Related to a Sister – flowcastlisten.org

Episode Ninteen

People who are related to Catholic sisters have a unique “insiders” perspective on religious life.

Introduction

Three Springfield Dominican associates share inspiring stories about the joys of having a Springfield Dominican Sister on their family tree.

About our guests

Mary Helen (Call) Rowland was raised in Springfield, Ill., and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy. She is a Dominican Associate (2021) and niece of the much-loved Sister Mary Thomasene Dunham, OP. A veteran radio personality and talk show host, she currently works in clay as a pottery artist. Mary Helen served her parish in Reston, Virginia, as Coordinator of Faith Formation for a program of 2,000 children and 250 volunteer catechists. During that time, she developed a successful Junior High Youth Ministry Program. Serving God by serving others is Mary's motto. She treasures spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. Mary Helen dreams of one day returning to live in Springfield, meanwhile, she blooms where she is planted.

Jantzen Eddington is an administrator in higher education in Springfield, Ill. He became acquainted with his cousin Sister Trinita Eddington when he landed in Jackson, Miss., for law school. A member of the 2021 “COVID class” of Dominican associates, Jantzen is convinced the formula for passing the bar exam includes assiduous preparation and the prayers of the Springfield Dominican community.

Judy Babb-Troxel, a retired University of Illinois administrator, was not only taught by Dominican sisters but three of them frequently put their feet under her family table: Sister M. Norbert, Sister M. Isnard, and Sister M. Helen Marron were her grandmother’s sisters. Then in 1990 her first cousin Teresa made her profession as a Dominican Sister of Springfield. Judy lives in Champaign, Ill. She became an associate in 2019.