Jubilarian 2021 - Sister Michael Therese Bauer

Sister Michael Therese Bauer, baptized Marie Joann, was born in Centralia, Illinois. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1950 and was received into the novitiate in 1951. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Fontbonne College in 1961.

Sister Michael Therese taught at St. Gregory School, 1953-1961. She taught the next 10 years in Hawaii at St. Joseph Grade School in Waipahu, Christ the King Grade School in Maui, Holy Trinity Grade School in Honolulu, St. Anthony Grade School in Kailua, and St. Theresa Grade School in Honolulu.

In the early 1970s, she taught in Denver, Colorado, at St. James Grade School.

Sister Michael Therese returned to St. Louis and taught at St. Luke School, 1973-1978. From 1978 until 1985, Sister Michael Therese’s ministry was in community service to her retied and infirmed sisters at Nazareth Home in Lemay. Beginning in 1985, Sister Michael Therese served as coordinator of printing and mailing services at the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet’s Provincial House in St. Louis for over 20 years. From 1977 to 2002, she was the spiritual moderator of The Guild of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, a role she found very rewarding.

Since her retirement in 2008, Sister Michael Therese has been involved in volunteer service.

In her spare time, Sister Michael is a clown and a magician. She is a member of the Trinity Clowns of Missouri (formerly Gateway Knights of Columbus Clown Club) and of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) and their regional affiliate, St. Louis RING ONE, which has brought her much fun, enjoyment and new friends. She feels blessed to have been able to bring laughs, surprises and smiles to many. While COVID has curtailed conventions and activities since March of 2020, Sister Michael Therese is hopeful to return to her “abracadabraing” before long.