50th Entrance
Sister Joanne Dress
Birthplace: Philadelphia
Entrance: 1949
Education: Bachelor’s in art and teacher certification (N-6), Marymount Manhattan College, N.Y., 1973
Master’s of theology, Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn., 1983
Spanish language study certificate, Maryknoll Language Institute, Cochabamba, Bolivia, 1994
Certificate in Catholic social teachings, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., 2011
Service in the archdiocese: Daughters of Charity Provincial Sponsored Works Coordinator, St. Louis, 2017-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Education ministry in New York, Delaware and New Jersey
Pastoral ministry in Brooklyn, N.Y., Elizabeth, N.J., and Harlem, N.Y.
Case manager and director of Catholic Charities of Orange and Sullivan Co., N.Y
CEO and executive VP of Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County, N.Y.
Executive director of Catholic Social Services, Diocese of Trenton, N.J.
About Sister Joanne Dress: Sister Joanne grew up in Philadelphia, the third of five children. She met the Daughters of Charity while teaching art at the diocesan camp where the children of St. Joseph Gonzaga Home for Children in Pennsylvania were attending. She was inspired by the Daughters of Charity dedication to the service of those who were marginalized and their strong sense of community, as together they serve those living in poverty. She entered the Daughters of Charity in 1969 in Emmitsburg, Md.
60th Entrance
Sister Judith Bright
Birth name: Judith Marie
Birthplace: St. Louis
Entrance: 1959
Education: Associate’s degree, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1963
Bachelor’s in social work, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1972
Master’s in social work, Tulane University, New Orleans, 1980
Service in the archdiocese: Guardian Angel Settlement Association, St. Louis, 1970-72
Service outside the archdiocese: Education ministry in California
Social work ministry in Chicago, Wisconsin and Louisiana
Pastoral ministry, human resources and mission coordinator in New Orleans
Administration at Seton Residence in Evansville, Ind.
About Sister Judith Bright: The younger of two, I attended St. Wenceslaus Grade School and St. Francis de Sales High School in St. Louis. I entered the Daughters of Charity in St. Louis, greatly influenced by the Daughters of Charity at Guardian Angel Settlement who worked so caringly with the poor. I am currently serving the retired Sisters at Seton Residence in Evansville, Ind. I have loved all my ministries, especially in the children’s homes and the various opportunities of serving the poor in New Orleans in various capacities. “I am grateful to God for the blessing now of serving my role models of charity and being blessed in return by God’s chosen Servants of the Poor.
Sister Rita Downey
Birth name: Rita Ann
Birthplace: Keokuk, Iowa
Entrance: 1959
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1963
Master’s in education, Loyola University, New Orleans, 1970
Service in the archdiocese: Daughter of Charity Provincial Secretary, St. Louis, 1990-2007
Administrative assistant, Marygrove, Florissant, 2008-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Education ministry in Louisiana, Texas, West Plains, Mo., and Iowa
About Sister Rita Downey: I was the third of seven children born to Mary and Bernard Downey. My ministries were in elementary education as teacher and administrator, before serving as provincial secretary in the former St. Louis Province. The 11 years I spent as administrative assistant at Marygrove have given me new insights into the social work field. I enjoy supporting our St. Louis Cardinals.
Sister Julia Huiskamp
Birthplace: Keokuk, Iowa
Entrance: 1959
Education: Bachelor’s in political science, Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, Purchase, N.Y., 1957
Master’s of social work, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, 1967
Service in the archdiocese: Elementary teacher at St. Patrick School, St. Louis, 1963-65
Social worker, Roosevelt Center and Griffin Center, East St. Louis, Ill., 1985-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Education ministry in Utah
Social work ministry in Chicago
About Sister Julia Huiskamp: I am the eldest of four children, attended public school in Keokuk, Iowa, and graduated from Keokuk Senior High School. I met the Daughters of Charity mainly through my mother, who was a Lady of Charity. Social and political advocacy for the poor has always been part of my social work practice, a ministry encouraged by my studies at Saint Louis University where I earned my MSW in group work. I enjoy gardening and photography.
Sister Cecile Matushek
Birthplace: Chicago
Entrance: 1959
Education: Bachelor’s in English and Latin, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1963
Master’s in elementary school administration, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, 1977
Master’s in pastoral studies, Loyola University, New Orleans, 1990
Service in the archdiocese: Elementary teacher and principal, Central Catholic Community School, St. Patrick School, St. Louis, 1973-80
Primary teacher, St. Boniface School, Perryville, 1963-68
Guardian Angel Settlement Board, St. Louis, 1975-81
Principal, St. Paul the Apostle School, St. Louis, 1980-83
Elementary principal, St. Boniface School, Perryville, 1983-88
Ministry of prayer and gift shop volunteer, The Sarah Community, Bridgeton
Service outside the archdiocese: Education and administration ministry in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas
About Sister Cecile Matushek: Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Sister Cecile was the fourth of five children. She was drawn to the Daughters of Charity because the Daughters, she says, “offered many opportunities in which to serve the poor.” After serving 20 years as an elementary teacher and principal, Sister Cecile was missioned to Waco, Texas, where she served in administration at Providence Healthcare Network. She also trained and served as a doula, and today says, “I feel extremely blessed to have held the hands of many young women and to have witnessed the first breath of a newborn.” Although nearly all the items in her bucket list have been checked off — including a worn letter received from Alan Alda who portrayed “Hawkeye” in the ‘70s TV sitcom M.A.S.H. (a devoted fan, she keeps his letter in her Bible) — she knows that there is always something that can be done to help and to whom she can gratefully serve.
Sister Judith Warmbold
Birth name: Judith Frances
Birthplace: St. Louis
Entrance: 1959
Education: Bachelor’s in history, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1963
Master’s in theology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., 1967
Master’s in counseling and guidance, University of Missouri, Kansas City, Mo., 1992
Service in the archdiocese: Daughters of Charity Provincial Vocation Coordinator, St. Louis, 1978-84
Board member of Daughters of Charity Central Region Foundation, St. Louis, 1996-04
Service outside the archdiocese: Education ministry in California, Illinois and Louisiana
Parish ministry in Nebraska, Texas, North Central and Southeast Missouri
Social work ministry in North Central and Southeast Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois
Depaul USA DAX program for students facing housing insecurity at DePaul University, 2015-present
About Sister Judith Warmbold: Growing up in St. Louis, I attended St. Monica and Christ the King parishes, and Mercy High School. I am enjoying working with vulnerable college students to provide them with security and stability to make a college degree and future employment a reality.
70th Entrance
Sister Mary Anne Digenan
Birth name: Sara Ann
Birthplace: Easton, Mo.
Entrance: 1949
Education: Nursing diploma, St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, St. Joseph, Mo., 1947
Bachelor’s in Nursing Education, DePaul University, Chicago, 1952
Master’s in psychiatric nursing, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., 1958
Doctorate in psychology, St. John’s University, New York, N.Y., 1972.
Service in the archdiocese: Head nurse and psychiatric supervisor, St. Vincent Hospital, St. Louis, 1951-56
Psychiatric supervisor and clinical teacher, St. Vincent Hospital, St. Louis, 1958-60
Daughters of Charity support, assistant juniorate director and psychiatric lecturer, St. Louis, 1967-68
Psychology instructor, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1967-68, 1970-72
Daughters of Charity Provincial Formation Councillor and Generalist, St. Louis, 1972-80
Daughters of Charity Governance, St. Louis, 2007-10
Daughters of Charity spiritual direction, St. Louis, 2010-11
Service outside the archdiocese: Health care ministry in Louisiana, Texas and Kansas City, Mo.
Ministry of prayer, Evansville, Ind.
About Sister Mary Anne Digenan: The oldest of six siblings, Sister Mary Anne attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart in St. Joseph, Mo., and entered the Daughters of Charity on Sept. 1, 1949, in St. Louis. Her passion is psychiatric nursing and today she loves to support her sister companions. Reading is a true joy, along with many other activities that keep her busy. Prayer is an important part of her day, and she is a true treasure to her companions. As she says, “I thank God to have had the privilege of serving God’s people for 70 years.
Sister Mary Louise Happich
Birth name: Mary Louise
Birthplace: New Orleans
Entrance: 1949
Education: Bachelor’s in science, Fontbonne College, St. Louis, 1955
Master’s in education, Loyola University, Los Angeles, Calif., 1968
Service in the archdiocese: Elementary principal, St. Catherine Laboure School, St. Louis, 1968-72
Daughters of Charity Provincial support, 1990-92
Administrative assistant, Catholic Health Outreach Program, St. Louis, 1990-92
Administrative assistant, Catholic Community Services, St. Louis, 1992-2004
Daughters of Charity receptionist, St. Louis, 2004-09
Service outside the archdiocese: Education and administration ministry in Mississippi, California, Louisiana and Texas
Docent at Seton Shrine, Emmitsburg, Md.
Parish ministry in Oklahoma
Ministry of prayer, Evansville, Ind.
About Sister Mary Louise Happich: The youngest of four siblings, Sister Mary Louise attended St. Stephen School with the Daughters of Charity. She entered the Daughters of Charity on March 16, 1949, in St. Louis. Being greatly influenced by her teachers, she has always been passionate about teaching and the joy that it has brought her. She was beloved by teachers and students alike. Currently she is in the ministry of prayer and is always ready with a glowing smile. As she says, “With a heart full of joy, I give thanks to God for my 70 years of serving His poor and all the blessings that have been mine over these many years.
Sister Josephine Oldani
Birth name: Gloria Theresa
Birthplace: St. Louis
Entrance: 1949
Education: Bachelor’s in education, Fontbonne College, St. Louis, 1959
Master’s in European history, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, 1967
Certificate in education administration, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, 1971
Service in the archdiocese: Elementary teacher in Perryville, 1953-59
Assistant principal in Perryville, 1966-70
Secondary teacher in Perryville, 1967-71
Secondary principal in Perryville, 1971-73
Daughters of Charity, Provincial Councillor, St. Louis 1974-80
Catholic Charities, St. Louis, 1986-98
Daughters of Charity, Provincial Treasurer, St. Louis, 1999 to 2005
Board member for Guardian Angel Settlement and Immigration and Refugee Women’s Program, St. Louis, 2007-10
Governance, The Sarah Community, Bridgeton, 2010-12
Ministry of Prayer, The Sarah Community, Bridgeton, 2012-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Education in Alabama and Utah.
About Sister Josephine Oldani: I grew up in St. Louis in an extended Italian family. My mother was from Milan, Italy. My brother Louis is a Jesuit priest, whom I enjoy seeing more of now that he has retired and is living here. I became interested in becoming a Daughter after attending Laboure High School in St. Louis. There were five of us from the same class that entered the Daughters of Charity after graduation. Currently, I serve as an advocate for social justice, particularly on the state level. I also enjoy helping and serving my sisters at The Sarah Community. I am a fan of the Cardinals, having become hooked on the team at an early age with free tickets from my grade school, and I always look forward to a meal on The Hill.
Sister Edith Thompson
Birth name: Elizabeth Ann
Birthplace: Huntsville, Ala.
Entrance: 1949
Education: Bachelor’s in Education, Fontbonne College, St. Louis, 1955
Clinical pastoral education from St. Mary’s Hospital, Kansas City, Mo., 1974
Service in the archdiocese: Elementary teacher, St. Louise de Marillac School, St. Louis, 1950-53
Elementary teacher, St. Patrick School, St. Louis, 1953-57
Director, DePaul Health Center, Bridgeton, 1979-81
Service outside the archdiocese: Education ministry in Texas and Puerto Rico
Pastoral care ministry in Texas and Louisiana
Docent, Seton Shrine in Emmitsburg, Md.
Ministry of prayer, Evansville, Ind.
About Sister Edith Thompson: The oldest of five siblings, Sister Edith attended Bishop Toolen High School in Mobile, Ala. She was greatly influenced by the work of the Daughters of Charity, and entered the Daughters of Charity on April 24, 1949, in St. Louis She is currently serving in the ministry of prayer at Seton Residence, where her happy demeanor brings smiles to her companions. She loved her time of teaching the children and service as chaplain at the hospitals. Her continuous prayers bring peace to her day, and she praises God for her long life and 70 years of service to the poor.