Sister Joan C. Casey, CSJ

(S. Mary Carol)

Prayerful, cheerful, welcoming

A daughter was born to John and Augusta (Riegel) Casey of St. Louis on December 5, 1930. She attended Holy Name Elementary followed by St. Joseph's Academy. In 1948, Joan entered the Sisters of St. Joseph. She received the habit and the name Sister Mary Carol on March 19, 1949. She earned her bachelor's degree in mathematics at Fontbonne College (1961) and master's degree in education and elementary administration at Saint Louis University (1968).

S. Joan taught kindergarten at Saint Leo and Saint Teresa (1951). In 1953, she began teaching music at Saint Margaret of Scotland and Saint Mary Magdalen. Then, she taught music at Saint Philip Neri (1955). Back at Saint Leo's she spent a year teaching intermediate (1956). Her next assignment was teaching intermediate at St. Joseph School in Hancock, Michigan (1957). Returning to St. Louis in 1960, S. Joan taught at St. Jude for a year and then at St. Luke the Evangelist School until 1964. Her last assignment in elementary school was as an eighth grade teacher, physical education teacher, principal and also superior of the house for six of her seven years at Saint Jude.

In 1971, a time of renewal was upon us. Our new structure consisted of a provincial with two assistants and five regional superiors. Sisters Joan and Ida Berresheim* served as assistants to Sister Mary Laurent Duggan. When S. Joan's term ended in 1977, she ministered as the director of ongoing formation. Then, S. Joan was a consultant to the Emmaus Community (1983) and was also involved in renewal/retreat work there (1984).

After some transition time, in 1996, she became director of admissions at Mary Queen and Mother Center. In 2002, S. Joan accepted the position of hospitality coordinator at the St. Joseph Motherhouse. In 2005, spiritual direction was her focus in addition to taking an active role in the Bridges Program, which connects Ignatian spirituality and the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola to everyday life. S. Joan had great love for our congregation welcoming the chance to guide sisters along their spiritual journeys. That and volunteer opportunities occupied her time from 2009 until she moved to Nazareth Living Center in 2013, where she carried out her ministry of prayer and presence.

Memories:

I was always impressed with her organization skills and her interest in the students. She was greatly respected by the school faculty ... she was an example to me of a prayerful, caring Sister of St. Joseph. —Sister Maryellen Tierney

Joan was instrumental in inviting Sister Julie Harkins, CSJ from Boston to come and share what she had learned about our history and the writings of Fr. Medaille. It truly contributed to reviving our spirits. —Sister Jean Paul Selissen

Sister Ann Landers remembers Joan as her principal:

She gave me so many gentle, practical tips on different aspects of teaching the children. I came to know her as a wonderful educator, a spiritual director and a friend.

Sister Mary Joyce Bringer thought of S. Joan as “cheerful and welcoming … very supportive of elementary education.”

Sister Ann Pace recalled that while they were on the council together, S. Joan had the ability of “coming up with insights that I never would have had.” She also mentioned, “Joan's parents were in vaudeville; when she was born and [when] her parents were performing, Joan was put in a drawer in their dressing room!”

And, of course there were many who mentioned their amazement and delight at hearing S. Joan share her talent of whistling harmony or even two different melodies at the same time!

*After one year, Sister Ida was elected to general government. Sister Mary Catherine O’Gorman took up her position as assistant provincial.

By Sister Helen Oates