Marianite sisters to celebrate jubilees of profession

Fifteen members of the Marianites of Holy Cross who serve in Louisiana will celebrate their anniversaries of profession this month.
 
One celebration was held April 1 in Opelousas at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Facility. Another celebration will be held April 22 in the University of Holy Cross Moreau Center in Algiers.
 
Celebrations for sisters living in Canada, France and New Jersey will take place in the fall.
 
The Marianites, founded by Blessed Basil Moreau in Le Mans, France in 1841, came to Louisiana in 1849. Members of the congregation now serve in France, Ireland, Africa, Canada and North America.
 
Sisters Jane Dardenne and Mary Elizabeth Laborie will celebrate 75 years; Sisters Mary Joan Barry, Maria Luz Cervantes, Naoma Duhe, Barbara Dupuis, Mary Jules Landry, Mary Murray, Hannah Marie O’Brien and Mary Owen Quintana will celebrate 70 years; Sisters Ann Louise Arno, Carolyn Bourgeois, Ann K. Martinez and Joycelin Staempfli will celebrate 60 years; and Sister Ann Lacour will celebrate 50 years.

 Sister Jane Francis Dardenne native of Plaquemine, Louisiana, has served as teacher and principal in many of the Marianite-staffed schools in and outside of New Orleans, including St. Mary of the Angels, St. Agnes and St. Rita. An energetic principal with a gift for working with parents and teachers, Sister Jane was responsible for initiating many innovative programs to enhance the learning environment. After retiring as a principal she worked as development and alumnae coordinator for St. Rita School and Parish and was very conscientious in visiting the sick and elderly in her neighborhood where she resided. She currently resides at Our Lady of Wisdom.

Sister Elizabeth Ann Laborie, a native of Marrero, entered the community at age 16. She brought much joy to all the schools to which she was assigned. She served as teacher and principal in a number of the Marianite-staffed elementary schools in the New Orleans area, including St. Christopher, Incarnate Word, Holy Name of Mary, St. Rita, and St. Julian Eymard as well as in Lake Charles, Houma, and Opelousas. Always willing to be of service to others she used her talents to minister as pastoral minister in parishes on the West Bank. Sister now resides at Our Lady of Wisdom.

 Sister Mary Joan Barry, a native of County Cork, Ireland, ministered as an elementary teacher in schools staffed by the Marianites throughout Louisiana. She also served in Chile and as a member of the Pastoral Council for the Diocese of Lafayette, a volunteer chaplain at the Bywater Hospital and continues to share her compassionate presence as a part-time member of the pastoral team at Prompt Succor nursing facility in Opelousas.

Sister Maria Luz Cervantes was born in Guatemala. She taught in elementary and secondary schools throughout Louisiana, spending many years at the Academy of Holy Angels. She served for 22 years as a pastoral minister to the Hispanic community in Manchester, New Hampshire, then continued as a volunteer at the St. Joseph Center for homeless and refugees in New Orleans, assisting clients with communication. She presently resides at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Facility in Opelousas.

Sister Naoma Duhe, a native of Norco ministered as an elementary school teacher in a number of Catholic schools throughout Louisiana. As a member of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and now a Marianite of Holy Cross, she served in the rural areas of Church Point, Donaldsonville, and Labadieville as well as St. Vincent de Paul, St. Peter and Paul and St. Rita schools in the New Orleans area. After retiring from her teaching ministry, she used her cooking expertise in community service to the sisters residing at St. Joseph Convent. She currently resides at Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Opelousas, spreading her joy to the other residents.

Sister Barbara Marie Dupuis was born in Port Arthur, Texas, and lived in Lafayette and New Orleans before entering the Marianites. She taught in elementary schools throughout Louisiana and served as librarian at Our Lady of Holy Cross College, Holy Angels Academy and Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. Sister Barbara has used her great organizational skills as the archivist for the now University of Holy Cross and continues her ministry as archivist for the Marianites of Holy Cross in North America.

 Sister Mary Jules Landry, a native of Franklin, spent many years as an elementary school teacher in schools staffed by the Marianites in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the dioceses of Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Lafayette and Houma-Thibodaux. After her teaching career, she was engaged in community service as chauffeur to sisters in need in Louisiana and New Jersey. Presently she resides at Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Opelousas and is engaged in prayer ministry for the needs of the community.

Sister Mary Murray was born in County Cork, Ireland. After 30 years of teaching in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Diocese of Lafayette, she ministered as chaplain at the University Medical Center in Lafayette and at Christus Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria. She also served as pastoral minister to the sick at St. Rita Parish in Alexandria, Sacred Heart Church in New Iberia and as pastoral associate at St. Peter’s in Pine Prairie, Louisiana, and its mission church in St. Landry. She resides at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Facility and continues to use her gifts as pastoral minister to the residents.

 Sister Hannah Marie O’Brien was born in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland. She ministered for 28 years as an elementary school teacher in schools staffed by the Marianites and as a special education teacher at Holy Ghost School in Hammond. She has served as librarian at St. John School in Franklin and the Academy of the Holy Angels in New Orleans. She was active in social ministry at St. Mary of the Angels in New Orleans and St. Rita Parish in Alexandria, as well as caring for the elderly in Princeton, New Jersey. She currently resides at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Facility in Opelousas and is engaged in prayer ministry for the needs of church.

Sister Mary Owen Quintana, a native of New Orleans, is a former elementary and high school teacher. She served as a medical technologist at Lake Providence Hospital in Lake Providence, Louisiana, and at the U.S. Public Health Hospital in New Orleans, where she served as education coordinator for medical technologists. She was director of volunteers and special education instructor for the New Orleans Adolescent Hospital in New Orleans. After retirement, she volunteered on the northshore with the Good Samaritan Organization of Our Lady of the Lake Parish. She now resides at Our Lady of Wisdom Health Care Center in New Orleans, where she is involved in many activities.

 Sister Ann Louise Arno, a native of Elton, Louisiana, has served as a teacher in elementary schools staffed by the Marianites throughout Louisiana and as assistant principal and principal of St. Peter’s School in Gueydan. She has ministered as a missionary in Dominica, West Indies, and upon her return, held the position of registrar at Our Lady of Holy Cross College (University of Holy Cross) for 11 years. Currently, she is the director of C’est la Vie Independent Living Apartments in Opelousas.

Sister Carolyn Bourgeois, a native of New Orleans, ministered for many years as an elementary teacher. For 25 years she served at Our Lady of Holy Cross College as assistant professor of education, assistant director of continuing education and director of alumni and parent relations. After retiring from the college, she served as the receptionist at Our Lady of Wisdom Health Care Facility, graciously greeting all who entered with a smile. Currently, she resides at Chateau de Notre Dame Assisted Living, where she is involved in many of the residential activities.

 Sister Ann K. Martinez was born in New Orleans and ministered for many years in the field of education as an elementary teacher in the New Orleans area, a biology teacher at the Academy of Holy Angels and Our Lady of Holy Cross College (University of Holy Cross) as a science instructor, director of academic advising and registrar. She served for six years as an optometry specialist with the Louisiana Air National Guard. She currently holds the position of administrative assistant to the president of Willwoods Community.

Sister Joycelin Staempfli was born in New Orleans. She ministered as teacher and member of the administrative staff of St. John Vianney Preparatory School in New Orleans, as well as director of finances and facilities at Notre Dame Seminary. As a member of the Marianites of Holy Cross administration, she has served as treasurer and member of the formation staff. Sister Joycelin extended her services and talents as a member of the formation staff at St. Joseph Seminary College and finance office of the Benedictine Abbey. She served on various boards at Our Lady of Holy Cross College and Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center. Currently, she resides at Our Lady of Wisdom, continuing to minister to those around her and in prayer ministry to the community.

Sister Ann Lacour was born in New Orleans. In her 50 years as a Marianite, she has ministered in various capacities, including teacher and principal at the elementary and high school level. She also served as superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Alexandria. Not limited to education, Sister Ann has been director of Maryhill Retreat Center in Alexandria, CEO of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and development director for the Marianites. She presently holds the position of Congregational Leader of the Marianites of Holy Cross.