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Community Corner

Change of Habit: Dominican Sisters at Home at St. Dominic

The United States Catholic Bishops sent two nuns to St. Dominic School in Bolingbrook last year. The results have been noteworthy.

Sisters John Mary Fleming and John Agnes Suh keep an arduous schedule.

They wake up every morning at 5 a.m. to meditate. Shortly thereafter, they attend mass together.

And then, they go to work. Again, together.

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The United States Catholic Bishops sent the two to in Bolingbrook last year. They had previously served in Nashville.

Fleming, a seasoned educator with 23 years of administrative experience, was sent to become the school’s principal and Suh a second grade teacher.

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Nuns across the country are assuming roles as administrators and teachers in parochial schools.

But they’re not exactly yours or your parents’ stereotype—armed with rulers and harsh attitudes.

Instead, these nuns are here to maintain school programs that are designed to make a student’s faith come alive— Catholics believe parochial schools provide a unique setting to rich in learning experiences that foster that goal.

Catholic schools are one of the last formal ways in which the history, traditions, experiences and the teachings of the Catholic church can be consciously and effectively preserved, celebrated and promoted among youth.

Both women have unselfishly committed to utilizing their ministry of education to instill a sense of reverence in the learning process and the faith.

Both reside in a Joliet convent at St. Jude’s Church, where three other nuns from their Nashville home also live, and make the daily drive to Bolingbrook.

As a rule, the nuns are assigned to schools in pairs, rendering a built-in support network that helps each in the completion of their assignment.

"It’s a wonderful gift, in our world, living in common with people who have very similar ideals and goals, " Fleming said.

The reappearance of nuns in the educational system represents an opportunity to provide sufficient religious formation for children.

"This is not the first time sisters have taught at St. Dominic School,” said Father Herb Essig, the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi. “Years ago, Lemont Fransciscian sisters from Christ the King were here."

"(Fleming and Suh) are widely known for their level of education and devotion to teaching children at different schools around the United States,” Essig said.

The parents are happy, too.

"We love the school and its so neat to have nuns on our staff,” said Liza Farrell, a parent at St. Dominic. “This past year has been pretty exciting for the parish. I think we are very lucky to have them."

 

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