S. Therese works with Tino of the maintenance staff to recycle unusable computers

Sister Fix-It

S. Therese Rotarius has always been curious about the way things work. When she was young, she would often take things apart, including her mother's new iron and a watch she received for her eighth grade graduation. It is not surprising then that she grew to love science and became a teacher. S. Therese taught second, fourth and seventh grades, as well as high school students at St. Catherine's in Racine, WI. After retiring from teaching, she moved to Siena Center, home of the Racine Dominicans in Racine, keeping her love of science alive by taking care of computers.

It is S. Therese's job to help keep the computers up and running for the retired sisters living at Siena Center. Many of the computers were donated, so she has the task of deciding if it is possible to upgrade them and put them to use once more. This includes wiping out old files, putting more memory in, and finding out what programs aren't working. If it isn't possible to refurbish an old computer, she sends it on to be recycled. "We don't throw anything away," she said. S. Therese continues with the maintenance of the computers and sets them up with appropriate programs and protection.

Another important aspect of her job is teaching computer skills to the sisters. "Each sister is at a different level," said S. Therese. "I teach them as much as they want." Some just want to learn how to use email; others want to learn Microsoft programs like PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word, and others want to learn how to play games.

S. Dolores Chartrand needed to learn email and how to handle computers. She learned the basics in about a month, and with S. Therese's lessons, she built up more confidence with other computer skills. "I love it," said S. Dolores. "I never thought I'd get into computers like this." S. Mary Raynoha is also very pleased with her new abilities, which are quite helpful in her work translating and printing books and letters for people in the Czech and Slovak Republics, France, and the United Kingdom. "The computer and S. Therese are invaluable in my various ministries," she said.

Just as the sisters she teaches get satisfaction from learning new skills, S. Therese finds her job very gratifying. Helping the sisters communicate with their friends and family is truly a blessing. "Learning new skills opens many wonderful opportunities," she said. "If you really want to do something, there's nothing to stop you."

To read about other Racine Dominican Sisters, click here.