Sister Rachel Wallace, SDS, to Celebrate 50th Jubilee

Called and Blessed will be the 2009 theme of Salvatorians in North America making their jubilees of religious profession. A Mass of Thanksgiving will be offered on Saturday, June 27, at 11 a.m. at the Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corners. A reception and dinner will follow the liturgy. Sister Rachel Wallace, SDS, will be celebrating her 50th jubilee of religious profession.

Sister Rachel is the North American Province Wellness Nurse Coordinator.

Commenting on her golden jubilee impressions, Sister Rachel said, “There is this feeling of tremendous gratitude for my life and that I have already received the hundredfold. Salvatorians are my friends and people I have lived with and who have helped stretch me to great growth. There is no community I would rather be with. They are also my mentors and role models. There is such great joy in living simply and we celebrate well.”

As the wellness coordinator, she supports the Sisters as they face health issues and challenges. She accompanies them to doctors, takes notes, picks up prescriptions, advocates and is there if they need to be hospitalized.

One sister who walked with during a recent cancer diagnosis and surgery shared her thoughts about Sister Rachel.

“Sister Rachel has been awesome as our Wellness Coordinator. She’s been there by my side to interpret challenging medical news. She’s been a gentle and compassionate companion during painful hours in the hospital. She’s been a passionate advocate with doctors and nurses when she believed quality care was lacking. In summary, she’s been an angel of mercy in our midst.”

From student nurse at St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Wausau, Wisconsin, to instructor and supervisor, she has always been drawn to this healing profession. She was born in DePere, Wisconsin. Her mother, a nurse suggested St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Wausau. While attending, she met the Sisters of the Divine Savior.

Past ministries include: supervisor and instructor at St. Mary’s Hospital and Wausau Tech, Wausau; instructor at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.; instructor at University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Saginaw State University, Michigan; SDS Generalate, Rome, Italy; North American Provincial Leadership Team, parish nurse at St. Mary’s Parish, Portage and Briggsville, St. John’s Parish, Monches and St. Clare’s Parish in North Lake, all in Wisconsin.

Sister Rachel graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School and DePere High School. She earned a diploma from St. Mary’s School of Nursing; a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and a Master of Science in Nursing from Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

She just completed a six-year term on the Divine Savior Healthcare Board of Directors in Portage, Wisconsin. She also serves on the Salvatorian Men’s Initial Formation Committee. “We meet twice a year and we happily report there will be two ordinations this summer.”

“My life has been blessed in my family, friends and community. I live with expectancy as newness and new challenges continue to come. My life exploded with possibilities when I entered the Sisters of the Divine Savior. Community living is about relationships. I have learned how to love others and accept people as they are. I look forward to sharing this milestone jubilee with my family and Salvatorian family and friends.”