Sr. Anita Rolenc, ND, Celebrates 70 years as a Notre Dame Sister

The Notre Dame Sisters proudly announce the celebration of the 70th Jubilee of Sr. Anita Rolenc, a dedicated and beloved member of their community. Born on December 26, 1932, on a farm near Brainard, NE, Sr. Anita has devoted her life to religious service and education, impacting countless lives.

Sr. Anita, the daughter of Joseph and Agnes (Polak) Rolenc, grew up with three sisters: Marcella Rolenc Cook, Pauline Rolenc Voboril (deceased), and Sr. Karen (Rita) Rolenc (deceased). Her passion for teaching ignited in her early years as she taught her dolls and aspired to be a teacher.

During her time as a student at Notre Dame Academy, Sr. Anita made annual retreats. It was in her senior year, after a conversation with the retreat master, that she revealed she wanted to be a missionary Sister in a foreign land. He explained that the Notre Dame Sisters were missionaries, as they were “sent” to teach in various parishes. This realization led Sr. Anita to join the Notre Dame Sisters.

Sr. Anita’s teaching ministry began in elementary grades across Iowa, Nebraska, and the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. In 1970, she was assigned to teach at Notre Dame Academy, a role she initially resisted due to her perceived lack of qualifications for high school teaching. Nevertheless, her obedience to this call led to a noteworthy 36-year career in high school education at Notre Dame Academy, Neumann in Wahoo, and St. Mary’s in O’Neill.

Her summers were equally busy as she dedicated herself to teaching Bible School across various parishes. For over 20 years, she organized K-6 Summer Bible Classes for St. Joseph’s in Amelia, recruited high school students as teachers, taught music, and by the end of the week, the students were ministers at the closing Mass on Sunday.

In 2010, her extraordinary contributions were recognized when she received the Archdiocesan Rural High School Teacher of the Year award.  This award, given by the Archdiocese of Omaha, honors educators who demonstrate exceptional dedication, professionalism, and a strong commitment to Catholic education, supported by letters of recommendation.  The former Library Media Specialist of St. Mary’s in O’Neill, said, “Sr. Anita is a shining example of Christ among us in our lives.” Another member of the St. Mary’s community remarked, “Sr. Anita always goes the extra mile for her students, teaching by example, providing them with a role model, and instilling in them a love of learning that they carry with them long after they have left her classroom.”

Beyond her teaching roles, Sr. Anita served as an organist for Sunday and school-day Masses in nearly every parish where she taught. Since 1989, she has also been the archivist for the Notre Dame Community, preserving the rich history of her religious family.

Sr. Anita is grateful to God for the many blessings that have supported her religious vocation, teaching ministry, and positive influence on youth and their families. Her message to young people facing significant decisions or anxieties about the future is one of trust in God’s love and care: “God loves you and cares about you. You can tell God anything and everything that concerns you. God will always listen! God will always want the best for you!”