Jubilarians

Picture of Sister Frances Mary

Margaret A. Elsen, SSND
(Previous religious name: Sister Robert Marie)
Professed in 1948

Sister Margaret A. Elsen celebrates 60 years as a School Sister of Notre Dame. She has ministered as a teacher, campus minister, pastoral associate, tribunal staff member, switchboard operator/receptionist and volunteer. Sister retired in 2007 and currently ministers through her prayer and presence.

A meaningful time in my ministry…
Helping start the Search program in Milwaukee for high school students was significant. I was amazed how these teens took to talking about Jesus and what He did in their lives. Later, this was replicated at UW Stevens Point and NMSU at the Newman Centers.

What drew you to the SSND Community?
Though I intended to go to Marquette for nursing, two of my senior teachers at Messmer (through their example) led me to think and pray about religious life.

What has it meant to you to be a sister through the years?
Wherever I taught or served, people have opened their arms and homes, so I have a beautifully large extended family. This means a lot to me.

What would you like people to know about the School Sisters of Notre Dame?
As educators in the broadest sense, we can and are helping to change the world for women and children.

What words of encouragement would you offer to a woman exploring the possibility of religious life?
Let go! Let God!

What is your current ministry?
After 45 years of teaching in junior and senior high, college and university, plus parish ministry and campus ministry, I worked the switchboard at NDEG for ten years. Now retired, I can volunteer for the later department and help elsewhere.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with people about your life?
I have been so blessed by the people I have met and loved these many years. Living in various sections of our country and traveling to Italy, Germany, and the Holy Land have taught me lessons I could never get from a book. God is generous.

Sister’s missions:
St. Patrick, Menasha, WI, 1946-1947
St. Peter, Beaver Dam, WI, 1948-1953
St. Anne, Milwaukee, WI, 1953-1960
Messmer High School, Milwaukee, WI, 1960-1961
Catholic University of America, DC, 1961-1963
Fordham University, NY, 1963-1963
Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, WI, 1963-1965
St. Henry, Rosebush, MI, 01/1966 - 08/1966
Messmer High School, Milwaukee, WI, 1966-1968
Wisconsin State University, Stevens Point, WI, 1968-1973
Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI, 1973-1976
University of Albuquerque, Albuquerque, NM, 1976-1977
Eastern New Mexico University, NM, 1978-1979
Diocese of Saginaw, Saginaw, MI, 1979-1981
McHenry Community College, Crystal Lake, IL, 1982-1989
Divine Word College, Epworth, IA, 1989-1992
Clarke College, Dubuque, IA, 1990-1992
St. Mary, Algoma, WI, 1993-1995
Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, WI, 1995-2005
Retired, Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, WI, 2007-Present