Jubilarian 2020 - Sister Mary Jo Ritter

Sister Mary Jo was born in Bonne Terre, Missouri. She entered the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet in 1959 and was received into the novitiate in 1960 as Sister Vincent Helene. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from Fontbonne College in 1965.

Sister Mary Jo’s 60 years of ministry have been served as an educator in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

She began teaching at St. Agnes Grade School in 1964, followed by Nativity of Our Lord Grade School. From 1971-1982, she taught at Valle Grade School.

Sister Mary Jo is a much beloved presence at St. Margaret of Scotland, where she taught grade school from 1981-2013. Notably, she started a Montessori school there in 1984.

Sister Mary Jo worked as a nanny from 2013 until her retirement in 2017. She was also foster mom from 1985 to 2019. She currently volunteers.