Sisters' News

Sister Therese Celine Craven passed away at Maryvale Convent in Valley City, North Dakota, October 24, 2024 at the age of 89. Sister Therese Celine was born Margaret Mary on January 11, 1935 in Spring Valley, Illinois to William and Theresa (Lami) Craven. She graduated from Hall Township High School in 1951. Sister Therese Celine made Vows of consecrated chastity, obedience and poverty to God with the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation, August 18, 1953. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Education from the Great Falls College, Great Falls, Montana, August 1966. She served 30 years in education as an elementary teacher and 27 years in pastoral care and religious education. She was a poet; she loved to sing and socialize. She had a special place in her heart for children and the elderly. She sought to comfort the lonely, the sick, and the crushed in spirit. Sister Therese Celine is an example to us all of persevering in love. She will be greatly missed.

Sister Miriam (Veronica Mary) Braun passed away at Maryvale Convent in Valley City, North Dakota, June 24, 2024 at the age of 92. Sister Miriam Braun was born September 23, 1931 in Foxholm, ND to Alois and Anna (Berlinger) Braun. She attended a one room schoolhouse near Foxholm, ND through 11th grade, then attended high school at Notre Dame Academy, Willow City, ND, and graduated from St. Catherine’s School, Valley City, ND in May of 1949. She made Vows of consecrated chastity, obedience and poverty to God with the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation on November 21, 1950. She received a bachelor’s degree from Great Falls College in Great Falls, Montana. She completed a Master of Arts in Education at St. Cyril & St. Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan.

She served 38 years in education, as a teacher, principal, and Religious Education Coordinator. She cared for the elderly in their homes and then for 23 years she provided pastoral care at four parishes. Sr. Miriam was a quiet and gentle soul. She was always seeking out people in need and did all she could to help them. When caring for the elderly, she got training in reflexology and massage in order to improve their quality of life. The last living of her 13 siblings, she gathered information and stories about their family for her nieces and nephews. She showed an artistic flair in cutting apart old greetings cards and remaking them to send to her loved ones.

Sister Miriam lived gracefully, quietly blessing everyone who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

Sisters Elaine, Sharon, Suzanne and Debra attended the SMP Health – Ave Maria Employee Awards and Christmas Party December 1, 2023 at Gladstone Inn in Jamestown, ND. It gave us the opportunity to visit with and thank the employees for all their Christ-like service to the residents of the skilled nursing and assisted living centers.

Today we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the re-establishment of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation after 9 years of having been banned by the French government. At the time there was a strong anti-religious sentiment in France which led to the banning of hundreds of congregations. Through the efforts of Reverend Mother Saint Therese de Jesus, Senator Leon Jenouvrier, and by the Grace of God, the ban was officially overturned on this day in 1923. Two significant factors in this success were the Reverend Mother’s refusal to bow to the decree, and the Sisters’ brave service as nurses during the first world war. While we celebrate today the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, please join us in thanking God through Mary’s intersession for the gift of freedom to observe our faith and to continue to serve God as the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation.

On Monday July 20, 2023, Sister Elizabeth Rose Muscha passed away at Maryvale Convent in Valley City at the age of 98. Sister Elizabeth Rose was born on May 9, 1925 in Harvey, ND to Ferdinand and Mabel (Specht) Muscha. She professed Vows of obedience, poverty and consecrated chastity in 1946 as a Sister of Mary of the Presentation in Spring Valley, Illinois. In 1968 she received her Masters Degree from Creighton University, Omaha, NE and in 1987 she received a Masters in Art at Mundelein College in Chicago, IL. Sister Elizabeth Rose served in the education field for 55 years of her 73 years of ministry, teaching at four schools in North Dakota and serving as a principal or superintendent at five schools. Her last 13 years of ministry she served as a counselor at Christ the King School in Mandan, ND and St. Bernard Mission School in Fort Yates, ND. Sister Elizabeth Rose retired to Maryvale in July of 2019. Determined and accomplished, Sister Elizabeth Rose was a natural leader. She bettered many lives through her diligent service. Her students and family were dear to her heart. She kept in touch with many of her students throughout her life. She spoke warmly of her family often, recounting cherished memories. Sister Elizabeth Rose lived out her faith in action, constantly working to help others and lift them up. She will be greatly missed.