Sister Debra Marie Sciano, Provincial Leader, previously served as a Provincial Councilor (2001-2005) and Provincial Leader (2005-2011) of the former Milwaukee Province. Sister Debra said, “I look forward to developing a faith community with the provincial council as we serve the needs of the Central Pacific Province, wherever we are needed. I love to connect people in a variety of ways.” SSND drew Sister Debra in with their “caring community spirit, the emphasis on bringing people together as expressed in the mission statement, the various ministries serving many, including those who are underprivileged, the focus on education, and their presence all over the world.”
Sister Debra Marie was born in Milwaukee and professed her final vows at Our Lady of Good Hope Church in Milwaukee in 1986. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1981 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Doctor of Law (JD) degree in 1988 from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida. From 1988 to 2001, she was an Assistant District Attorney for the State of Wisconsin, primarily representing children in need of protection and services. From 2013 to June 2019, Sister Debra served as a Family Mediator in Milwaukee, helping families communicate with one another, focus on the needs of their children and resolve issues within mediation, rather than in court. Sister Debra said, “I have been blessed to meet and interact with people from many diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions and unique family situations.”
“I am grateful for all the love, support and prayers. Please continue to pray for us as we journey into the future together. Peace be to all,” said Sister Debra.
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Sister Dawn Achs hopes to continue to build on what was established during the first eight years of the Central Pacific Province. She wants to encourage sisters to be creative as they look toward the future and to respond to challenges with courage. She said, “I hope to not only be able to grow in my relationship with the sisters of the province, but also with our many collaborators. I believe deeply in how we are enriched and open to new opportunities as we get to know one another.” Born in St. Louis, Sister Dawn entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1968, and professed final vows in 1976.
From 1973-1989, she served as a teacher or administrator for schools in Illinois and Missouri. Beginning in 1989, Sister Dawn was a team member addressing ongoing formation on the Growth and Integration Forum in St. Louis. She returned to formal education in 1993, as an administrator and learning consultant in schools in St. Louis. In 1997, Sister Dawn was named communications director for the international congregation at the Generalate in Rome. She served in that capacity until 2000, when she returned to formal education as an administrator for schools in Missouri. From 2008-2019, Sister Dawn was an associate superintendent for Catholic schools in the dioceses of Victoria, Texas, and Dallas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies from the former Notre Dame College, St. Louis, in 1973 and a master’s degree in special education from Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, in 1982.
Sister Dawn’s favorite ministry was serving the Generalate in Rome. She said, “My years living at the Generalate gifted me with the experience of realizing in a deep way the gift it is to be a part of the SSND International Congregation.”
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Sister Mary Kay Brooks has served others using her gifts of teaching high school mathematics in schools in Minnesota and Illinois for over 30 years. Creating an atmosphere of love and acceptance with a touch of humor was important in her math class. The past three years Sister Mary Kay has been working with the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) Vocation team accompanying women discerning their vocation and sharing the SSND charism. Being of service to her sisters is a key aspect of her entire being. Sister Mary Kay was born in Red Wing, Minnesota, and made her first profession of vows in 1980 in Mankato, Minnesota.
Her teaching assignments were in various schools in Minnesota and Chicago. She taught all levels of high school mathematics and college algebra. From 2016 to 2019, Sister Mary Kay was part of the SSND North American Vocation team accompanying women in their discernment. Living in Dallas she traveled to various parts of the province working with high schools, colleges/universities, retreat centers, parishes and any other group to share the charism of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. She enjoyed journeying with women who were discerning their vocation in life. Sister Mary Kay earned a bachelor’s in mathematics from Mount Mary College (now University) and a master’s in education from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis in 1992. She will complete her Spiritual Director’s certificate in July 2019 from the Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.
Sister Mary Kay’s favorite memory was from serving students at DeLaSalle in Minneapolis. She said, “I loved being with the kids at DeLaSalle. I knew every day I was helping them become their best selves.”
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Sister Christine Garcia is serving her second consecutive term on the provincial council. Her first term started in 2015. Her goals for the next four years are to continue to “communally discern God’s Spirit, who is evolving our SSND charism in response to the needs of the world and in that hope together we will move forward the directives, our call, from the 2018 Assembly of the Whole; all for the love of Christ and his mission in service to God and the world.” Sister Christine was born in San Antonio and entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) in Dallas in 1976.
She taught middle school students in Texas from 1978-1991 and 1997-1998. She transitioned into administration at Immaculate Conception in Rio Grande, Texas, from 1991-1997.
In 1998, she moved to St. Mary of the Pines in Chatawa, Mississippi, for community service and to begin communal discernment for an SSND mission in Pakistan. On May 9, 2000, she and two other SSND were received by the Pakistani Catholic community. Sadly, the events of September 11, 2001, ended their time there. Returning to the United States, Sister Christine served as the vocation ministry director for the former Dallas Province until 2007. After a year of study along the U.S.-Mexico border and in communal discernment, she helped open the Douglas, Arizona, SSND community in 2010. SSND continue collaborative efforts offering humanitarian outreach to migrants and educational experiences for greater understanding of border realities and advocacy for immigration reform.
Sister Christine received her bachelor’s in Elementary Education from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, in 1976, and her master's in Catholic School Administration and Supervision from Boston College in 1991.
Regarding her time on the Arizona-Mexico border and migrant ministry, Sister Christine said, “Meeting the many women, children and men dedicated to their families and hopes for a better life was inspiring. They are always near to my heart and prayers.”
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As a member of the provincial council, Sister Helen Jane Jaeb’s goal is to continue to assist the council in moving forward together, to where the School Sisters of Notre (SSND) are called as an international community. She served her first term on the provincial council from 2009-2011 in the former Mankato Province at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Mankato, Minnesota, and from 2011-2015 for the Central Pacific Province. Sister Helen Jane grew up in a small town with SSND. She said, “I’m so grateful that the sisters had been an active part of our community.” With a solid grounding in SSND charism, Sister Helen Jane said, “Of course I was going to be an SSND.”
Sister Helen Jane was born in St. Michael, Minnesota, and made her first vows in 1972 in Mankato, Minnesota. Her initial teaching assignments were in Minnesota and North Dakota as a primary school teacher. From 1980-1985, she was director of vocations for the former Mankato province. From 1985-1995, she served in Patzun, Guatemala, Guatemala City and Ixchiguan, San Marcos, Guatemala. After a period of study, Sister Helen Jane taught English as a Second Language (ESL) within Stillwater State Correctional Facility, Stillwater, Minnesota, from 1997- 2009. For three months in 2015-2016, she lived in Mako, Hungary, to work as an English teacher within the elementary school setting. Sister Helen Jane began and coordinated an adult ESL program for VINE Faith in Action, Mankato, Minnesota. In June of 2018, she began her work in Amarillo, Texas, as a developer and coordinator of an English language learning program through Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle. Sister Helen Jane earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from Mount Mary College (now University) in Milwaukee and a master’s in English as another Language from Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont.
“As an SSND, I’ve loved teaching. Watching the students grow in confidence was inspirational and I too continued to learn and grow with them.” said Sister Helen Jane, recalling her treasured memories.
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Sister Anna Marie Reha is serving on the Central Pacific Province provincial council for a second consecutive term. “My hope for the next four years is that the province will continue to move forward into the future with great courage as we hold sacred our mission to make one and to promote unity,” she said. Sister Anna Marie was born in Iowa City, Iowa, and entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1979 at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Mankato, Minnesota.
Sister Anna Marie earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mankato State University, Mankato, Minnesota (now Minnesota State University). From 1984-1991, she served as an elementary school teacher at St. Matthew's School in St. Paul, Minnesota, and professed final vows in 1989. After her time at St. Matthew’s, she went to Guatemala where she learned Spanish and served the parish of San Sebastian in San Marcos, Guatemala, for 10 years, first as a pastoral care worker and then as parish administrator. During that time, Sister Anna Marie also served as the director of vocations in Guatemala for the former Mankato province. Upon returning to the United States in 2002, she earned a Master’s of Divinity from Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio. She then served as the director of Hispanic ministry for the Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota.
Sister Anna Marie particularly enjoyed serving the parish of San Sebastian in San Marcos, Guatemala. She said, “I was transformed over and over again through the many pastoral experiences, from celebrating life-giving sacraments to accompanying grieving families during their time of loss.”
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Sister Lynne Schmidt’s introduction to the School Sisters of Notre Dame came through her elementary years in St. Louis. She is serving her second term as a provincial councilor; her previous term from 2007–2011 was served for the former St. Louis Province. She believes the foundation of each council’s ministry is built on that of the previous council. This new council is called to respond to current needs and to work with the Sisters to “make one” and to bring about the reign of God. Sister Lynne was born in St. Louis and made her final vows in 1970.
Her initial teaching assignments were in intermediate and secondary education in St. Louis and Santa Fe Springs, California. From 1974-1975, she served in parish ministry at St. Rose of Lima in Guaimaca, Honduras. Sister Lynne continued her work as a pastoral associate in three parishes in central Nebraska from 1975-1977, and in Fulton, Missouri, from 1977-1980. Sister Lynne was co-director of the Newman Center in Louisville, Kentucky, from 1983-1987. From 1987-1989, she was the director of catechetics and worship in Shreveport, Louisiana. From 1989-1992, she served as program director for the Rural Ministry Education Institute National Office and as the personal growth director at Maria Center in St. Louis. From 1992-1994, she served at St. Louis University as director of the pastoral ministry education program. She also taught in the theology department until 1999. From 1994-2007, she was the director of religious education at St. Peter Catholic Church in Kirkwood, Missouri, and later at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Valley Park, Missouri. From 2012-2013, Sister Lynne served as director of religious education for Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church in St. Louis. From 2014 to June 2019, she provided courses and workshops in adult faith formation and theological education in various locations. She also ministered as the pastoral associate at St. Cronan Church in St. Louis. Sister Lynne earned a bachelor’s in English and Latin in 1973, from the former Notre Dame College in St. Louis, and a master’s in English from Ball State University in Indiana, in 1965. She later earned her second master's and doctorate in 1983 from Chicago Theological Seminary. Her degrees are in Divinity and Ministry.
One of Sister Lynne’s favorite memories as an SSND occurred during her time in parish ministry in Nebraska, “I really began to learn the value of community that is different from living within the same house," said Sister Lynne. Sisters from Hastings contacted Sister Lynne and they met periodically to share faith and fun. Additionally, sisters from various congregations gathered several times a month for support and prayer.
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