By Dawn Waller Lueck
CST Class of 1986
While growing up, I always saw my two great aunts, who were Catholic Sisters, once a year. I was always intrigued by them. Sister Lorraine was the quieter one, but she had a wisdom about her that I recognized early on. She always asked me about school and definitely conveyed her opinions about the importance of education. I remember always wanting to be at my best. When I chose to attend the College of St. Teresa, I think Sister Lorraine was a part of that decision. I admired her greatly. She was an intelligent, accomplished woman of faith. I always felt she was a kindred spirit. She was an English teacher and then went on to become the principal of Cathedral High School in Winona. I, too, chose to be an English teacher and later a principal. We even had the same office in the Cathedral building. Sister Lorraine was my stability during college. Not only did I admire her, but I grew to have a deep love for her. I would visit her in the basement of St. Teresa Hall when she worked the yearbook, the Aldine. I would pop in for a quick chat, and always left feeling calmer. She was so up-to-date on all the events in the world, but she had a way of making you the focus of the conversation. I also learned that it was okay to read fluffy novels, as well as classics and heavier literature. Sister Lorraine was a voracious reader, but she also liked Danielle Steele books, and we would talk about the latest ones.
On Sundays, I would go to Alverna Hall after mass and have brunch with her and the Sisters. I would often bring friends with me, and sometimes I would go solo. Sister Lorraine explained and introduced me to several members of our McCarthy family and helped me draw connections to them. She also introduced me to her “Sister family.” Family was important to her, and I was always in awe of the strong community and bond of the Franciscan Sisters who lived at Alverna Hall. They were supportive of one another, prayed together, and they were strong, accomplished women. I was so blessed to have this insight and view that others may not have had. Sister Lorraine had a quick wit and the McCarthy twinkle in her eye. She had seen many hardships, challenges, and wrongdoings in her life, but she was not jaded or judgmental. She drew on her faith, spirit, community, and intellect to get her through those times and continued to inspire young women to reach their full potential. As you can see, she was my inspiration. I realized I could become a teacher, and later a principal, drawing on my faith, family, and community for support. She embodied the Teresan values and lived a life rooted in strong faith, values, and service. I am forever grateful that we shared our Teresan education and experiences. It was Franciscan Sisters, like Sister Lorraine, who were amazing role models to students at St. Teresa. They helped guide us on our future paths. What a blessing for us all!
