Prodigal sister

After traveling world, nun from Joliet is back at home to head St. Jude School

When Susan Sallese announced her decision to enter the Dominican Congregation of St. Cecelia in Nashville, Tenn., her father made two predictions: she would never return to Joliet or ever see much of the rest of the world.

Sister Mary Elizabeth Sallese -- as Susan is now known -- said her father is laughing pretty hard now.

"I've been to Germany and France as well as Italy for two years, and now I'm back in Joliet," Sallese said. "God has a wonderful sense of humor, and that's why I'm so grateful for the vows of obedience. He has a great plan in mind and through obedience we find holiness."

Sallese was in Rome serving as the director for the Domus Sanctae Mariae Guadalupe (a house of studies for U.S. nuns who study at the Pontifical Universities in Rome) when she learned her next assignment would be principal at St. Jude School in Joliet.

Nor did she question the assignment since Sallese's order perceives any directive coming from the mother superior as the will of God. Moreover, Sallese brings plenty of experience to the role.

She has taught all elementary school grades except first and has more than 10 years of school principal experience, both elementary and secondary. While serving as principal for St. Cecilia Academy in Nashville, Sallese led a $10 million capital campaign. She also led the capital campaign for her congregation, raising more than $46 million for a new chapel, addition and renovation.

Parents and students alike are delighted with Sallese and the two nuns who accompanied her -- Sisters Maria Clemens and Mary Clare -- who are teaching first grade and fourth grade, respectively.

"The sisters have sparked great interest and discussion amongst the kids because of the lifestyle they have chosen to take," said James Broniarczyk of Joliet, the father of Madelyn. "They have a very organized day of prayer and teaching and quiet time, and the habit makes a strong distinction between them and the other teachers."

Ann Hulbert of Minooka said religion is her son Ben's favorite subject, thanks to Clare. She is impressed with the genuine love the sisters have for the children.

"As a parent, I want to see that every child is treated equally and loved equally," Hulbert said. "You can tell that they really enjoy teaching the children. I see joy on the faces of every child."

Sallese's introduction to the Nashville congregation came in the late '70s when she was a student at Providence High School in New Lenox. Several of the nuns began teaching there; their upbeat devotion to their faith attracted several students to later join the order. Sallese considered it, but had other plans for her life.

"I wanted to get married, have six kids and do wonderful things in the world," Sallese said.

She studied psychology and social work at the University of St. Francis and, after her 1984 graduation and before beginning her new job, decided to make a retreat at the Nashville order to thank God for his blessings.

"I felt so grown up," Sallese said. "But as I was sitting on the airplane looking out over the wing and the clouds, the thought hit me, 'Do you remember when you wanted to become a sister and give your whole life over to God?'"

She began to wonder if Jesus had really called her four years ago. After completing her retreat, Sallese began working as a drug and rehabilitation counselor at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet. The following year Sallese entered the convent.

"The draw was so powerful," she said. "Leaving the most exciting job I ever had was a real challenge, but I tell kids it's like falling in love with a person and that Christ is really a person. It was like setting your hands to the plow. I have never looked back."

Despite her many administrative duties, Sallese's immediate priority is personally getting to know each and every one of the children under her care.

"Today I colored with the preschoolers then watched the fourth-graders paint in art class," Sallese said.