Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross in Green Bay, WI

Sister Carolyn Zahringer

Following in Father Daems' footsteps

Sister Carolyn Zahringer

Sister Carolyn Zahringer grew up on a small family farm two miles north of the village of Stockbridge, the third child of seven. She graduated from St. Mary Catholic School in Stockbridge and went on to graduate from Stockbridge Public High School. Shortly after graduating, Sister entered this Community.

She served as support staff at Holy Cross School in Mishicot, St. Boniface in De Pere, and St. Isidore School in Osman. After leaving Osman, Sister served for three years in Community Service at the Motherhouse on Bay Settlement Road.

Sister pursued a degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, and was hired at St. John School in Little Chute. She taught first grade for 10 years, then researched and planned the kindergarten program that was added to the school’s offerings and she taught kindergarten for six years. She was granted a sabbatical between teaching at Little Chute and joining the Holy Cross Catholic School faculty in Bay Settlement. She has been teaching at Holy Cross School for 14 years, beginning with first grade and eventually second grade. It is rewarding to work with students and their families preparing to celebrate Sacraments.

Father Edward Daems established Holy Cross Catholic School back in 1868. He gathered a group of women to help him minister to the needs of the immigrants of this area; in turn, he and the women helped to form this Community. “It is special to celebrate a personal jubilee the same year in which our Community, my school and our Diocese are celebrating 150th anniversaries. It is wonderful to be part of a triad of historic celebrations,” says Sister Carolyn. “God is good!”


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