Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI)

60th First Profession

Sister Eileen O’Keeffe

Birthplace: St. Louis

Entrance: 1959

First profession: 1962

Final profession: 1967

Education: Bachelor’s in elementary education, University of the Incarnate Word, 1967

Master’s in social work, University of Texas, 1970

Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Sebastian School, St. Louis, 1964-66

Teacher and counselor, St. Joseph Vocational Center, St. Louis, 1980-94

Staff member, Mt. Carmel Group Home, St. Louis, 1983-84

Staff member, St. Joseph Vocational Center and St. Casimir Group Home, St. Louis, 1984-88

Co-principal and counselor, St. Joseph Vocational Center, St. Louis, 1990-93

Social worker, Salvation Army Hope Center, St. Louis, 1994-96

Teacher and counselor, St. Engelbert School, St. Louis, 1996-2000

Mission integration, Incarnate Word Academy, St. Louis, 2005-22

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Francis Xavier School, Taos, Missouri, 1962-63

Teacher, Mary Immaculate School, Kirksville, Missouri, 1963-64

Teacher, St. Mary School, Amarillo, Texas, 1967
Teacher and counselor, Dunne Memorial Home, Dallas, Texas, 1967-68

Social worker, Catholic Counseling Service, El Paso, Texas, 1970-72

Social Worker, St. Margaret Center, El Paso, Texas, 1970-80

About Sister Eileen O’Keeffe: One of my favorite phrases is “an attitude of gratitude!” I am so grateful for the many people in my life who have shown me the face of God — my parents, family, friends, community members, co-workers, students, the thousands of people I have met over the years. A highlight for me was in 1976 when Mother (St.) Teresa of Calcutta stayed overnight with our community in El Paso where she was the keynote speaker at the CYC convention. She touched my life deeply with her respect for ALL persons and her desire to treat everyone as a child of God. I’ve had countless opportunities to keep learning how to do this and hope together we can make a positive impact on our world. With Dag Hammarskjold, I say, “For all that has been — THANKS! For all that will be — YES!”