Photo Caption: Members of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the founding religious community for Catholic secondary education in Peoria, were guests of honor at the April 19 Mass.

By: By Tom Dermody, The Catholic Post

It’s been 35 years since Sister Fran Maher, CSJ, taught algebra at the former Academy of Our Lady/Spalding Institute in Peoria. But some lessons last a lifetime.

“Judy Sherman remembered me from freshman algebra,” said Sister Fran, one of seven Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who were guests of honor at an all-school Mass at Peoria Notre Dame High School on April 19. When Sherman, now a theology teacher at Peoria Notre Dame, excitedly greeted Sister Fran last week, she quoted back to her former teacher a saying often heard in that class.

“Think, think, think, children of God.”

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet have encouraged academic and spiritual thought and growth throughout 150 years of Catholic secondary education in Peoria. And so it was fitting that the religious community was specially celebrated and thanked at the beginning of a series of anniversary celebrations planned by Peoria Notre Dame.

“It was on this day 150 years ago that the Sisters arrived in Peoria,” said Msgr. Mark Merdian, president of Peoria Notre Dame, in welcoming remarks prior to the Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, in the school gym.

“We are honored by your presence,” he said to the group of Sisters, which included former teachers, former students who entered the religious community, and Sister Margaret Schulz, CSJ, current assistant principal.

“We have much for which to thank you,” said Msgr. Merdian. Looking around a gym filled with 800 present-day students, he added “And your legacy continues.”

In his homily, Bishop Jenky said that when the Sisters came to Peoria in 1863 to educate future generations they “came most of all to introduce students to God.” Peoria Notre Dame, he said, like its predecessors — including the Academy of Our Lady, Spalding Institute, and Bergan High School — “exists to introduce people to almighty God.”

He thanked not only the Sisters of St. Joseph but all religious communities, diocesan priests, and lay staff members who have contributed to the schools throughout the years.

EVENTS CONTINUE THROUGH LABOR DAY
In addition to the 150-year anniversary, the coming year also marks Peoria Notre Dame’s 25th year of existence. An all-school, all-alumni reunion took place in the school’s commons later that evening.

The anniversary celebrations continue through Labor Day, capped by a Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on Aug. 31. Details on coming events can be found online at peorianotredame.com/150 years.
Meanwhile, historical information and memorabilia are on display at the Spalding Pastoral Center Museum.

Last Friday, though, it was living history with the presence of the Sisters.

“It’s great to come back to Peoria,” said Sister Audrey Olson, CSJ, a member of the Academy of Our Lady’s Class of 1946 who was one of three to enter the community from that class. Her vocation has been a fruitful one, with teaching assignments and pioneer service in the area of social justice.

Recalling the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who taught her, she asked “What could I do but enter that community? I’ve never regretted it.”

Other Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in attendance included Sister Ann Pace (formerly Sister David Louise), who taught French and Spanish at the Academy from 1962 to 1966; Sister Marjorie Quin, a member of the Academy’s Class of 1943; Sister Bonnie Murray (formerly Sister Ann Murray), who taught music at the Academy from 1967 to 1976; and Sister Ellen James, who taught at the former St. Cecilia’s School and helped with music at AOL/Spalding.

The Mass opened with a procession of banners representing the various “houses” that break Peoria Notre Dame’s 800 students into smaller communities. Leading the way was one bearing the shield of “Carondelet.”

At the close of Mass, Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis read a proclamation declaring April 19 as “Catholic Secondary Education Day” in Peoria.