HEROES:
RELIGIOUS SISTERS------JUBILARIANS OF 2008 A.D.

As Anita and I were leaving Saint Malachi Church after a Saturday evening Mass in April, I picked up a copy of the Universe Bulletin, a weekly newspaper for Catholics who live in the diocese of Cleveland.

In that edition of the Universe Bulletin were pictures and bios of religious women who had taught in schools of the diocese and were celebrating anniversaries of their entrance into religious life. It’s impossible for me to give you even a short biography of each of them but here is a summary of their years of service:

• One has given 80 years;
• Eleven have given 75 years;
• Fourteen have given 70 years;
• Seventeen have given 65 years;
• Fifty-four have given 60 years;
• Fifty have given 50 years;
• Ten have given 25 years.

It should not be forgotten that many of these teachers at times had as many as 50 kids in a classroom – a very challenging assignment that was unfair to the teachers and to the kids they taught. But there was pressure from parents on pastors to get their children into a Catholic school. In some instances parents who could not control their children expected the nuns to do what they could not do at home. Is it any wonder that sometimes a nun would lose her temper and treat a recalcitrant, spoiled kid rather harshly?

Nor should it be forgotten that many of these sisters did not have a chance to rest in the summer or on weekends because they attended classes at Saint John College of Cleveland earning credits for a master’s degree or teaching summer school in their parishes.

And as one who was dean of the graduate division of the college for eight years, I can personally attest that most of them continued their education regardless of the number of degrees they earned and helped the church adapt to the changing needs of the time by taking on new professions.

It has been a great honor and a pleasure to know many of you. Congratulations, Sisters, and thank you.

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