SSNDs honored for service in North Dakota

School Sisters of Notre Dame have had a tremendous impact on education throughout the world, and a small town in North Dakota is no exception. Sisters were called to Dickinson, North Dakota, in 1951, and on October 1, 2016, they were inducted into the Dickinson Catholic Schools’ Titan Hall of Fame for their service to the community.

There were 11 SSNDs on hand to receive the award, including Sisters Annette Dobitz and Rosemarie Dvorak, who teach in Dickinson schools currently. The other nine sisters were part of a legacy of more than 100 SSNDs who have taught in St. Wenceslaus Primary School or Trinity High School.

Pictured L to R: Sisters Ann Schoch, Paulissa Jirik, Rosaleen Krebs, Sue Von Bank, Karen Lay, Rosemarie Dvorak, Chrishelle Jaspers, Annette Dobitz, Richardé Marie Wolf, Gladys Reisenauer, Dorothy Zeller.

Four SSNDs arrived in Dickinson to establish a primary school at St. Wenceslaus Parish in 1951. Initially, the school had four rooms and held 98 students. By 1957, the school grew to seven classrooms and 263 pupils. In 1961, four additional SSNDs arrived to open Trinity High School. Both schools continue to provide a quality Catholic education to those living in Dickinson.

Since establishing the schools, many sisters have served as teachers and administrators in both schools. Sisters Mary Isabel Kathrein and Mary Bede Bedzicek served in the schools for 25 years and 29 years, respectively, both leaving in 1997. Sister Mary Bede’s family has established a memorial scholarship in her name.

The program at the induction stated: “Our Dickinson Catholic Schools simply would not be the same without the steady guiding hands of the over 100 School Sisters of Notre Dame who have served us throughout our history. Some have gone on to other responsibilities elsewhere and serve in another capacity, and many have gone onto their eternal reward, but they continue to be a powerful influence on our past, present and will continue to help us in the future.”