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Farewell and God Bless – We Will Miss You

As we prepare to begin the Renew My Church initiative, we are saddened to have to bid farewell to our beloved Sr. Joan Shields and her assistant Louise Dickey, who resigned from their respective positions of Director of Religious Education and Secretary of Religious Education at Our Lady of the Wayside.

How does one capture Sr. Joan’s dedicated service? She, along with Sister Adrienne, directly impacted the lives of over 3,000 students for 23-years by tirelessly preparing programs and retreats for our children to prepare them to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Sr. Joan was also responsible for working diligently behind the scenes to prepare liturgical celebrations, prayer services, school Masses, the Vacation Bible School, and the annual May Crowning. She encouraged and supported the creation of Little Saints Storytime. Needless to say, the personal impact that Sister Joan had on the lives of so many of our children is both immense and invaluable. She is a beloved spiritual mother of souls in the deepest sense of this expression, and she will be sorely missed. May God reward and bless Sr. Joan as she enjoys retirement.

Louise Dickey served at Sister Joan’s side for almost 12 years and oversaw the clerical aspects of running the religious education program. In this way, she, too, was instrumental in the faith formation of countless children during her tenure at the parish, and we pray that God will continue to bless her in her work at Northwest Community Hospital.

Sr. Joan and Louise Dickey leave behind an admirable legacy. As an expression of our gratitude for their dedicated service, we will gather, along with former pastor Fr. Ed Fialkowski, on Saturday, July 10th at 5:00 PM in the parish Church to recognize and pray for them during a special thanksgiving Mass celebrated in their intention. We hope that you will be able to join us.