Welcoming New 2025 Associates

Inspired by Nano Nagle and the spirit of radical hospitality, eight dynamic individuals became Presentation associates this spring. During their orientation, they were blessed by open-hearted sharing, many kindnesses and prayerful support. Together, they formed deep bonds, becoming soul friends. They share what drew them to this sacred journey.

Terese Veverka Black
Terese says, “I want to be an associate because you are in my blood – and heart and soul. After spending 10 years as a Presentation Sister, I cannot not be a part of a group of women I have loved for 45 years.”

Earning a degree from Clarke College, Terese taught at Resurrection, St. Columbkille, St. Dorothy and Columbus High School before doing missionary work in Bolivia. After leaving the Presentation Community, Terese married Rob Black. They had two children, Rachel and Jimmy, in addition to Rob’s daughter, Kira.

Terese carried the charism of Nano into her work as director of Rutland Dismas House, which assists formerly incarcerated persons. Now retired, Terese does volunteer work, plays guitar at Mass, travels and enjoys reconnecting with family and friends.

Robert Gardner
“‘What does the Lord ask of you? Only this: to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God.’ This simple, yet powerful Scripture captures what I believe is my mission in life,” says Bob. “Following in the footsteps of Nano, Mother Vincent Hennessy and many remarkable women, I choose to live as the Presentation Sisters do … putting God’s love in action by living a life of radical hospitality.”

A lifelong Iowan, Bob was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and continues to reside there. Although teaching in Catholic schools has been his life’s work and greatest passion, he currently serves as pastoral minister at St. Ludmila Church. Bob shares that several beacons of light guided him to the Presentation Associate Partnership: the Presentations’ extraordinary dedication to Catholic education; their radical hospitality, which welcomes, includes and supports all; the legacy of his mother, who was taught by the Presentation Sisters in Ryan, Iowa; and the incredible feeling of being truly at home at Mount Loretto.

Debbie Gross
Debbie grew up in a faith-filled, fun family in Waterloo, Iowa, but has lived in Dubuque for the past 36 years. She was married to her “best friend, the most incredible man” for 40 years. They have two daughters, Kate and Megan, and five grandchildren. In April 2024, her beloved husband Terry passed away. She says that he taught all of us how to live, and die, gracefully.

Debbie worked in youth ministry, parish ministry and as a campus minister at Loras College before retiring in 2022. A vital part of her life is her faith-sharing group of 36 years. “The mission of radical hospitality is how I try to live my life,” says Debbie. “I am thrilled to say ‘Yes!’ to this community as an associate. I love the symbol of the lantern and I pray that all of us can be ‘Nano seconds’ of light to one another.”

Kris Hermsen
Still a farm girl at heart, Kris grew up in a family of nine in western Iowa. She earned degrees from Briar Cliff College and Clarke College and taught elementary school for over 30 years before retiring in 2021. She and Jerry have been married for 39 years; their family includes their son Josh, his wife Janet, their son Jon and his girlfriend Jess.

Kris was drawn to the Associate Partnership, knowing very little about the amazing woman Nano was. Kris states, “In 2022, Nano was publicly acclaimed as the ‘Greatest Irish person of all time,’ a woman whose only claim to such an honor was a life dedicated to the poor. Nano became the lantern for others. She challenges me to live simply, take risks and to share my gifts. I pray that we, as new associates, will take up our lanterns and bring light and hope to others.”

Teresa Koch
Teresa grew up on her family’s farm near West Union, Iowa, where she learned the value of caring for the earth. She was the second of four children whose parents were devout and involved Catholics. She married Joe Koch, and together they had three children: Christa, Danny and Benjamin. They later divorced. Teresa has been passionate about teaching the faith to her children and their family was highly involved at St. Joseph Parish in Key West.

When she was 16, Teresa started playing the organ at Mass and has continued to sing and play at numerous parishes throughout her life. She loves combining music and faith and has devoted most of her career to teaching music in Catholic schools.

When she was invited to be an associate, she was so excited that she admits, “I didn’t discern. I didn’t pray. I just acted.”

Connie McDermott
Connie, formerly from Epworth, Iowa, has called Dubuque home for 15 years. She and her husband Terry have three children, Tara, Eric and Leah, and consider their spouses “our kids” as well. They have six grandsons and a granddaughter. Connie is presently retired but has worked for the Catholic church in various positions for a total of 31 years. She laughs, “God likes to keep me close!”

She avows, “The charism of the Presentation Sisters is radical hospitality. Something I experience very strongly whenever I am in their presence. ‘Radical’ – meaning bold, true, profound, challenging societal norms, a transformative experience of God’s grace. These are the people I want to spend time with.”

Terry McDermott
Terry spent his first 57 years in Epworth, Iowa, born into a half-Irish, half-German Catholic family. He attended St. Patrick and was taught by the Presentation Sisters. After graduation, he worked at John Deere for 43 years.

He recalls that the visiting presider at their wedding offered the Eucharist to Connie, still a Methodist then, and held it out until she finally took it. Terry asks, “Radically inclusive, wasn’t it?” It made a memorable impression on him. Attending liturgy at Mount Loretto, they again encountered radical hospitality. Terry and Connie’s shared journey drew them to the Associate Partnership. Terry expresses, “Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of an organization that has an open heart to all people, no exclusions.”

Laura Ryan Ripley
Laura grew up in a loving Catholic family, and attended Catholic schools through college, solidifying her vocation to teach in Catholic schools for the past 34 years. She has been married to her husband Shane, also for 34 years, and they have three children: Christopher, Monica and Isaac.

Laura met two Presentation Sisters in particular who deeply influenced her. College professor Sister Joan Lickteig ignited a fire that formed her and her classmates into quality teachers who taught with passion and generosity; and Sister Carmen Hernandez inspired other teachers to emulate her commitment to high standards of professionalism, deep concern for students and attentive listening.

Laura testifies, “Whenever I enter this beautiful Presentation motherhouse, I feel God’s holy presence among you as you manifest the spirit of Nano. It is now my season to follow God’s call and the charism of radical hospitality.”