancy Vandeveer: Sister Nancy is living in St. Louis and has a ministry of prayer.
70th First Profession
Sister Maria Goretti Hotop
Birth name: Elizabeth Jeannette Hotop
Birthplace: Perryville
Entrance: 1952
First profession: 1955
Final profession: 1958
Education: Bachelor’s in Latin, College of New Rochelle, 1958
Master’s of teaching in Latin, Saint Louis University, 1968
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Ursuline Academy in Kirkwood, 1969-75 and 1977-78
Principal, Ursuline Academy in Kirkwood, 1971-75
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Alton, Illinois, 1958-61, 1963-68; Dallas, 1961-63; Portageville, Missouri, 1991-2005
Principal, St. Teresa High School, Decatur, Illinois, 1975-77
Religious education, Immaculate Conception Parish, St. Mary, Missouri, 1986-91
Pastoral care, Queen of Peace Infirmary, Alton, Illinois, 2005-14
About Sister Maria Goretti Hotop: Sister Marie Goretti lives in Alton, Illinois, and has a ministry of prayer and community service.
