Editor’s note: This is the second of two stories celebrating years of service at the Dominican Sisters of Peace. More biographies were published in the June 14 edition.
Dominican Sisters of Peace will celebrate Jubilarians on June 22 at the Motherhouse facilities, 3600 Broadway Ave.
Jubiliees are like anniversaries. They celebrate the number of years that a sister has been in community from the time she took her First Vows. There will be a special prayer service on Saturday evening, June 21 and a special Mass on Sunday morning followed by a festive dinner. During the Mass, the sisters will recite the vows that they made all those many years ago. The vow formula is: “I, (name of sister), profess the vows of obedience, celibacy, and poverty to God, to be lived in the light of the Gospel and according to the rule of St. Augustine and the Constitutions of this Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, for my whole life.”
65 Years
Sr. Ann Metzen
Sister Ann Metzen was born in Clonmel, to William and Agnes Metzen. She answered the call to religious life after her senior year in high school when she joined the Dominican Sisters in Great Bend. The highlight of her 33 year teaching career was educating Kindergartners. This was her strength, and her great gift, especially to the School of the Magdalen in Wichita, where she not only taught kindergarten for six years, but also engineered the renovation of the convent building into a perfect space for the youngsters. Sister Ann served as school secretary for the Manhattan, Catholic schools and aided the Art of Learning Center in Wichita for several years. She also served as Coordinator of the Motherhouse in Great Bend for 12 years. She is now ministering as coordinator of the receptionists as well as serving in various other community ministries.
Betty Werner
Sister Betty Werner was born in Pretty Prairie into a family of three brothers. Her family nourished her vocation, and before she completed high school, she entered the Dominican Sisters of Great Bend. Her ministerial life began as an elementary school teacher. In addition to teaching, she experienced a variety of ministries including Eucharistic minister to the homebound, hospital visitor, counselor on wilderness hiking trips for disadvantaged students, support person for social and educational programs for students with drug- and alcohol-related problems, and assisting with recreational activities for the physically and mentally challenged. In addition to all this, she served as a volunteer probation counselor for the court system in the Denver area. Sister Betty ministered for nine years as principal and liaison between the parish and school. She also served the Great Bend Dominicans for eight years as Prioress and two terms as a Councilor on the congregation’s Leadership Team.
60 Years
Renee Dreiling
Sister Renee is from Garden City. She has ministered as a teacher and principal in elementary schools, in the chemical dependency unit at St Joseph Hospital as secretary, then family counselor, senior counselor and finally director. After completing a Masters of Divinity with an emphasis in Pastoral Counseling she ministered as vocation director, formation director and director of Associates. Since 2002 she has ministered in Heartland Center for Spirituality as a spiritual director, teacher in training spiritual directors, leading retreats, and serving as director and co-director of the Center.
Roserita Weber
Sister Roserita Weber began her ministerial life as an elementary teacher for 11 years. She was then asked to serve as an assistant treasurer for the Dominican Sisters for nine years and she introduced the use of computers into this work. She was a founding member of Heartland Farm and a worker for a year and a half. She then completed a Master’s Degree in Elementary School Counseling. She served as the Convent Coordinator for four years, she was then given a well deserved sabbatical. When the congregation started a new ministry in Garden City, she volunteered serve the poor and needy there. She has done this now for 30 years and will soon retire. During this last period, she also began RCIA at St. Mary Parish and led this service for 15 years. Serving the Lord brings many graces and opportunities.
