Margaret Rose Donnelly, SSND
Professed in 1958

Sister Margaret Rose Donnelly celebrates 50 years as a School Sister of Notre Dame. She has ministered as a teacher, provincial/regional leader and pastoral associate.

A meaningful time in my ministry…
For the past 24 years I have been a pastoral associate at two Indiana parishes. On one occasion I had an opportunity to baptize an elderly man shortly before he passed away. My nine years in provincial and regional leadership working with my SSND Sisters and pastors was a very meaningful part of my life. I received so much more than I gave. I love pastoral work and find it very rewarding.

What drew you to the SSND Community?
I knew that I wanted to be a sister from the time of my first Communion. I met the SSNDs in high school and the gentle presence of Sister Mary Ellen Stranger and a few others at St. Anthony’s High School in Detroit drew me to SSND.

What has it meant to you to be a sister through the years?
It is a wonderful life. It is for me and I cannot imagine myself outside of religious life. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

What would you like people to know about the School Sisters of Notre Dame?
We are a great bunch of women who pray, work and enjoy life together as we are sent to make Jesus present in the world today.

What words of encouragement would you offer to a woman exploring the possibility of religious life?
Come and see, do not be afraid, it is a wonderful life, so very rewarding.

What is your current ministry?
I am Pastoral Associate at St. Mary’s in Decatur and have served here for 12 years. My main areas of responsibility are the parish RCIA process of which I am the director. I work with Father Dave, my pastor, co-ordinate of the RCIA team. I am responsible for ministry to the sick and elderly at home, hospital and nursing home. I train and work with Eucharistic ministers. The area of bereavement is my third major area of concern. This entails wakes, funeral prep and a monthly bereavement group.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with people about your life?
Religious life as an SSND is the life for me…I am very happy here is Decatur and receive much love and support from my parish family. They are family to me and I feel a part of so many families. At age 73, I am looking to life at a slower pace and have advised my pastor that I would like to just work part time next year. I recently had a knee replacement surgery in Ft. Wayne.

 

 

 

 

 

Sister’s missions:
St. Michael, Chicago, IL, 1960-1963
St. Mary, Grand Rapids, MI, 1963-1968
West Catholic High School, Grand Rapids, MI, 1968-1974
St. Mary, Detroit, MI, 1974-1975
Notre Dame of the Lake, Mequon, WI, 1975-1983
Marygrove College, MI, 1983-1984
Sacred Heart Seminary, MI, 1983-1984
All Saints Parish, Logansport, IN, 1984-1996
St. Mary Parish, Decatur, IN, 1996-Present