Sister Marie Barth loves the arts! Her specialty is teaching spirituality through art. She’s a musician, an accomplished artist and an art teacher. Her power of concentration enables her to imagine, envision and create, even as she makes her way through the day. She is trying to be a creative resource in sharing from various ministry experiences, past and present.

A former prison ministry chaplain, Sister Emilie Bormann currently ministers in community prayer and service at Mount Loretto. Sister Emilie also spends much of her time beautifying the Mount Loretto grounds, keeping the property weed free and tending to the flowers. She enjoys crocheting colorful afghans.

Sister Julianne Brockamp is enjoying retirement. Previously she served on the congregational leadership team for the Sisters of the Presentation. Before taking on that role, she served as interpreter and ESL aide in the Hill City Public School District in Hill City, South Dakota; as Presentation formation director in Bolivia, South America; as parish life coordinator at Our Lady of the Sioux Parish in Oglala, South Dakota; as director of religious education at St. Joseph Parish and campus minister at Black Hills State University, both in Spearfish, South Dakota; as pastoral associate in Alamogordo, New Mexico; as congregational leader from 1989 to 1993; as a pastoral and leadership formation minister in Bolivia; and as elementary teacher and principal in Catholic schools in Iowa.

Living out her life’s passion of ministry to those in need, Sister Therese served in Bolivia where she was a presence among the people of O’Connor Province in the department of Tarija, Bolivia. She visited the patients at the hospital and prayed with them; coordinated the baptism team, the marriage team and the team for formation of adults who desired to receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and/or Eucharist. Previously she was a caregiver in ministry to the dying in Texas.

Energetic and fast-paced Sister Kay Cota is often seen with a camera in hand, making her way to capture an outdoor scene. She thoroughly enjoys her photography hobby, offering prints and greeting cards of local color for sale in the Mount Loretto gift shop.

A joyful and thankful heart brings Sister Linus Coyle’s concern for others in their particular ministry to daily hours of prayer.

If there is a sign-up sheet to attend some function, Sister Donna Determan’s name will be on it. Sister Donna is a faithful supporter of local events and activities. Her generosity also took her to Resurrection School where she helped with the religious education program during the school year and in the summer session. She would like to attend more high school basketball games.

Sister Rayanne Determan enjoys retirement and living a life of community and prayer.

Sister Mary Louann Doering enjoys reading, playing board games, prayer time in Chapel, volunteering in tasks available, and using e-mail to stay connected with family and friends.

Sister Martha Donnelly currently volunteers in the Dubuque area while sharing her Irish charm with everyone she meets. Previously she ministered as chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Sister Sheila Ann Dougherty makes music wherever she goes, volunteering to play for Mount Loretto liturgies. She also participates in a number of discussion groups in community and volunteers as a driver.

Sister Lynn Marie Fangman enjoys a slower pace in retirement. Previously she ministered as general treasurer for the Presentation community for many years. Sharing her finance background, Sister Lynn is a member of a number of boards and committees for nonprofit organizations. Her personal sparkle adds cheer to non-finance groups, too.

A graduate of Bishop Garrigan Catholic High School in Algona, Iowa, Sister Janet Goetz recently retired from volunteering at Garrigan, the St. Cecelia Parish office and Adoration Chapel. She stayed in contact with shut-ins and nursing home residents via phone calls and written notes. She was involved with student activities at Garrigan and accompanied the Kiwinas Students of the Month. Sister Janet was also secretary to the Bishop Garrigan School Board. She enjoys reading, family history, yard work, walking and spectator sports.

The gift of being a Presentation Sister has taken Sister Marge Healy from teaching high school math and theology to traveling the mountainous roads of Bolivia and Guatemala. Later while ministering to immigrants in rural Iowa her heart and mind continued to be opened by people who taught her the meaning of hope and faithfulness in the midst of the most challenging life circumstances. Presently in Bolivia she guides the rural formation program of San Luis Parish and accompanies the faith leaders as they strive to evangelize, teach and build unity in their local communities. With over 100 rural communities in the parish the faith leaders are an invaluable asset to the parish.

Sister Elena Hoye loves to watch the stars, play cards and travel. Education has been the unifying thread that wove through her different ministries and offered her the opportunity to work with and learn from people of many ages and backgrounds. During retirement, Sister Elena serves on several community committees and offers small group facilitation.

Sister Beth Kress is caregiver for her sister. She ministers in communications for Hotel Hope of New Orleans and also offers her expertise and skills as a proofreader and writer for Presentation Doorways. A talented violinist she plays violin and viola as a longtime a member of the Dubuque Community String Orchestra and collaborates with other liturgical musicians on special occasions.

When walking down the front hall, you may see Sister Rene Laubenthal working on a jigsaw puzzle. She also enjoys reading, playing cards, visiting and decorating. Love of teaching and compassion for immigrants prompted her to tutor, both at the Presentation Lantern Center and at Mount Loretto with the two Vietnamese sisters living here. An important time of her day is spent with quiet time for prayer and reflection. Sister Rene is known for her warm greetings and smile for the sisters, employees and guests, and is always ready to give a gracious, helpful hand.

Sister St. James Lickteig shares her gifts through community prayer and service. Creative and enterprising in her genealogy study, she delights the sisters and her family with interesting historical information. Sister St. James enjoys computers, art and all manners of creating something new.

Recently retired, Sister Carolyn (Carrie) Link is a talented and trained artist who enjoys any available time that she can devote to her artistic creations. Previously, Sister Carrie served as liturgist at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Mound, Minnesota, and as RCIA/spiritual director at St. Henry Parish in Monticello, Minnesota.

Sister Jeanette McCarthy, self-taught and fluent in Spanish, served over 13 years as minister to the Hispanic population in the Dubuque, Iowa, area. Now retired, she enjoys visiting with family and friends. She especially appreciates quiet time for relaxation, prayer and reflection.

Sister Maura McCarthy served as associate director of La Luz Hispana, a hospitality and outreach center for the Hispanics of North Central Iowa. She began this ministry after 23 years of accompaniment and promotion of the Guarani Indians of Southern Bolivia and acting as short-term representative at the Presentation UN Office at the United Nations in New York. Her missionary heart and hearty laughter followed her in this mission and has stuck with her as she transitioned to Mount Loretto.

Do you need a ride to an appointment? Sister Anne McCormick, with Irish eyes smiling, coordinates the driving schedule of rides for the senior sisters. She serves in liturgical ministries and is a companion to the senior sisters to their doctor’s appointments. That is her favorite ministry. She also helps with receptionist duties, accepts and displays clothes in the May-Take Room, assists as Eucharistic Minister, lector and prayer leader.

“On-the-go” describes Sister Dolores Moes as she organizes and participates in a variety of service offerings, peace and justice projects, prayer, sacristan, and her work with Right to Life. Sister Dolores keeps the house channel enriched with evening movies, and a special movie each week on the large screen for all sisters, especially those with eye problems, and performs other services throughout the motherhouse. Sister also enjoys helping to give out food to the needy at the food banks.

Sister Corine Murray currently ministers in community prayer and service at the motherhouse. She is the former executive director of the Presentation Lantern Center, a place of diversity, hospitality, educational opportunities and advocacy for women and children. She continues to seek ways to welcome immigrants and assist them with their needs. As a poet she often writes about the foundress, Nano Nagle.

Following a lifetime of varied ministries and leadership positions, Sister Damian O’Brien continues to spread her charm and good will with her friendship and serving as organist for daily liturgies.

Sister Joy Peterson serves as the treasurer for the Sisters of the Presentation. Previously she served as a member of the congregational leadership team. She also served as the promoter of justice for the Sisters of the Presentation. Prior to that she was the promoter of peace and justice for the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, for eight years. Sister Joy has been formation director, vocation director and congregational leader for the Presentation congregation. She holds a master’s degree in teaching elementary social studies from Clarke College, as well as a pastoral ministry degree from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to her ministries within the community, she taught middle school and high school. From 1989-1997, she was a pastoral minister at St. Mary Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa. She also spent a year working in the NGO office of the International Presentation Association at the United Nations.

In retirement, Sister Carla Popes enjoys leisure time for prayer, community and service. Previously, she ministered to the Guatemalan families living in Decorah, Iowa. Prior to that, she served as pastoral associate within the Emmaus Pastorate in Strawberry Point, as vocation director for her community and as director of lay formation and associate director of catechetical services for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Sister Carla also served as an elementary teacher and director of religious education in Algona, Cedar Falls, Charles City, Epworth, Farley and Monona, all in Iowa.

Sister Pamela Quade has recently retired. Formerly of Des Moines, Iowa, she was employed by Mercy Medical Center as a lobby receptionist and volunteered weekly at Mercy Hospice in Johnston and at St. Theresa School. She also served as a teacher, principal and finance assistant. Sister Pam enjoys golfing in the nice weather and reading any time of the year.

After many years of service, Sister Francine Quillin now enjoys a slower pace enjoying time for relaxation, prayer and reflection at Mount Loretto. Past ministries have included serving in many leadership roles and volunteering in various capacities at Resurrection Parish in Dubuque, Iowa. She was the spiritual guide for a local Theresian group. A canon lawyer, Sister Francine volunteered services for the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Dubuque Archdiocese, helped persons prepare petitions for a Decree of Invalidity for their marriage, served as an advocate for persons in need of canonical assistance, and offered other canonical services for religious communities and individuals.

In retirement, Sister Jennifer Rausch enjoys crocheting and a slower pace of life. Previously, Sister Jennifer Rausch ministered at The Glenn Hopkins, a senior living community, as pastoral care coordinator. It was her privilege to accompany the residents during their senior years as they navigated the transitions of life due to their changing physical, mental and spiritual status. She says she is blessed as they shared their wisdom years with her and strived to live their lives to the fullest. Presentation hospitality animated her interactions with 330 residents, their family members and staff. She facilitated various recycling projects at The Glenn Hopkins to protect and reverence Earth.

In the past Sister Irma Ries has been especially energized by her work with immigrants, migrants, homeless and near homeless. In retirement, her energy have pivoted to earth care issues.

Sister Mary Louise Scieszinski ministers in community prayer and service. She is grateful for her time spent in the education field as teacher and principal, and considers those years as a treasured gift in life. She likes to give a hand at various everyday efforts and projects. She enjoys reading, listening to music, baking, sewing and crocheting, as well as visiting and sharing stories. Her greatest appreciation is having the time for quiet prayer and reflection.

Sister Brigid Stanley currently resides and volunteers in Yankton, South Dakota. Most recently, she ministered as a CNA at Majestic Bluffs, St. James Care Center caring for the elderly and accompanying them in their final stages of life. Sister Brigid takes great pride in ministering in this capacity as it models Nano Nagle’s own care for the poor, elderly women and widowed.

Recently retired, Sister Janet Stelken ministered as a caregiver for the elderly and elderly homebound and also volunteered at St. James Parish in Chicago, Illinois. Her past ministries include elementary science teacher, high school religion teacher, member of the community leadership team and pastoral care coordinator.

Sister Marian Sweeney currently ministers in community prayer and service. A lifelong learner, She continues to enjoy reading, research and decorating, with a special interest in art.

A former primary teacher, Sister Rosalyn Ulfers responded to her call to minister to the hospitalized. After serving as chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa for 17 years, Sister Rosalyn shared her sparkle at the Mount St. Francis Center in ministry in Dubuque, Iowa. In her free time, Sister Rosalyn enjoys reading, walking and listening to music in her retirement.

Sister Leanne has served as a teacher, principal, curriculum director and superintendent of Catholic schools and completed two terms on the congregational leadership team. She also was an adjunct instructor at Clarke and Loras Colleges. With a fabulous background of knowledge through academic degrees and wide educational experiences, Sister Leanne can fit into any learning situation. Even beyond education, there isn’t much this life-long learner can’t do. Gifted in many areas, she, likewise, shares herself in her concern for the poor. Currently her services are appreciated by the Dubuque Food Pantry as well as the Dubuque Public library for which she delivers books to the homebound. Her humor is enjoyed on the home front.

Sister Carmelle Westemeier, a minister in community prayer and service, enjoys visiting and playing cards or Scrabble with family, community members and friends. Sister Carmelle regularly offers a “bright spot” for any day.

Sister Dolores Zieser ministers in community prayer and service. An artist and a busy retiree, Sister Dolores assists with the driving schedule, makes hand-woven baskets, teaches basket weaving, and enjoys a variety of art and craft projects.