Meet Your Neighbor: Sister Susan Marie Reineck celebrates Diamond Jubilee
FREMONT - Sometimes, a teacher’s influence can last a lifetime. As a young girl attending St. Joe Elementary School, Sister Susan Marie Reineck grew academically and spiritually under the tutelage of her teachers, all Sisters of Notre Dame.
On July 16, Reineck celebrated her Diamond Jubilee by publicly renewing her vows at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. For 60 years, Reineck has served God as a Sister of Notre Dame teacher and school administrator.
“When I was in 8th grade, I was discerning a possible religious vocation. I looked at various communities — at Mercy here in Fremont, at St. Francis in Tiffin, and at Notre Dame. The Sisters of Notre Dame were teachers, and I felt drawn to be a teacher,” Reineck said.
Reineck felt a calling at a young age
As a young girl, Reineck had a strong desire to marry and have a family, but she took seriously a possible call to ministry.
“When one has a religious vocation, it doesn’t go away,” she said. “I told my dad, I have to find out. I don’t want to go my whole life and not see if this is what God wants me to do.”
Reineck attended an aspirant school in Toledo during her high school years to further seek her calling, and she joined the novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame in February, 1961.
“It’s a period to continue to discern if one has a vocation, where you learn what is involved in belonging to a religious congregation and what giving of one’s self permanently to God is really all about,” she said.
Reineck served as a teacher and a principal
Reineck made her first profession 60 years ago, on Aug. 20, 1963 and began teaching at Gesu Catholic School in Toledo in 1964. She taught in various elementary schools in Ohio and Florida, mostly in inner city areas, and she became an elementary school principal after earning a master's of education degree from the University of Toledo.
Reineck technically retired in 2018, but since July, 2020, she has served as the Community Coordinator of the Southern Region of the U.S. Today, she tutors students and directs the tutoring program at Guardian Catholic School in Florida. At the age of 80, she has yet to truly slow down.
“We picked up a new word. One of the sisters said that, instead of retiring, we are ‘retreading,’” Reineck said.
Although Reineck gave up her dream of raising a family, her life was filled with children.
“I’ve thought of it many times. I gave up being a wife and a mother, and God gave me hundreds and hundreds of children, and they’re all uniquely beautiful,” she said.
Reineck renewed her vows in mid-July
Renewing her vows at Sacred Heart after 60 years of commitment to God was an emotional moment for Reineck.
“I had a feeling of joy and gratitude at God’s goodness. It was a celebration of God’s goodness because it’s all from him. I have a feeling of deep gratitude to God for calling me to serve others,” she said. “I celebrated with my religious community at the Sisters of Notre Dame in Whitehouse the day before, so it was an emotional weekend.”
After the Sacred Heart service, family and friends gathered for a reception to share stories and celebrate Reineck’s jubilee.
“It was beautiful. The experience of bringing family together and hearing one another’s stories was wonderful,” she said. “Vocations come from trees — family trees. I have my parish family, my natural family and my religious family providing support.”
Reineck understands the struggle young Catholic girls today face as they question a calling into the ministry.
“My advice would be to spend quiet time in prayer, allowing God to love them and speak to their heart. Having quiet time is critical to allow God to speak to you,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to search the possibility of God calling you.”
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Meet Your Neighbor: Sister Reineck celebrates Diamond Jubileee
