We celebrate our Jubilarians!
We honor these four Presentation Sisters for their over 245 years of service to those in need: Sister Vianney Mannie, 75 years; Sister Michelle Meyers, 75 years; Sister Virginia McCall, 70 years; Sister Vicky Larson, 25 years. Daily, they continue living out their vocational call, working for justice, alleviating oppression and speaking out for those without a voice. We thank them for their dedication to making our world a better place for all to live.
Sister Vianney
Sister Vianney Mannie celebrates her 75th Jubilee
Sister Vianney (Aileen Loretta) Mannie was born in Edgeley, ND, and grew up in Turton and Watertown, SD. She received her Associate’s in Teaching from Presentation College, Aberdeen, SD, and Bachelor’s in Education from Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD.
For over 40 years, Sister Vianney shared her joyful and compassionate spirit as a teacher and administrator in Catholic schools across eastern South Dakota, Anoka, MN, and Miles City, MT. Her joy and dedication to serve others continued as the Director of Religious Education at St. Mary Parish, Sioux Falls, SD, and then as the Director of the Learning Resource Center and Assessment Coordinator at National American University in Sioux Falls for 20 years.
For Sister Vianney, the focus of religious life has been to develop a deep spirituality and to be of service to her Community and others. She shares, “God has truly blessed me with love and affirmation from my family, relatives, sisters, priests, friends and former students. After all these years of ministry and prayer, I thank God for the call, the joy, the fulfillment and the grace of perseverance.”
Currently, Sister Vianney lives in Sioux Falls and serves in prayer and part-time Ministry.
Sister Michelle
Sister Michelle Meyers celebrates her 75th Jubilee
Sister Michelle (Clara) Meyers was born in Chamberlain, S.D., and raised in Montrose, SD. She earned a Bachelor’s in Education from Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD; a Master’s in Chemistry, from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN; and a Master’s in Theological Studies from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, Chestnut Hill, MA.
Sister Michelle’s educational ministry spanned over 60 years. A beloved teacher, she shared her smile and love of life with both high school and college students. She also served as the Director of Religious Education at numerous parishes and inspired and encouraged others as a speaker, retreat and spiritual director.
Always in service to others, Sister Michelle served on the congregational leadership council. She worked tirelessly in advocating for women in social justice and peacemaking ministries and published numerous articles on justice issues. Along with receiving many awards throughout the years, she also cofounded the New Ulm Diocesan Task Force on Women in Ministry with Sister Kay O’Neil.
Family is very important to Sister Michelle. Since moving to Sioux Falls in 2020, she enjoys visiting with her nieces and nephews who bring home cooked meals when they visit.
Sister Virginia
Sister Virginia McCall celebrates her 70th Jubilee
Sister Virginia McCall grew up in Mitchell, SD. She earned her Teaching Certificate at Presentation College and went on to receive her Bachelor’s in Sociology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI and Master’s in Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
An educator and principal in Catholic Schools throughout South Dakota and Minnesota for 15 years, Sister Virginia’s compassionate heart led her to work in pastoral ministry in Sioux Falls, SD and Mound, MN, so she could “be with those who were hurting.” Her gentle and loving presence moved her to serve as Director of Ministry to the Divorced, Widowed and Separated in the Diocese of Davenport, IA, the Archdioceses of Dubuque, IA and Miami, FL.
Returning to Aberdeen, she served two terms on the Congregational Leadership Council, 1982 and 1994 and then as Congregational President from 1998 – 2006.
A sabbatical led Sister Virginia to Kaoma, Zambia, Africa, where she experienced an inner invitation to work with the poor. For over 13 years she opened her heart, listening to the needs of the people, working, collaborating and assisting through sustainability projects.
Retired, Sister Virginia and her certified therapy goldendoodle Briney, visit nursing homes, bringing comfort and joy to residents.
Sister Vicky
Sister Vicky Larson celebrates her 25th Jubilee
Sister Vicky Larson grew up near Madison, MN. Her love of caring for others led her to achieve Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nursing at SDSU, Brookings, SD, and a PhD at Barry University. S. Vicky began her life of service as a nurse in Tyndall, Aberdeen and Sioux Falls, SD. For the past 19 years she served as a nursing professor at Presentation College, St. Catherine University and Augustana University. She finds joy sharing the art and science of nursing with new nurses. Sister Vicky currently serves on the Presentation Sisters Leadership Team.
In her 25 years of religious life, Sister Vicky has been enriched by new and growing inter-congregational organizations such as Giving Voice, the Conference of Presentation Sisters and the Leadership Collaborative. She says, “We can support one another to live our call, experience the vibrancy of religious life, and share Christ’s mission with the next generation of sisters and lay associates. I look forward to what God will do through inter-congregational collaboration in the next 25 years!”
In her spare time, she enjoys playing the harp, walking outdoors, spending time with her community and visiting her nine nieces and nephews.
