LEAVENWORTH — Five Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCLs) celebrated golden anniversaries in the religious community at a special Mass June 24.
Sister Michael Delores Allegri of Denver, Sister Virginia Bartolac of Kansas City, Kan., and Sisters Karen Guth, Elizabeth Skalicky and Ann Lucia Apodaca of Leavenworth celebrated their 50th anniversaries this year.
Sister Michael Delores attended grade school and high school in Kansas City, Mo. She taught high school in Montana, Kansas and Missouri for 23 years. She also served as a mental health worker and director of residential care at Mount St. Vincent Home, Denver. Additionally, she was the principal of elementary and middle schools and cared for children as a foster parent.
After 40 years of teaching, Sister Ann Lucia returned to the SCL motherhouse. She helps with transportation of other Sisters for appointments and errands.
Originally from Kansas City, Kan., Sister Virginia taught and administered for almost two decades in high schools. In addition to other advanced degrees, she earned a doctorate in canon law. She served as collegiate judge in Atlanta’s Court of Appeals, was chancellor of the Diocese of Jefferson City, Mo., and held positions in two Midwestern Catholic Church tribunals. Additionally, she worked for Domestic Court Services in Wyandotte County. She continues to judge marriage cases for several Southern dioceses.
Sister Karen is from Topeka and entered the SCLs after one year at University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth. She taught elementary and high school students in Chicago; Joplin, Mo.; Kansas City, Mo.; and Grand Junction, Colo. In 1993, Sister Karen was recognized as a distinguished teacher by the National Catholic Education Association. She has also served as a spiritual director in Denver, Leavenworth and Kansas City, Kan.
A lifelong educator, Sister Elizabeth currently serves at Xavier Catholic School, Leavenworth. She continues to enjoy her ministry of education that has taken her to Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming. She has been both a classroom teacher and administrator.
The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth serve in the United States and Peru, South America. They number 271 Sisters in ministries including education; health care; social service; pastoral service; spiritual direction; advocacy for peace, justice and the environment; and other service. For more information, visit the website at: www.scls.org.
