Springfield Dominicans

 

60 years

Sister Janet Pfile, OP

 

Sister Janet Marie Pfile, OP, celebrates 60 years as a Springfield Dominican. She made her profession of vows on Jan. 4, 1961. She was born in Decatur and her religious name early on was Sister Maria del Rey.

 

Her education includes a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Illinois, and a master’s in pastoral ministry from the University of Dayton.

 

In the Diocese of Rockford, Sister Janet was principal and junior high teacher at St. Charles Borromeo School in Hampshire (1987-1989); principal at SS. Peter and Paul School in Cary (1989-1993); teacher and administrative assistant at Rosary High School, Aurora (1993-1995); and pastoral associate at St. James Parish, Rockford (1995-2007).

 

Sister Janet’s service has also included ministry as a teacher and/or principal in Illinois schools in Chicago, East Moline, New Berlin and Quincy. 

 

She currently is serving as pastoral associate at Holy Family Parish in Decatur.

 

Her Dominican sisters along with students, staff and parishioners, she says, “have shown me the face of Christ in various ways ... It is truly a joy to minister with and for God’s family.”

 

25 years

Sister Mary Jo Sobieck, OP

 

Sister Mary Jo Sobieck, OP, made her professions of vows as a Springfield Dominican on Aug. 9, 1996.

Her education includes a Masters of Theology-Systematic Theology from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn.

 

In the Diocese of Rockford, Sister Mary Jo served as a third grade teacher at Holy Angels School in Aurora (1996-1999).

 

She also has served as a teacher or tutor in Springfield and Chicago Heights, Ill., and in Duluth, Minn. Currently she is studying the Spanish language and culture in Tucson, Ariz.

 

She says that, “If you feel the call to give of yourself to God and God’s people, it’s because you have gifts our world needs. Take it seriously and pray for the grace to hear and respond with openness and trust. There is something meant only for YOU to be and do. Don’t underestimate the activity of God’s Spirit working in and through you to make the difference we’ve all been waiting for. The Church needs you! The world needs you! ... It’s a great adventure ...”

 

School Sisters of St. Francis

 

70 years

Sister Patricia Derfus, SSSF

 

Sister Patricia Derfus celebrates 70 years as a School Sister of St. Francis this year.

 

Born in Kaukauna, Wis., her education includes a bachelor’s in elementary education from Alverno College in Milwaukee and a masters in theology from the University of Detroit Mercy.

 

In the Diocese of Rockford, Sister Patricia taught at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Aurora (1954-1959).

 

She also served as a religious education consultant for the Diocese of Green Bay, and taught in schools in Milwaukee, West Allis, South Milwaukee, Wis. Sister Patricia also served her religious community as an administrative secretary, in personal services and later as a volunteer at Maryhill Retirement Center and Ascension Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Hospital in Milwaukee.

 

Sister Patricia now serves in the ministry of prayer and presence at Sacred Heart.

 

70 years

Sister Angeline Kieler, SSSF

 

Sister Angeline celebrates 70 years as a School Sister of St. Francis this year.

 

She was born in Kieler, Wis., her education includes a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Alverno College in Milwaukee and a master’s in pastoral studies from Loyola University in Chicago.

 

In the Diocese of Rockford, Sister Angeline taught at Holy Cross School in Stockton (1956-1957), Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Aurora (1977-1978), and served as principal at St. John the Baptist School in Johnsburg (1984-1988). 

 

She also taught in schools in the Diocese of Joliet, the Diocese of Springfield, and the Diocese of Madison.

 

Sister Angeline now serves in the ministry of prayer and presence in Milwaukee.

 

70 years

Sister Julia Rice, SSSF

 

Sister Julia Rice celebrates 70 years as a School Sister of St. Francis.

 

She was born in Milwaukee and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Alverno College in Milwaukee and a master’s in English and in religious education and pastoral ministry from Loyola University in Chicago. She also holds a Juris Doctor degree from Northern Illinois University at DeKalb.    

 

In the Diocese of Rockford, Sister Julia taught at Madonna High School in Aurora (1958-1962, 1964-1965, and 1966-1969), Mount St. Francis High School in Rockford (1962-1964), Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford (1964), and at Central High School in Aurora (1969-1972). 

 

In the Diocese of Joliet, she served at Lewis University in Glen Ellyn. Early on she taught and much later was an attorney in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

 

She also taught in the Archdiocese of Omaha, was a campus minister in the Diocese of Cleveland and assisted her congregation’s International Office of Mission Advancement in Milwaukee.

 

Since 2011, Sister Julia has served as a volunteer driver for her congregation.

 

70 years

Sister Barbara Rowan, SSSF

 

Sister Barbara Rowan celebrates 70 years this year as a School Sister of St. Francis.

 

She was born in Racine, Wis.  Her education includes a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Alverno College in Milwaukee and a master’s in education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

 

In the Diocese of Rockford, Sister Barbara taught at St. Mary School in McHenry (1955-62), where she also served as a tutor (1957-1958, 1960-1962) and seamstress (1959). She also was a catechist at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Hanover (1962). 

 

She also taught in the archdioceses of Chicago and Milwaukee and the Diocese of Joliet.

 

She was a volunteer at Montini High School in Lombard (2011-2020), where she continues to reside.

 

60 years

Sister Louise K. Bernier, SSSF

 

Sister Louise Bernier celebrates 60 years as a School Sister of St. Francis.

 

Sister Louise was born in Washington, D.C. She received a bachelor’s degree in history from Alverno College in Milwaukee and a master’s in sociology from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

 

In the Diocese of Rockford, Sister Louise taught in Aurora at Our Lady of Good Counsel School (1964-1965) and Madonna High School (1965-1968 and 1969-1972).  

 

In the Diocese of Joliet, she taught at the high school and college levels. She served in Wheaton as manager of the Child Support Division of the DuPage County Clerk’s Office (1977-1992) and as supervising clerk for the 18th Judicial Circuit Court (1992-2004), where she also served as business analyst (2014 to 2019). Sister Louise continues to reside in Wheaton.