Leadership

Sister Debra Marie Sciano is serving a second consecutive term as Provincial Leader of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) Central Pacific Province. Previously she served as a Provincial Councilor (2001-2005) and Provincial Leader (2005-2011) of the former Milwaukee Province. Sister Debra said, “It is imperative that we continue to build relationships with one another across our province and beyond, including our sisters, associates, partners in mission and others with whom we minister and live. We are in the midst of change and transition that will hopefully lead us to transformation.”

Sister Debra Marie was born in Milwaukee and professed her final vows at Our Lady of Good Hope Church in Milwaukee in 1986. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1981, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Doctor of Law (JD) degree in 1988 from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida. From 1988 to 2001, she was an Assistant District Attorney for the State of Wisconsin, primarily representing children in need of protection and services. From 2013 to June 2019, Sister Debra served as a family mediator in Milwaukee, helping families communicate with one another, focus on the needs of their children and resolve issues within mediation, rather than in court. Sister Debra said, “I am a unifier and love to bring people together, build relationships, collaborate, network and include those who are diverse in a variety of ways.”

“As we let go of loved ones, properties and ministries that have played an important role in our lives, it is important to ask what is most essential now? What legacy do we believe SSND should give to the world? How can we make a positive impact at a time when negativity, divisiveness and lack of civility is prevalent in our world? These questions will lead to further dialogue that will move us toward the evolving future,” said Sister Debra.

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Sister Mary Kay Brooks is serving a second consecutive term on the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) Central Pacific Province Council. For Sister Mary Kay, being creative with a touch of humor has always been important when working collaboratively with others.

In addition to leadership roles, Sister Mary Kay served others using her gifts of teaching high school mathematics in schools in Minnesota and Illinois for over 30 years. Creating an atmosphere of love and acceptance was important throughout her teaching. She taught all levels of high school mathematics and college algebra.

From 2016 to 2019, Sister Mary Kay was part of the SSND North American Vocation team, accompanying women in their discernment. Living in Dallas, she traveled to various parts of the province collaborating with high schools, colleges/universities, retreat centers, parishes and other groups to share the charism of the SSND. She enjoyed journeying with women who were discerning their vocation in life.

Sister Mary Kay earned a bachelor’s in mathematics from Mount Mary College (now University) and a master’s in education from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis in 1992. She completed her Spiritual Director’s certificate in July 2019, from the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

She grew up in Hastings, Minnesota, and entered the SSND in 1977, at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Mankato, Minnesota.

Being of service to her sisters is a key aspect to Sister May Kay’s entire being, “I hope to be of service to my sisters in community, with staff, with colleagues and the wider community as we deepen relationships to promote God's mission.”

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Sister Joan DiProspere is serving a second term on the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) Central Pacific Province Council. She served on the last Provincial Council of the former St. Louis Province and on the first Provincial Council of the Central Pacific Province. She feels the next four years will not only be challenging, but also a graced time in the history of the province and congregation.

Sister Joan began her teaching ministry in 1968, after her first profession of vows in 1966. She taught at St. Anthony in Effingham, Illinois; Immaculate Conception in West Alton, Missouri; St. Helen in Fresno, California; and St. Peter in St. Charles, Missouri. Additionally, she served as principal for 12 years at St. Paul in Highland, Illinois; St. Stephen in Caseyville, Illinois; and St. Joseph in Manchester, Missouri. Sister Joan then ministered for two years as a residential counselor at Boys Hope in St. Louis. She became the administrator at Villa Gesu Health Center in St. Louis for nine years before serving for three years as Senior Services Coordinator for the former SSND St. Louis Province. She earned a license as a professional counselor and ministered for four years as a mental health counselor and crime victim therapist in Arnold, Missouri. In 2015, Sister Joan became Coordinator of the Local Community and Generalate House Rome, Italy. She returned to St. Louis in 2020, during the COVID pandemic.

She holds a bachelor’s in American studies from the former Notre Dame College in St. Louis and a master’s in elementary school counseling from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas, and earned her license as a professional counselor.

Sister Joan values communal decision-making. She believes SSND are called to unity as an international congregation and to collaboration with elected leaders and non-elected leaders, including sisters, associates, lay staff, ministry colleagues and members of other congregations.

This quote from the Prologue of You Are Sent reinforces the sense of who SSND are together, “Our charism continues to develop in the living community, which, enriched by the past, enables the congregation to unfold in the present and to be challenged by the future.”

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Sister Sandra Marie Helton is serving as a provincial councilor for the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) Central Pacific Province for the first time. Sister Sandra was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her first profession was in Chatawa, Mississippi, in 2002.

As provincial councilor, Sister Sandra says, “My leadership style is participative and transformational. One of the most significant aspects of the position is to foster our continued service of forwarding the mission of Jesus. As SSND, we exist because of the mission of Jesus. It is the impetus of our life’s journey.”

Sister Sandra earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech/Theater from Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana, in 1979, and a Master of Arts in Speech from Northwestern State University in 1981.

Her leadership experience includes 45 years serving as an educator in Catholic and public schools in Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Her teaching background consists of reading and language arts, drama and technology to elementary, middle and high school students. She has also ministered as assistant administrator, IT coordinator, lead teacher, instructional coach and teacher mentor. Sister Sandra also taught at the Institute of Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University, New Orleans, and Speech and Theater at Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Sister Sandra’s speaking/presenter engagements include being a keynote speaker for the Diocese of Dallas and conference presenter/workshop presenter for the Black Catholic Women’s Conference, Diocese of Dallas, Dallas Public School System and Phoenix Public School District.

“Re-imaging leadership means that we focus on ways to re-energize forwarding the mission of Jesus Christ, actively formulate postures of inclusion and collaboration, balance task-oriented to people-oriented approaches and adapt to digital disruption,” said Sister Sandra. “As a provincial councilor, I imagine actively formulating postures on inclusion and collaboration, which means incorporating programs, policies and actions to be inclusive. With collaboration efforts, look at ways to create different types of partnerships with associates, interest groups, donors, community organizations and nonprofit entities.”

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Sister Helen Jane Jaeb is serving a second consecutive term on the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) Central Pacific Province council. Her goal for this term is to continue to move forward in unity, answering the call to be an international community. She served her first term on the provincial council from 2009-2011 in the former Mankato Province at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Mankato, Minnesota, 2011-2015 and 2019-2023 for the Central Pacific Province.

Her first teaching assignments were in Minnesota and North Dakota, as a primary school teacher. From 1980-1985, she was co-director of vocations for the former Mankato province. From 1985-1995, she served in Patzun, Guatemala City and Ixchiguan, San Marcos, Guatemala. After a period of study, Sister Helen Jane taught English as a Second Language (ESL) at Stillwater State Correctional Facility, Stillwater, Minnesota, from 1997-2009. For three months in 2015-2016, she lived in Mako, Hungary, working as an English language teacher.

Sister Helen Jane began and coordinated an adult ESL program for VINE Faith in Action, Mankato, Minnesota. In June of 2018, she began her work in Amarillo, Texas, as a developer and coordinator of an English language learning program through Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle.

Sister Helen Jane earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from Mount Mary College (now University) in Milwaukee and a master’s in English as a Second Language from Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont.

Sister Helen Jane was born in St. Michael, Minnesota, and made her first vows in 1972 in Mankato, Minnesota. She said, “I’m so grateful that the sisters had been an active part of our community.” With a solid grounding in SSND charism, Sister Helen Jane said, “Of course I was going to be an SSND.”

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Sister Regina Palacios is serving as a Provincial Councilor for the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) Central Pacific Province for the first time. Her leadership experience includes serving as a school principal, associate to the superintendent, co-coordinator of a mental health program for survivors of violence and lead clinician/therapist/supervisor at a shelter for unaccompanied migrant minors.

As a Provincial Councilor, Sister Regina’s initial goal is to become acquainted with the sisters in other parts of the province. She looks forward to increased collaboration with the Atlantic-Midwest Province and the international community. She believes it is important to assess our current ministries to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the times by deepening our commitment to the poor, women and children. She hopes to challenge herself and others to a more active, life-giving community style, with emphasis on simple living and the care for creation. In addition, Sister Regina hopes to collaborate with other religious communities experiencing our same realities of aging and decreasing membership and vocations. This would include researching the needs and expectations of the sisters regarding new models of leadership.

Sister Regina was born in Hillsboro, Oregon, but grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. She made her first profession in July 1968, in Dallas. She holds a Master of Education in Counseling (1992) and a Master of Education in Public School Administration (1979), both from the University of North Texas-Denton, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education (1970) from the University of Dallas.

Her professional positions include: teaching for nine years in Dallas and Louisiana; serving as junior high school principal for seven years in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; one year of community service in Irving, Texas; serving as associate to the superintendent for six years in Dallas; working as a counselor for Catholic Charities for four years in Dallas; acting as co-coordinator of a mental health program for survivors of violence for seven years in San Marcos, Guatemala; serving as a counselor in the parish family life program for six years in Peru; and working for ten years as lead clinician at St. PJ’s Children’s Home for Unaccompanied Minors.

Sister Regina said, “I believe that spirituality, contemplative life and mental health is of vital importance as we move into the future.”

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