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.