- Birth Name: Clara Loretta
- Current Name: Michelle
- Religious Name: Mary Michelle
- Last Name: Meyers
- Mother's Name: Eva (Schmit) Meyers
- Father's Name: Michael Meyers
- Hometown: Montrose, SD
- Entry Date: January 6, 1949
- Current Status: Deceased
- Death Date: February 14, 2025
- Additional Info: View Sister Michelle’s Obituary
Education:
University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
1962 - Northern State Teacher’s College, Aberdeen, SD - Bachelor of Science in Education
1967 - University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN - Master of Science in Chemistry
Catholic University, Washington, DC -
1987 - Weston School of Theology (Boston College School of Theology), Boston, MA - Master of Theological Studies
Biography:
Sister Michelle earned a Bachelor's degree in education, with honor, from Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD, in l962. She received a National Science Foundation Fellowship and obtained a Master’s degree in chemistry, Magna Cum Laude, in 1967, from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, and a Master's degree in religious studies in 1987 from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, Chestnut Hill, MA.
Sister Michelle taught at the high school and college levels for many years before becoming the director of religious education in several Minnesota parishes. She has served as a college professor, instructor, retreat director and speaker, and is active in women's studies and social justice ministries. With Sister Kay O’Neil and Lois Willette she cofounded the New Ulm Diocesan Task Force on Women in Ministry in 1976. The Sisters received the New Ulm Diocesan Distinguished Service Award in 1991 and the Outstanding Faculty Award from St. Mary’s University, Minneapolis, MN in 1993. In 1997 they began conducting retreats and seminars in many states for numerous colleges and universities, religious groups, health care institutions, businesses, and social service agencies.
In addition to teaching, conducting retreats and writing, Sister Michelle was active within the Presentation Sisters Congregation in proposing experimental Community living, changing the habit, and working to support the elimination of nuclear weapons. She participated in and facilitated eleven of the Care in Community sessions and has served on the Leadership, Formation, and Social Justice Teams and the Finance Committee. Sister Michelle’s primary interests are communication, self-esteem, assertiveness, peacemaking and spirituality.
1951-1955 - St. Martin, Huron, SD - Eighth Grade
1955-1956 - Sacred Heart Junior High School, Aberdeen, SD
1956-1957 - St. Mary, Willmar, MN - Eighth Grade
1957-1961 - Notre Dame High School, Mitchell, SD
1961-1962 Sacred Heart Junior High School, Aberdeen, SD
1962-1963 - Notre Dame High School, Mitchell, SD
1963-1965 - St. Mary High School, Dell Rapids, SD
1965-1970 - Notre Dame High School, Mitchell, SD
1970-1972 - Southwest State College and Holy Redeemer, Marshall, MN - Science Department, Parish Worker and Training for Area Religious Education Teachers
1972-1973 - Presentation College, Aberdeen, SD - Assistant to President
1973-1977 - Southwest State College and Holy Redeemer Marshall, MN - Science Department, Parish Worker and Training for Area Religious Education Teachers
1977-1985 - Minnesota Extension and Community Education at St. Cloud State University, Southwest State University and Mankato State University - Adjunct Instructor of Women’s Studies/Continuing Education
1977-1985 - Minnesota Adult Education at Hutchinson Technical Institute, Willmar Technical Institute and Mankato Technical Institute - Instructor of Assertiveness Courses
1980-81-82 - Winter Semesters, Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. Paul, MN
1987-Present - St. Mary’s University of Minnesota Graduate Center, Minneapolis, MN - Adjunct Professor, Seminar Instructor, Conference Keynoter, Retreat Director, Counselor