On Sunday, June 2, 2019, Prioress Sister Donna Pollard, OP
welcomed the Dominican Sisters of Houston to the 60th jubilee of
Sisters Thomas Ann LaCour, OP, Lauren Lindee, OP, Sharon Steglich, OP and
Stephen Anne Zawacki. In 1959, four young women, Anne LaCour, Marguerite
Lindee, Sharon Steglich, and Rosalie Zawacki, arrived at the Motherhouse at
6501 Almeda Road. They came from as near
as Houston and as far east as the Sabine area. Sr. Stephen Anne attended All
Saints and St. Agnes Academy in Houston, Sr. Lauren attended St. Anne and St.
Agnes Academy in Houston, Sr. Thomas Ann attended St. Anne and St. Anthony High
School in Beaumont, and Sr. Sharon attended St. Mary’s and Bishop Byrne High School
in Port Arthur. However, they all graduated
from Dominican College in Houston. When they entered, St. Pope John XXIII was
pope; Dwight David Eisenhower was president; and the average salary was a
little over $4000.
Though times have changed, one thing remains constant: these
women continue to dedicate their lives in service to God as Dominicans. They
have touched thousands of lives as teachers, principals, dean of students, associate
superintendent, director of catechetical formation and religious education,
receptionist, founder of School for Environmental Education, and ministers of
hospitality. They have ministered in various places in the Archdioceses of
Galveston-Houston and Los Angeles and in the Dioceses of San Bernardino, Austin,
Beaumont, and Houma-Thibodaux.
Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza, DD, Bishop Vincent
Rizzotto, DD, JCL, Rev. Bill Bartiniski, and Rev. Dan Warden presided over the
Eucharistic Liturgy, which was held in the chapel at St. Dominic Villa. After Rev.
Bartiniski, who is a cousin of Sr. Stephen Anne, delivered the homily, the
jubilarians renewed their vows and commitment to the people of God.
Immediately following the liturgy, the congregation
continued the celebration of the jubilarians at dinner in the Villa dining
room.
