HERALD Staff Report
(From the issue of 5/13/04)

The following women religious are celebrating special jubilees this year. They joined Bishop Paul S. Loverde at the annual Jubilee Mass on May 13 at Marymount University Chapel in Arlington.

60 Years

Sr. Ernestine Johann, O.S.B.

Benedictine Sister of Virginia Sister Ernestine Johann was born Aug. 11, 1923, in Richmond to Ernest G. and Katherine Ryan Johann. Her one brother, Christopher E. Johann, currently resides in Augusta, Ga. She graduated from St. Gertrude High School in Richmond. She received her bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Md., and her master’s degree from St. John’s University in Collegindle, Minn.

She professed her first vows on March 19, 1944, and her final profession was on March 19, 1947. She taught at St. Charles Borromeo School in Arlington and St. Benedict’s Parochial School in Richmond. She served as principal at All Saints Parochial School in Manassas from 1957-61. For the next six years Sister Johann was Director of Novices and from 1967-79, she served as Prioress in Bristow. Afterwards, she became a business manager at St. Gertrude High School in Richmond and worked as bookkeeper at St. Mary Parish in Richmond from 1988-98. She is currently an evening monitor at transitional house BARN in Bristow.

50 Years

Sr. Margaret Kerr, S.N.D.

Sisters of Notre Dame Sister Margaret Kerr was born on March 3, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Maurice and Edith Kerr. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Cleveland. She received her bachelor’s degree from St. John College in Cleveland and her master’s degree from John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio.

She professed her first vows on Aug. 6, 1954, and her final profession was on Aug. 15, 1959. Her assignments have included teaching first grade in St. Michael School in Cleveland and St. Peter School in Canton, Ohio; second grade at St. Mary School in Massillon, Ohio; sixth grade at St. Francis School in Cleveland, St. Mary School in Warren, Ohio, and St. John School in Warrenton, Va.; eigth grade at Christ Our King School in Warren, Ohio, St. Peter School in Lorain, Ohio, St. Leo School in Fairfax and St. Mary School in Massillon, Ohio. Sister Kerr is currently a computer instructor at St. Agnes School in Arlington.

Sr. Jeanne Wirt, O.S.B.

Benedictine Sister Jeanne Wirt was born June 2, 1932, in Richmond to Emmett and Agnes Wirt. She is one of seven children. She graduated from St. Patrick High School in Richmond and received her bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa.

She professed her first vows on April 8, 1954, and her final profession was on April 10, 1957. She taught at Sacred Heart School and St. Benedict School in Richmond, Linton Hall School in Bristow, St. Charles Borromeo School in Arlington, St. Rose of Lima School in Hampton and All Saints School in Manassas. Sister Wirt is currently retired. She works with ceramics and helps out at the monastery.

Sr. Joan Ann Hallerman, O.S.B.

Benedictine Sister Joan Ann Hallerman was born Dec. 2, 1934, in Richmond. She attended St. Gertrude High School in Richmond but graduated from St. Scholastica High School in Chicago, Ill. She received her bachelor’s degree in education.

She professed her first vows on April 8, 1954, and her final profession was made on April 10, 1957. Sister Hallerman taught at St. Benedict School, St. Paul School and Sacred Heart School in Richmond, St. Rose of Lima School in Hampton, All Saints School in Manassas and St. Charles Borromeo School in Arlington. She is currently teaching at Linton Hall School in Bristow.

25 Years

Sr. Glenna Smith, O.S.B.

Benedictine Sister Glenna Smith was born Oct. 12, 1949, in Ocala, Fla., to Glenn and Anita Smith. Her stepfather is Don Moreland and is one of four children. She graduated from Marion County Public Schools in Ocala, Fla. She received her bachelor’s degree from Marymount College in Arlington and higher degrees from Assumption College in Worcester, Mass., Boston College and James Madison University in Harrisonburg.

She professed her first vows in June 1979 and her final profession was made in June 1983. She has been an adjunct faculty member at James Madison University and Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, Va. Sister Smith worked as Camp Director and Residential Coordinator at Linton Hall School in Bristow. She served as principal from 1989-2000. She is currently the Subprioress, Monastery Coordinator and Director of Benedictine Counseling Services.