Poor Clare Nuns
25th Profession
Sister Mary Michael
Birth name: Mary C. Dean
Birth place: St. Louis
Entrance: 1993
First profession: 1996
Education: Associate of Arts, St. Mary’s Junior College, O’Fallon, 1980
Bachelor’s in sacred theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome, Italy, 1984
Master’s in dogma, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome, Italy, 1985
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Valle High School, Ste. Genevieve, 1988-90
Contemplative sister, Monastery of St. Clare, St. Louis, 1993-present
About Sister Mary Michael: When it comes to telling my vocation story, I pare it down and begin with “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” or “I took the scenic route” to the monastery. For many years, I looked at the possibility of a religious vocation, first with active sisters, then finally with contemplatives. God’s plans included several “delays” that brought unique educational experiences on both sides of the desk, travel to foreign countries and employment in various industries until, in 1993, after the Lord removed all obstacles, I entered the Poor Clares as an Extern Sister and in that vocation I find my joy and fulfillment in His will. My interests include art and music (guitar is my instrument of choice), archaeology, history, reading, and just “being” with God and His creation, especially on recollection Sundays or retreat days. When my duties as Extern Sister permit, “inside” work like secretarial, portress, sacristan and other various needs in the monastery fill my day and I am always available for errands outside the cloister for my community.
Poor Clare Nuns
60th Profession
Sister Mary Clare Van Hoogstraat
Birth name: Judith Mary Therese Van Hoogstraat
Birth place: St. Louis
Entrance: 1959
First profession: 1961
Final profession: 1964
Service in the archdiocese: Monastery of St. Clare, St. Louis
About Sister Mary Clare Van Hoogstraat: She has the distinction of being the first postulant to enter our monastic home in 1959 and has served in several capacities including councilor, sacristan, portress, altar bread work, arranging flowers and cooking. She loves listening to music, reading and prayer times. Having attended St. Anthony of Padua grade and high school, she developed a very strong devotion to St. Anthony. Throughout her religious life she has been able to find misplaced and “lost” items with the help of her saintly friend. She is currently our “in-house” prayer warrior.
