Heart and Soul

School Sisters of Notre Dame serve in all levels of education. Meet one SSND superintendent who is transforming the world through education.

“Everything I have done has prepared me for the next ministry,” said Sister Gloria Cain, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Dallas, who will retire on June 30, 2015, after serving as a Catholic school superintendent for 30 years. “Of course, I won’t really be retired. I just will no longer be a superintendent,” she said with a laugh.

“As teachers, we start with the little ones. We are called to give hope to those we serve, and to cultivate the wealth of creativity in the minds and hearts of people. We strive to infuse the SSND charism in all aspects of our life and ministry. We believe that education transforms society and calls forth the full potential of every person.”

Sister Gloria’s personal mission is to engage everybody with whom she has contact in such a way they realize they can do so many things, if they have hope and a willingness to work hard.

Sister Gloria taught for 10 years in Texas, New Mexico and Louisiana. She was the principal at Our Lady Queen of Heaven in Lake Charles, Louisiana, before becoming the deputy superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Lake Charles. She then served as the first superintendent for that diocese from 1985-96, followed by the Diocese of Victoria in Texas from 1996-2008 and the Diocese of Dallas from 2008 to present.

Sister Gloria often shares the stories of Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger, foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and Mother Caroline Friess, North American leader during the late 19th century. They wanted the sisters to “transform the world through education.”

“I have loved every one of my ministries,” she shared. “People who have loved me have prepared me to do for others. You put your heart and soul into what you are doing so you can do your best. I try to do that every day.”

And that is something Sister Gloria personally demonstrates every day – with her heart and soul!

What is your first memory of learning, praying and serving?

Photo: Sister Gloria Cain at Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas, Texas