Jubilarian 2020 - Sister Patricia Ann Giljum

Sister Patricia Ann Giljum was born in St. Louis. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1959 and was received into the novitiate in 1960 as Sister James Bernice. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Fontbonne College in 1965 and a master’s degree in music education from Wichita State University in 1973.

Sister Pat dedicated her 45-year ministry to fine arts education. Her career began as a teacher in several St. Louis Archdiocesan schools throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. She taught at Holy Name Grade School and Most Holy Rosary Grade School and other multi-schools.

Then, for more than three decades, Sister Pat served as the director of fine arts for the Catholic Education Office, enriching the experiences of teachers as well as students in the St. Louis archdiocesan schools. In 2009, she was honored as Arts Educator of the Year by the St. Louis Arts and Education Council.

From 2008 to 2014, Sister Pat served her CSJ community as a member of the St. Louis Province Leadership Team. After a sabbatical, she retired in 2015 and continues her volunteer work in the St. Louis community.