DELPHOS, Ohio (WLIO) - The Sisters of Notre Dame are celebrating a milestone anniversary in 2025.
The international congregation has been around since 1850, when two women in Germany began to care for orphaned children. Eventually, the sisters made their way to America, and one of the first places where they began their work in the United States was Delphos. Now, 175 years later, the students and staff of Delphos St. John's wanted to thank the resident Sisters of Notre Dame for their continued service with a brand new tree and marker outside of their home. Several of those sisters are Delphos natives themselves, and they say it's been a delight to get involved with people in their hometown.
"It's been the greatest joy of these past nine years, to come back to my home territory, to work with family names that I've known for decades, and to see the vitality, the goodness of the parish, of the families and of the school," said Sr. Elayne Bockey, who also teaches Spanish in the high school.
Most people that have been through Delphos St. John's can say that they had a sister as a teacher at some point in their time as a student.
Most people that have been through Delphos St. John's can say that they had a sister as a teacher at some point in their time as a student.
"I think they help us grow, and some of them teach," said St. John's senior Maisy Friedrich. "I think they just help us grow in our faith, but also in our learning. This past year, during National Sisters Week, I got to talk to some of them. I didn't really get to talk to them before, but they're very fun to be around."
Next year, the sisters will be celebrating 150 years since they began their work in Delphos. They would like to thank Delphos Granite Works, Mox Nursery, and the students and staff of St. John's for teaming up to make the new tree possible.
