I believe I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher!  As a child, and into my teenage years I thought that learning and knowledge were much more exciting and fun than I had been led to believe!  I wanted to go back to the classroom and do it over—but on the teacher’s side of the desk.

 

I am from a small Irish family in South St. Louis and was fortunate that my parents made sacrifices so I could attend several Catholic elementary schools and Notre Dame High School.  I received my Bachelor’s Degree and teaching certificate at Notre Dame College.  I received my Master’s Degree in School Administration from the University of Dayton.  I also have Parish Director of Religious Education Certification from the Archdiocese of St. Louis.  Prior to my eighteen years as principal at All Saints, I taught in Catholic schools in West Alton, MO, Farmington, MO, East St. Louis, IL and Dardenne, MO.  I have been a principal at St. Stephen’s School, Caseyville, IL and at Our Lady of Loretto in North County, St. Louis.  All of my teaching experience and principalship have been in Catholic elementary schools—and I’ve loved every minute of it.

 

Children, big and small, absolutely delight me and put a smile on my face.  Animals of all kinds, especially dogs and cats, bring me great joy and melt my heart.  Currently, my life is being ruled by Suzi Wong, a Pekinese, Molly Malone, a Bichon Frise, and Michael, the Cockatiel.  I have yet to meet a book that I couldn’t immediately devour!  I enjoy cooking but a baker I’m not!  And…saving the best for last…I love my ministry and the wonderful people and children who “grace” my life at All Saints School and parish!

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  This famous saying certainly speaks to my journey.  My first single step began in Effingham, IL where I was born and raised with a sister and two brothers.  Blessed with a very faith-filled family I was led more steps further to the door of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND’s) in St. Louis, MO, taking my first vows with this religious congregation in 1972.  I often say that I was born with a “SSND booty” on, for having been taught by these Sisters they always seemed family to me!  Now I share community with over 4,500 School Sisters of Notre Dame in 33 countries throughout the world.

 

In some ways I feel my journey has come full circle being here at All Saints School for I am working with some of the children of students I taught!  My first teaching ministry was at St. Peters School in St. Charles, followed by teaching at Our Lady of Loretto School in north county St. Louis.  At both places I was blessed through the teaching of science, math and religion, and then all the fun of children’s choirs and religious congregation activities in between.  After completing my Master’s Degree in Theological Studies and World Mission, I found myself hearing a call to the broader global community, and saying “yes” to being in mission at our SSND secondary school in El Progreso, Honduras.  For the next ten years in Honduras I grew immensely, seeing the face of Christ in another culture, another language, in the eyes of the very poor.  As teacher and school administrator, as well as working with young Honduran Sisters in their beginning journey into religious life, my world expanded in ways I could never dream.  My own journey had literally gone more than “a thousand miles”.

 

I returned to the U. S. in 1997, taught religion for two years at Notre Dame High School in south St. Louis and then came to All Saints School and Parish eight years ago.  Again I am so deeply blessed to be in ministry with a tremendously committed pastoral leadership team here, a most dedicated group of catechist-teachers, beautiful loving children and highly supportive parents and guardians.  The journey continues here where I feel so called by God, here where I can hear the words of Corrie Ten Boom echoed:  “Every experience God gives us, every person God places in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future which only God can see.”

I have been employed at All Saints School in this position since 1986.  I also graduated from All Saints School as did my husband, my mother and my grandfather.  My four children, Dan, Dawn, Darren and Doug received their eight years of elementary education at All Saints.  Three of my nine grandchildren have already graduated from All Saints, five more are currently attending and one more will be attending in the future.  As you can see “I love this school!” 

I grew up in O'Fallon, Missouri, the second of six children.  I attended Assumption Grade School and graduated from St. Dominic High School.  My husband and I met in high school and married two years after my graduation.  We lived in Columbia while my husband finished college.  We moved to Kansas City after he graduated and lived there four years.  We now have three children, Andy, Allison, and Amy.  All three of them graduated from All Saints School.  I was a very active volunteer at All Saints while my children attended grade school, and also worked at various part time jobs.  When the opportunity to work at All Saints came up I knew it was where I wanted to be.  I have just completed my first year and have found it very challenging and rewarding.  I have been a member of All Saints parish since 1987.  I enjoy reading, exercising, and spending time with my family.