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Nun Photo – Sister Anastasia, SSND
Happy month of May! May is the month which we traditionally honor as Mary’s month. It’s only fitting that for our first Nunday of the month of May we have a photo of a Catholic sister who belongs to a religious congregation named for Mary — the School Sisters of Notre Dame (notre dame = “Our Lady”, a title for Mary).
Sister Anastasia is a School Sister of Notre Dame in Elm Grove, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee). The photo of her was sent in by Callie, a young “discerning” woman who had the good fortune of meeting Sister Anastasia.
Writes Callie …
In December of 2007 I spent time with the School Sisters of Notre Dame at their Motherhouse in Elm Grove. I met Sister Anastasia, SSND, and within a few days of us meeting we clicked. We started talking about Thomas Merton, prayer in complete silence of deep breathing, life, and her stories as a teacher in Guam (where she taught for 33 years). She is a bundle of joy and truly loves the Lord. She is one woman who has impacted so many people’s lives.
Our friendship has grown. We send letters to each other, and we also see each other every 2 or 3 months. During the summer I saw her quite often because I didn’t have college and lots of homework! No matter what route God puts on my path, I am blessed and joyful that God has put me with Sister Anastasia.
I love the picture because it captures to women 50 years apart in age, smiling all for the love and joy of God! “The joy of the Lord is our Strength.”
To see all the photos of Catholic sisters and nuns and links to their stories, visit the A Nun’s Life Facebook photo album. If you’ve got a photo and story (how you know Sister) of a real Catholic sister or nun, check out the details on submitting your photo for consideration.
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Sister Anastasia has a fun, slightly mischievous smile.
Both women look really comfortable together. Awesome!
I’m sure that I shan’t be the only one to be touched by these beautiful words from Callie: ‘No matter what route God puts on my path, I am blessed and joyful that God has put me with Sister Anastasia’.
What a lovely picture and a meaningful story! Thanks for sharing Callie!!!
I’m so glad I found your blog!
Hello Callie,
I graduated from Notre Dame High School in Guam in 1983. Sister Anastasia was my homeroom teacher as well as my chemistry teacher. My older sister Mary Manibusan was also a student of hers. My two other sisters, Janice and Frances, attended Notre Dame as well. My father, Frank Manibusan, remembers her well as he was very active with fundraising at our school. I have often wondered how she was doing and assumed she was still in Guam. I was very happy to see her picture and know that she is doing well. She looks the same as when I was in school.
Her quiet and peaceful nature is very clear in my memory. She had a positive impact on my life and so many of the other girls from Notre Dame. I am not surprised that she continues to do so with other young women.
I thank you for posting this picture of the two of you because it allowed me to find her. I am not sure if she remembers me, but please extend my warmest regards to her. May God continue to watch over her and keep her well.
Your joy is contagious and inspirational. Thank You.