Sister Edna Demanche, ss.cc., is
a member of the Pacific Province and was born on a Missouri
homestead farm of immigrant parents from France and Hungary. She
became a Maryknoll Sister, making first vows in 1937, perpetual vows
in 1940, and completing college and graduate work in biological
sciences in New York and Indiana. Sister Edna was assigned to Hawaii
to teach in parochial schools. Later, she served in the central
office of Diocesan Schools as science curriculum developer and
consultant.
She became a member of a science curriculum research and development
team at the University of Hawaii serving both public and private
school science programming and teaching. Many summers were spent
among teachers on various islands of the South Pacific and in Japan.
In her personal life, she requested a canonical transfer into our
Congregation and became an SS.CC. in 1978 as a member of the Pacific
Province, Sister Edna continued working with teachers throughout
Hawaii until her official retirement from the University. As
customary with religious retirees, she continued work in a variety
of jobs, notably in the library at Sacred Hearts Academy in Honolulu
and in the SS.CC. Provincial Office. Here is her account of her
present work in Artesia.
What can you do with an old, retired school teacher
except put her in a classroom? In Artesia, I am happy to be teaching
groups in preparation for Baptism and at various levels of
catechesis at Our Lady of Grace. I keep my sewing needle busy among
the linens and vestments in our Church sacristies, and take my turn,
with the others, in keeping our C.I.M. Community fed, our house
clean, shopping done, doorbells and telephones responded to, and
attending a multitude of parish, vicariate and diocesan meetings. My
high point every week is Thursday, when just we seven spend the day
together praying, sharing, discussing, planning, laughing, eating
and ending our day with evening prayers and a Holy Hour with the
Eucharist in our midst. |
