Among Dominican Sisters of Peace, the word “retirement” is almost a joke. There is no time for sitting still. The needs of God’s people never end, and neither does the desire of our sisters to serve.
Sr. Jane Belanger, former director at Heartland Farm at Pawnee Rock, Kansas, saw retirement this way, “I could retire and go to the Motherhouse or…I could just shift my job description and find a way to stay active.” So, she shifted. “Now I can reflect on the ‘why’ of an ecology ministry while living more or less unencumbered by a schedule.” This means Sr. Jane takes part in things like the Land Justice Committee, spends time on research, and still attends to fix-it projects and cares for the alpacas’ teeth at the farm!
In Louisiana, you won’t find Sr. Michaeline Green slowing down either. She served more than 30 years as superintendent of Baton Rouge schools and was known for championing Catholic education. You can still find her in Louisiana Catholic parishes and schools doing things she loves – lending a hand with scripting and costume-making at student pageants and guiding adult students in religion classes toward living faith-filled lives. She is always standing by for a little extra counseling and a few hugs with her former students, too!
Just outside of Bardstown, Kentucky, you’ll find an 85-year-old retired sister who drives herself to school for her librarian job.“I’ve never liked the idea of retirement,” says Sr. Rosemary Rule. Twice a week she is at St. Gregory Elementary reading to children who consider her “something like an extra grandmother.” She adds, “These days, it can get strenuous with the books - bending and lifting, but the kids help me with the heavy work. Every year they ask if I’m coming back - and I keep saying yes!”
Back in Columbus, Ohio, the work continues. You’ll find Sr. Shawn Fitzpatrick, former director of the Dominican Learning Center, tutoring adults at her Mohun Health Care Center residence. “After I retired, one student told me - ‘I’m following you. Wherever you are going, I will get there.’”
Former Our Lady of the Elms teacher Sr. Maura Bartel tutors and attends Mass with children at a Columbus parochial school.“The children get a little extra push and support during tutoring. And they will eat out of your hand; the children are hungry for attention.”
Sr. Maura hangs on to the notes they give her; she keeps this one in her pocket: “Thank you for your love.” It is the best way to see the difference that she makes in a child’s life.
This is the same love that all our sisters – retired and in active ministry – continue to pour out to others across the nation, every day.