Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

From the

Official News Magazine of the Diocese of Spokane

(From the Oct. 2, 2008 edition of the Inland Register)

The Mankato Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) recently celebrated the jubilees of 37 sisters at a special Mass during their Province Days weekend. Among those honored were three Sisters with ties to the Spokane Diocese: Sisters M. Celeste Glovka, Virginia Bieren and M. Rose Anthony Krebs.

Sister M. Celeste Glovka (75 years) was born in Windom, Minn., and raised in Mankato, Minn. Following graduation from Our Lady of Good Counsel Academy in Mankato, she entered the candidature at the SSND convent in Mankato. Sister Celeste made her first profession of vows on Aug. 9, 1933.

Sister Celeste was a teacher for primary through junior high students at parish schools in Minnesota, Washington, Iowa and North Dakota, and also served as a school administrator. She taught for 28 years in the Spokane Diocese: from 1936-1944 at St. Joseph in Spokane, from 1944-1945 at Christ the King in Omak, from 1951-1961 at Holy Family in Clarkston, from 1972-1975 at Guardian Angel-St. Boniface in Colton, and from 1975-1981 at Trinity School in Spokane.

Summers were often spent in Washington attending retreats and summer school, and staffing a summer camp for girls. Sister Celeste also spent a summer in the Appalachia area of Kentucky teaching Bible studies.

During her teaching years, Sister Celeste earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science from Holy Names College in Spokane, and a Master of Arts degree in Education from Gonzaga University in Spokane.

In 1981 Sister Celeste changed from full-time teacher to being a learning center aide and librarian. She became a parish visitor in 1989 and then moved back to the SSND Provincial House in Mankato to the ministry of community service. Since 2002 Sister Celeste has served in the ministry of prayer and presence.

Sister Virginia Bieren (50 years) is a native of Clarkston, Wash., where her family belonged to Holy Family Church. She and her siblings all attended the parish school. She continued to be taught by School Sisters of Notre Dame while attending Notre Dame Academy in Colton, Wash., and entered the candidature at the SSND convent in Mankato, Minn., after graduation. Sister Virginia made her first profession of vows on July 17, 1958.

She began her teaching career in 1959. She served as a teacher and school administrator in parish schools in North Dakota, Washington and Minnesota. From 1962-1969 Sister Virginia was assigned to Holy Family School in Clarkston, and to St. Mary School in Chewelah, Wash.

Sister Virginia also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, Wis., and a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education Administration from Gonzaga University, Spokane.

Following her years in Washington, Sister Virginia continued to serve as a teacher and administrator in schools in North Dakota and Minnesota until 1989, when she became the Development Director for the Mankato Province of SSND. Her ministry in development continued for schools and religious communities, and since 2005 she has been Development Associate for the St. Paul Priory of the Order of St. Benedict in St. Paul.

Sister M. Rose Anthony Krebs (50 years) was born in New England, N.D., where she attended St. Mary School. Following graduation, she entered the SSND candidature at the convent in Mankato and made her first profession on July 17, 1958.

During her 45 years in education, Sister Rose Anthony taught primary grades in Minnesota and Washington, and spent nine of those years as a missionary in Kenya. She would also write short musical plays for her students and play guitar.

From 1975-1981 Sister Rose Anthony served as a primary grade teacher at Trinity School, Spokane. In 1977 she received a first place award from the diocese for the most unique teaching unit for religion class. She also served as organist and in the guitar groups at St. Joseph and St. Anthony parishes in Spokane.

Sister Rose Anthony holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, Wis., and a Master of Arts degree in Education from Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, Wis.

Since she has been the director of craft activities and assistant sacristan at the SSND Provincial House in Mankato.

The Mankato Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame is part of a world-wide congregation of nearly 4000 vowed women religious celebrating 175 years of education ministry. Their mission is to transform the world through education, to help people reach the fullness of their potential. They are passionate in their ministry of education as teachers, missionaries, social and parish workers, and justice and peace advocates.