Jubilarian – 2009
Mary De Paul Olszewski, SSND
Professed in 1939
Sister Mary De Paul Olszewski celebrates 70 years as a School Sister of Notre Dame. She ministered as a teacher and school administrator.
A meaningful time in my ministry…
I started out teaching primary grades, then gradually moved up the grades, and eventually became an eighth grade teacher and principal. I loved telling jokes to the children. We often took her students on excursions. On one occasion I took a group of 30 eighth-graders to a museum. The curator wasn’t going to let them in because the only chaperones were the bus driver and me. I finally convinced the curator that I would keep the children under control. When they were leaving, the curator told me that in all his many years at the museum he had never seen students as well-behaved as this group.
What drew you to the SSND Community?
I loved being around the sisters, but “there was no thinking about going to the convent, I was having too much fun.”
What would you like people today to know about the School Sisters of Notre Dame?
The School Sisters of Notre Dame are for the world – for making the world a better place. Also, I want people to know about life here at Notre Dame of Elm Grove. I love the concern for others that is always shown by the lay staff serving the sisters.
What is your current ministry?
I try to find kindness in people. I tell myself: God made this person. There is a lot of good in her, and I better try to find it because God doesn’t make junk. I feel that this will be a better world because I lived in it. I’ve always tried to help in some way.”
Is there anything else that you would like to share?
As a child, I lived in Michigan City, Indiana, a city that is located on the border between Michigan and Indiana. My friend and I used to go to the line where the two states met, stand with one foot in each state, and just giggle.
Sister Mary De Paul’s missions:
St. Casimir, Milwaukee, Wis.
St. Paul, Chicago, Ill.
St. Mary, Fort Wayne, Ind.
St. Cyril and Methodius, Milwaukee, Wis.
St. John Cantius, Chicago, Ill.
St. Joseph, West Allis, Wis.
St. Henry, Rosebush, Mich.
St. Mary, Grand Rapids, Mich.
St. Isidore, Grand Rapids, Mich.
St. Joseph, Logansport, Ind.
St. Stanislaus, Michigan City, Ind.
Visitation, Miami, Fla.
St. Peter and Paul, Merrillville, Ind.
St. Adalbert, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis.
How to Reach Jubilarians
Cards and letters may be addressed to:
Sister's name c/o SSND Jubilarians, Provincial Offices, 13105 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove, WI 53122-2291.
If you would like to honor sister with a tribute gift, please click HERE.