2008 Jubilarians

Mary Joyce Merten, SSND
Professed in 1948

Sister Mary Joyce Merten celebrates 60 years as a School Sister of Notre Dame. She has ministered as a teacher, educational administrator, and pastoral associate.

A meaningful time in my ministry…
From age 33 to 44, I served on Guam. Living in a different culture was a terrific experience which I greatly loved and treasure to this day. Guam’s beauty touched me deeply. A great joy was studying marine biology and getting a Master’s in it. I loved it. While there, I had several NSF grants, one of which was six weeks in Japan. The students and sisters (all people) were wonderful. In 1989 I received a complete scholarship from Marquette University to pursue a Ph.D. in counseling and anthropology. That opened many doors for me. I was thrilled to receive a leadership award from the university when I graduated.

What drew you to the SSND Community?
The sisters I had in grade school and high school at St. Mary’s in Burlington, Wisconsin were very special. Sister Ignace and Sister Augustine were principals and Sister Estelle and Sister Madeline Sophia were great teachers. Sister Estelle had us make a vocation scrapbook as seniors and I won first place in the diocese. I was very happy about that.

What has it meant to you to be a sister through the years?
I have loved being a sister. I felt God’s will and responded heart and soul. I have felt God’s blessings through the years. Whatever I do, I do with dedication. I’ve always felt loved and I’ve enjoyed my companion sisters and students. I thank God that I am a sister – especially an SSND.

What would you like people to know about the School Sisters of Notre Dame?
We have a strong spiritual foundation based on Our Blessed Mother, the Holy Eucharist, unity and community. We believe in the charism of our foundress, Mother Theresa of Jesus. We are a prayerful, contemplative order.

What words of encouragement or wisdom would you offer to a woman exploring the possibility of a vocation as a woman religious?
Walk in faith. Live the present completely and whole heartedly. Remember the past and learn from it. Have a vision of the future but do live your life fully. God is there supporting you. If fear controls you, you are missing the great things of life. Embrace each day!

What is your current ministry?
After 51 years in education (actually 52, as I taught while a candidate) I am presently a pastoral associate at St. Mary’s Burlington. My work is with the ministry to the sick, hospitalized, nursing homes, assisted living, homebound, etc. We have weekly communion services several places and also take communion to the homebound.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with people about your life?
St. Mary’s Burlington is my home parish. I graduated from grade school, high school and then taught in the high school from 1972–1976. I love my ministry and I thank God that I can do this work for Him. I thank God for His great goodness in placing me in community with the SSNDs. We have so many interesting people, sisters who are really holy and who have dedicated their lives to God. I think if we look back at all the laughter we’ve experienced through the years we will realize the great joy being a sister can be. Give it your whole mind, your whole soul, your whole being and God is there. Rough days there will be but God who stilled the waters is always there with you.

Sister’s missions:
Our Lady of Lourdes, Marinette, WI, 1946-1947
St. John Nepomucene, Prairie du Chie, WI, 1948-1959
St. Mary, DePere, WI, 1959-1961
San Vicente, Barrigada, Guam, 1961-1968
Notre Dame High School, Talofofo, Guam, 1968-1972
St. Mary, Burlington, WI, 1972-1976
Messmer High School, Milwaukee, WI, 1976-1982
Notre Dame High, Milwaukee, WI, 1982-1989
Student, Marquette University, WI, 1989-1989
Research/Teaching Assistant, Marquette University,
   Milwaukee, WI, 1989-1992
St. Augustine, Milwaukee, WI, 1992-1995
Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 1992-1999
Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, WI, 1993-1998
Parish, St. Mary, Burlington, WI, 1999-Present