2008 Jubilarians

Helen Siwicki, SSND
(Previous religious name: Sister Lucius)
Professed in 1938

Sister Helen Siwicki celebrates 70 years as a School Sister of Notre Dame. She has ministered as a teacher, pastoral minister, home health aide and volunteer. Sister retired in 1998 and currently ministers through her prayer and presence.

A meaningful time in my ministry…
In the fall of 1975, I was sent to Sts. Peter & Paul Parish in Huntington, IN. I dearly loved this mission. For the first time in my teaching career, my class load was smaller. The average size of my classes was between 55 and 65. I found these country students very eager to learn. I gained many excellent ideas from observing other good teachers on my free days. Now I could share my acquired ideas with my new lovely small class of 32 students.

My time spent at Maria Shelter, a transitional shelter for women and children and Casa Notre Dame in Chicago was a meaningful ministry time. The experience helped me to face the reality of poverty in our inner cities and to allow God to touch me deeply through it. I learned what it meant that Jesus Christ was sent to bring Good News to the poor.

What drew you to the SSND Community?
When I was in fourth grade, I did little errands for the sisters. I asked my mother if I could work in church with the sisters after school and on Saturdays. My mother responded positively. I loved helping the sisters especially in church. I enjoyed taking the purificators to the rectory for their first washing. The pastor would inevitably say “Oh, Here is Sister Helen.” I just loved hearing being called Sister Helen. It eventually drew me to be a sister.

What has it meant to you to be a sister through the years?
Reading the lives of different saints, especially the life of St. Theresa – I too wanted to become a saint. I wanted to follow Jesus – to be His disciple. In the convent, I found that to be a sister was a life time task, but no matter how difficult the task, the situation, the relationship, I prayed and in time it was healed and I was not concerned. There also are many joys that I experienced in community, like friendship, trust, transformation and solidarity.

What would you like people to know about the School Sisters of Notre Dame?
The gifts of experience came my way because of community oneness. Current life satisfaction, deeper prayer life, life meaning, spirituality, holy connectedness, the Trinity alive in the center of our being, reverencing each sister because of the tremendous power she carries, knowing her true self and false self. I’ve been blessed with the task to ever grow in acting justly, loving tenderly and walking humbly before my God.

What words of encouragement or wisdom would you offer to a woman exploring the possibility of a vocation as a woman religious?
Fan into flame the attributes received at Baptism – namely through prayer, scripture, contemplation, spiritual reading, reflection and joy, peace and love.

What is your current ministry?
I am retired. I follow Fr. Keating’s method of centering our contemplation. I attend St. John Vianney centering group of prayer. There are ten of us who meet twice a month and discuss Mr. Eckhart’s works of spirituality. I also meet with an SSND Associate with whom I exchange insights on our work of justice, peace, love and joy. Any Associate is welcome to learn Fr. Keating’s method of contemplative prayer by a call and making an appointment.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with people about your life?
After prayer, scripture of the day and 20 minutes of contemplative prayer – take God with you into the crowds and the rat race of the secular world. Learn from God everything that happens. Walk with the Trinity that dwells deep in the center of your being and do not be concerned….just be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Sister’s missions:
St. Leo, Milwaukee, WI, 1936-1937
St. Joseph, Milwaukee, WI, 1938-1952
St. James, Madison, WI, 1952-1955
St. Stanislaus, Milwaukee, WI, 1955-1960
St. Isidore, Grand Rapids, MI, 1960-1964
Holy Angels, Gary, IN, 1964-1968
Sacred Heart, Grand Rapids, MI, 1968-1975
St. Peter and Paul, Huntington, IN, 1975-1978
Notre Dame of the Lake, Mequon, WI, 1978-1979
Student, St Joseph Hospital, Chicago, IL, 1979-1981
Independent Services, Milwaukee, WI, 1981-1986
Quality Care, Milwaukee, WI, 1986-1991
Notre Dame Health Care Center, Elm Grove, WI, 1991-1993
Independent Services, Milwaukee, WI, 1993-1998
Retired, Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, WI, 1998-Present