Sister Susan Staff, SDS
Ministries Weave Caring and Friendships

“It is a joy to work with Sister Susan. She is a great support and a faithful friend,” stated Sister Aquin Gilles, SDS, about her colleague in the SDS North American Province Archives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

Sister Susan Staff, SDS, was born the oldest of the ten Staff children in Shorewood, Wisconsin, and attended St. Robert Grade School. She learned to share, lead and have a deep faith as part of her family. Then at Divine Savior High School (now Divine Savior Holy Angels), she met the Salvatorian Sisters and after graduation became part of a larger family of vowed religious. “I was drawn to the Sisters friendliness and simplicity. I think it is incredible and wonderful that, with seven other Sisters, we will mark our fiftieth Jubilee this summer,” Sister Susan said.

 “I graduated from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and Diet Therapy. Then I ministered and taught for several years. In 1973, I began fifteen years of ministry at St. Francis Seminary. For the first seven years, I was assistant to the Director of the Albert Cardinal Meyer Institute, a continuing education program for Clergy and those who minister with them. For the next eight years, I was an assistant in the Development Office to Father Gerald Hauser,” she pointed out.

 In 1989, Sister Susan was asked to become Director of Development for the SDS Congregation and took the department to the next level of professionalism. Previous congregational ministries had included novice director and vocations director. Today she works in the Archives with Sister Aquin Gilles, SDS.

  “Sister Susan Staff has been a great asset to the Archives. She is a clear thinker for planning and organizing and she generously uses her computer skills for whatever task is needed.” Sister Aquin said.

 “As I look back, I was happy in each ministry. I enjoyed the people I worked with and each place. While working with Fr. Hauser, I was invited to help plan and organize tours that he had been conducting for years. Many of those who traveled with us enjoyed joining a group for a trip that was planned for them. We formed lasting friendships. The trips were a special ministry and we would have Mass and the rosary as part of our daily routine.  Our travel days are over but we still meet regularly for lunch and value our times together,” Sister Susan explained.

 “Now I look at my former Divine Savior High School teachers and marvel at how active they still are. They convince me that there are many good years to come. Both my Staff and Salvatorian families continue to support and inspire me,” she said.