Sister M. Rose Anne Schultz, CSC (Dawn Carol Schultz)

Throughout the 69 years Sister M. Rose Anne (Schultz) devoted to God as a woman religious, she held her 19-year ministry at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, closest to her heart. She took any opportunity to be on campus again after her retirement, whether that was catching a college event or reuniting with a former colleague. Her love for the college was exhibited through her contributions as the Division for Mission’s first vice president. She was passionate in maintaining a strong relationship between the college and Sisters of the Holy Cross, who founded the college in 1855. Sister Rose Anne died on May 17, 2023, at Saint Mary’s Convent. An alum of Saint Mary’s herself, she died just two days before the college is due to celebrate their graduating seniors with commencement ceremonies.

Dawn Carol Schultz, who preferred to be called by her middle name later in life, was born on January 26, 1934, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, as the only child of John and Ann (Krainz) Schultz. Carol spent most of her childhood in Wisconsin before moving with her parents to Los Angeles, California, around 1945. After starting fifth grade at St. Paul the Apostle School, Los Angeles, she quickly became interested in the Sisters of the Holy Cross, her teachers. She found them to be not only excellent educators, but very friendly and kind. According to Carol, she spent the next three years observing “the beautiful union between God and these holy women” and knew that she wanted to enter the convent by the end of eighth grade. As a teenager, she was described as cheerful, energetic and practical. In a recommendation letter sent to Mother Mary Agnes (Mahoney), CSC, Carol’s pastor wrote, “There is a true nobility of spirit in Carol which cannot fail to flower and bring forth the desired fruit in the soil of the religious life.” After graduating from high school in 1951, Carol entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame, on September 7, 1951. Upon reception of the holy habit, she became Sister Mary Rose Anne.

For 15 years, Sister Rose Anne taught in Holy Cross-sponsored elementary schools. In addition to teaching, she directed the choir at several schools, such as Queen of All Saints School, Michigan City, Indiana; St. Mary of the Lake School, Gary, Indiana; and Sacre Coeur School, Creve Coeur, Illinois. Sister Rose Anne was also the assistant principal of Sacre Coeur School from 1962 to 1964, and the principal from 1964 to 1970. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Saint Mary’s College in 1966. She later received her master’s degree in religious education from the University of Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, in 1971.

Sister Rose Anne was involved with religious education at the Fort Wayne-South Bend diocesan office in South Bend, Indiana, from 1971 to 1973. Between 1973 and 1984, she served as a councilor on the general leadership teams of Sister Kathleen Anne Nelligan, CSC, and Sister Olivia Marie (Hutcheson), CSC, respectively. At the time, she was the youngest person to serve on the general council. Sister Rose Anne was the director of volunteers at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, Boise, Idaho, for a year and seven months, and then served as the pastoral associate at St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, Illinois, until 1987. She ended the 1980s with a three-year term as councilor for the Congregation’s Midwest region.

From 1990 to 2009, Sister Rose Anne was a revered presence at Saint Mary’s College. While at Saint Mary’s, she held several positions, including chair of the Board of Regents, co-director of the Center for Spirituality, and vice president for mission. Some of her favorite years in active ministry were at the center. Even when her role in administration became full-time, her heart was still with the Center for Spirituality.

Sister Rose Anne’s steadfast belief in reaching out to those in need was evidenced by the many college pilgrimages to El Salvador and Mexico that were organized under her leadership. During her tenure as chair of the Board of Regents, she introduced the practice of board retreats and institutionalized the process of board education. In addition to creating a fruitful Division for Mission as its first vice president, she developed the Office for Civic and Social Engagement. Her support of ministry, service, pastoral guidance and reflection also led to the development of the Ministry Assistance Program. The sensitivity, insight and attention to detail that Sister Rose Anne brought to her various responsibilities was greatly appreciated by everyone at the college. It was clear through her work ethic that she began every day of her ministry at Saint Mary’s College with the importance of the relationship between the Sisters of the Holy Cross and the college at the forefront of her prayers.

Prior to Sister Rose Anne’s retirement, she was honored with the President’s Medal at the Saint Mary’s College commencement ceremony in 2009. This award is rarely and exclusively given to those who put forth exceptional contributions to the college and community. According to the press release announcing the award, “She willingly jumped into uncharted waters and with typical vision and courage created an office that now touches the lives of the vast majority of students, faculty and staff.”

Since 2009, Sister Rose Anne was involved with retreat work, spiritual direction and teaching first-year novices about the life of Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau, the Congregation’s founder. She sang in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto choir and enjoyed participating in Friends with Sisters. The college organization fosters relationships between sisters and students. Sister Rose Anne cherished the friendships she formed with Saint Mary’s College students, as she loved to socialize and be around young people. She was instrumental in the organization of the Mission Awards Ceremony, honoring Saint Mary’s students living the mission. The ceremony was inaugurated in 2018 and has since been renamed in Sister Rose Anne’s honor and in recognition of her deep love of the college. There is no doubt that the impact of her ministry at Saint Mary’s College will continue to be felt for generations. May Sister Rose Anne rest in God’s sweet embrace.

Services for Sister M. Rose Anne will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto.  Prayers in the Presence of the Body with memento begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Mass of Resurrection.  Masks are required.

Please see the Sisters of the Holy Cross website for further details.  Kaniewski Funeral Homes is assisting with arrangements.

—Written by Madisen Toth, Archivist
Sisters of the Holy Cross Archives and Records

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