2008 Jubilarians

Audrey Straub, SSND
(Previous religious name: Sister Paul Vincent)
Professed in 1948

Sister Audrey Straub celebrates 60 years as a School Sister of Notre Dame. She has ministered as a teacher, principal, administrator and marriage tribunal advocate. Sister retired in 2005 and currently ministers through her prayer and presence and numerous volunteer activities.

A meaningful time in my ministry…
As I review my years of teaching, I will always remember the very early years when I had large classes of children whom I prepared for First Holy Communion. The children were so devout and sincere, and would speak of what they told Jesus. I have never forgotten the love they had for Jesus and how they spoke to Him. I learned much. Then in later years, when I changed ministries, and began working in the marriage tribunal, it was overwhelming when I heard the difficulties many people experienced, because of poor decisions in marrying, or lack of understanding of what marriage should or ought to be. I have been blessed, in that I was able to assist many in their return to the sacraments.

What drew you to the SSND Community?
The very first thing that attracted me to religious life was the sister I had in the first four grades of elementary school at St. Kilian. The convent was connected with the two room school and I could always see and still do remember the beautiful smile and eyes downcast of Sister Josella Merkel as she approached the classroom. I just knew she was speaking to or thinking of Jesus as she walked to the classroom. Then, the very fervent and devout parents who raised six of us left a profound impression on me.

What has it meant to you to be a sister through the years?
It has been a great privilege for me to belong to the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Their magnificent history of courage, suffering and willingness to participate in the education of peoples all over the world continues to make me ever grateful that we are one. I thank God each day for my vocation and the blessing of all the sisters who have touched my life and made me a better person.

What would you like people to know about the School Sisters of Notre Dame?
One of the major issues of these times refers to peace and justice matters. To have a special office in each province which keeps the sisters around the world familiar with such things as trafficking of women and children around the world, the injustices and poverty of African countries, and earth warming, are a few of the happenings which the sisters are trying to remedy and inform people of. All this is education.

What words of encouragement or wisdom would you offer to a woman exploring the possibility of a vocation as a woman religious?
I would like to help anyone entering our community to understand the importance of prayer and union God as the basis of all that we do. Subsequently, I would stress the importance of our mission in the world and how we approach the various forms of our apostolate.

What is your current ministry?
I am retired for health reasons, however, the importance of prayer is first and foremost in my life, and then I continue to help others by various assigned and voluntary duties, such as distributing mail and laundry, accompanying sisters to the doctor, while I continue to do various tribunal tasks for the Archdioceses of Milwaukee and Chicago by mail or occasional trips to Chicago.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with people about your life?
My years of religious life have been very happy years, however, that does not mean that there were no crosses or difficulties. The presence of God in my life has always made the burdens a blessing.

Sister’s missions:
St. Anne, Milwaukee, WI, 1946-1947
St. Peter and Paul, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 1948-1951
Christ King, Wauwatosa, WI, 1951-1961
St. Louis, Besancon-New Ha, IN, 1961-1963
St. John De La Salle, Chicago, IL, 1963-1964
St. Stephen, Stevens Point, WI, 1964-1969
St. Stephen, Stevens Point, WI, 1964-1969
Student, Mt. Angel College, OR, 1969-1969
Notre Dame Health Care Center, Elm Grove, WI, 1969-1971
Holy Angels, West Bend, WI, 1971-1978
Student, Marquette University, WI, 1978-1980
Diocese of Rockford, Rockford, IL, 1980-1983
Student, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., 1983-1985
Diocese of Rockford, Rockford, IL, 1985-2005
Retired, Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, WI, 2005-Present