Moments in Ministry St. Mary’s Elementary and High School, Lansing, Michigan

Moments in Ministry

St. Mary’s Elementary and High School, Lansing, Michigan

By S. Judith Metz

St. Mary School’s first building on Chestnut Street circa 1880.

1874

1900

1937

1958

The pictured postcard commemorates the transition of St. Mary’s Church to St. Mary’s Cathedral in 1937.

1963

S. Mary Janet Miller was named principal of St. Mary’s High School in Lansing in 1958.

1969

1970

1993

Three Sisters of Charity, led by S. Octavia McKenna, opened a six-room school house with an enrollment of about 100 students.

St. Mary’s High School opened. By the 1920s its enrollment was 220 students. Tuition for out-of-parish students was $15 per year.

Lansing was named a diocese with St. Mary’s as the Cathedral. By this time there were 18 Sisters of Charity and three lay teachers serving 383 elementary school students and 290 high schoolers.

Administrators were interested in introducing the curriculum developed by the Committee on American Citizenship from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. S. Mary Janet Miller was named principal of the high school to oversee this project.

St. Mary’s High School closed and O’Rafferty High School opened, staffed by Sisters of Charity and Christian Brothers.

St. Mary’s elementary school closed and merged with Holy Cross School. Sisters of Charity Juanita Marie Gonzales (as principal) and Pat Newhouse (as classroom teacher) continued to teach there until the 1990s.

O’Rafferty High School closed. Sisters of Charity continued their ministry at Catholic Central until 1991.

Sisters Marie Pauline Skalski, Pat Newhouse, Anita Parks, and the late Cheryl Ann Grenier were on the inaugural faculty of St. Martha’s School in nearby Okemos.

Intercom is the official magazine of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. This apostolic Catholic women’s religious community exists to carry out the Gospel of Jesus Christ through service and prayer in the world. Approximately 245 Sisters are joined in their mission by 204 Associates (lay women and men). Sisters, using their professional talents as ministers of education, health care, social services and environmental justice, live and minister in 18 U.S. dioceses and in two foreign countries. They also sponsor institutions to address education, health care and social service needs, with particular concern for direct service to the poor.

Intercom Staff

Editor Erin Reder

Graphic Design/Layout Michelle Bley Director of Communications S. Georgia Kitt Executive Council Liaison S. Monica Gundler

Advisory Board Members: Veronica Buchanan S. Mary Ann Flannery S. Tracy Kemme S. Joyce Richter Debbie Weber Vicki Welsh

Letters to the editor, articles and photos are welcome. The staff reserves the right to edit for space and readability. Make submissions to: Communications Office 5900 Delhi Road Mount St. Joseph, OH 45051 Phone: 513-347-5447 Fax: 513-347-5467 Email: erin.reder@srcharitycinti.org Subscriptions: $15 per year

5900 Delhi Road Mount Saint Joseph, OH 45051 www.srcharitycinti.org www.facebook.com/ sistersofcharityofcincinnati

5900 Delhi Road Mount Saint Joseph, OH 45051 http://www.srcharitycinti.org www.facebook.com/sistersofcharityofcincinnati

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Sisters of Charity employees’ commitment to the Sisters’ health and safety during the CO VID-19 pandemic has been more than appreciated by the Community and administrative staff.

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S. Winnie B rubach (pictured) has been working with Dr. Gene K ritsky, a M ount St. Joseph University professor, to care for a hive of bees on the grounds of EarthConnection.

S. Pat N ewhouse’s dedication to the mission of H aven H ouse in Lansing, M ichigan has benefited many families.