Sister Rose Marie Groppe

Sister Rose Marie Groppe was born in St. Louis. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1950 and was received into the novitiate in 1951 as Sister Teresa Anne. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Fontbonne College in 1959 and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University Chicago in 1982.

Sister Rose Marie taught at numerous schools in St. Louis from the 1950s through the 1970s: Saints John & James, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Cecilia, St. Edward, Bishop Healy, Nativity, and St. Mary Magdalen. She also taught at St. Mary Grade School in Littleton, Colorado.

From 1980 to 1981, Sister Rose Marie was a staff member at Manna House of Prayer in Concordia, Kansas. After completion of her master’s degree, she served in St. Louis. In 1982, she taught for a year at St. Louis Cathedral School. She then served in pastoral care at Our Lady of the Presentation from 1983 to 1984. The following year, she served in family ministry at Sacred Heart Parish in Salem, Missouri.

From 1985 to 1990, Sister Rose Marie was the director of the RCIA at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish and served as pastoral associate there from 1996 to 2016. She also served at Peter & Paul Center, a homeless shelter run by Sts. Peter & Paul, St. Vincent and Trinity Lutheran churches from 1985 to 1995, helping the homeless women and children living in the shelter find employment and homes.

Since 2016, Sister Rose Marie has resided at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis, carrying out her ministry of prayer and presence. She loves animals and enjoys various kinds of puzzles and crafts.

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