The Racine Dominicans are involved in various ministries in 13 states: Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin.

Take a moment to meet a few of our sisters ...

It's All Happenin' at the Zoo

"Something tells me
it's all happenin' at the zoo.
I do believe it.
I do believe it's true"
- Simon and Garfunkel

Growing up on a farm near Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin provided an excellent learning ground for the future college biology professor, Sister Cecile Boehmer. "I've always been interested in plants and animals,"
S. Cecile said.

A Racine Dominican Sister for the past 61 years, now the retired teacher continues to share her talents in many ways, a favorite being as volunteer for the Racine Zoo. "I enjoy being with the people, and this lets me continue to teach informally while I work in an area I've always loved," she said. For the past 10 years, S. Cecile has volunteered around 18 hours each month answering questions of children and adults and explaining about various animals in the zoo's Discovery Center. She also helps with other zoo events as needed.

In addition, S. Cecile assists older sisters with their physical therapy, drives them to appointments and cares for the aviary at Siena Center, home of the Racine Dominicans. She not only cleans the aviary and cares for the birds, she also tends to the new babies when they hatch. She is the drummer for the sisters' keyboard group and was the drummer for the sisters' orchestra when they had it.

S. Cecile grew up the eldest of seven children. When World War II broke out, taking her father's hired man off to service, Cecile, then about 11 years old, replaced him in doing chores to help her father keep the family's 300 acre farm running. "Each day I'd help with milking 30 cows," she remembered as one of her chores.

After entering the Dominican community, S. Cecile was able to continue her education with a grant to attend St. Catherine College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to study biology. The farm girl from central Wisconsin later went on to earn a master's degree and then a doctorate in Botany.

Today you'll find her still exploring the wonders of nature and sharing her wisdom - just take a little break and go off to visit the zoo.

Teaching, the Love of Her Life

For Sister Carolyn Leffler, a professed Racine Dominican for 55 years, teaching isn't just a job, it's the love of her life. "I especially love teaching the little ones," she said. "They really want to learn and are so enthusiastic about everything."

Knowing children love games, S. Carolyn developed many learning games through the years to help reinforce the skills her students are learning. "I would always have a carpet in my classroom with the alphabet on the outside," she said laughingly. "I'd call out a letter and the children in the center would have to hop to that letter." It's hard to tell whether the teacher or her students enjoyed the game more. She missed having a carpet for learning games when she left classroom teaching and was grateful when the principal provided one for her tutoring area.

It's hard to tell whether the teacher or her students enjoyed the game more. She missed having a carpet for learning games when she left classroom teaching and was grateful when the principal provided one for her tutoring area.

When the school population diminished two years ago and fewer classroom teachers were needed, S. Carolyn began tutoring children at St. Angela three days a week and assisting with the latchkey program everyday after school. She also substitute teaches whenever there's a need. Known for her infectious laugh and usually seen with a smile on her face, she is respected by children of all ages. They appreciate her commitment and cheerful way of helping them learn.

A native of Detroit, S. Carolyn taught for many years in grades one through four in Catholic schools in Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. Most recently she taught first grade at St. Angela School in Roseville, Michigan.

"She's so dedicated to whatever school or parish she's ministered at," commented S. Sharon Simon. "And she's a marvelous teacher - one of those quiet people who never draws attention to herself, but who gives much to others and enjoys doing so."

To see other stories about Racine Dominican Sisters, lightly hold your curser over "Meet Our Sisters" in the "About Us" link.