Milwaukee South News

Sister Joan Penzenstadler, a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) for nearly six decades, will celebrate her 60th Jubilee in 2025. Her journey with the SSND began in high school when she felt drawn to their community. "I was attracted to women religious when I was very young, but it wasn’t until high school that I knew the community calling my heart was the School Sisters of Notre Dame," Sister Joan stated.

Her initial profession took place on July 28, 1965. Sister Joan started her career as a French teacher after earning a bachelor's degree from Mount Mary College. She taught in Milwaukee, Marinette, and Chippewa Falls for 11 years before pursuing further education at St. John's University in Minnesota for a master's degree in theology.

Following her studies, she served as director of youth ministry at St. Leonard in Muskego for three years before joining Mount Mary College's Theology Department faculty in 1981. Between 1984 and 1988, Sister Joan earned a doctorate in religious education from Boston College and then returned to Milwaukee to continue teaching at Mount Mary University (MMU) for another 15 years.

After taking a sabbatical ending in 2004, she became Assistant to the President for Mission and Identity at MMU. From 2006 onward, she balanced roles as co-director for associates in the Milwaukee Province and spiritual director locally.

In 2008, Sister Joan assumed the role of vice president for Mission and Identity at MMU until her retirement in 2022. Recently honored with the Madonna Medal for service at MMU, she resides at Trinity Woods on campus where she remains an influential figure promoting SSND values.

Reflecting on her life’s work, Sister Joan expressed gratitude: “Reflecting on these years, my greatest blessing is vowing my commitment to God in a community of women who also desired to give their entire lives,” adding “What a gift!”

— by Trudy Hamilton