Sister Carmen Rostar, OP
Jubilarian 2025 — 60 Years a Sister
Prayer Ministry
Pray for emergency responders and those in crisis.
60th Jubilee Reflection
John 6:67-69: When Jesus saw people leaving, he turned to the twelve and asked, “Do you also wish to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of everlasting life.”
This profound act of faith has guided me throughout my life as I have continually sought a deeper relationship with God.
A Blessed Journey
My ministry began in education, teaching elementary grades before becoming a principal. I later transitioned to diocesan ministry and was eventually called to serve as a Pastoral Minister. After a sabbatical at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, I returned to Grand Rapids, embarking on a new and fulfilling ministry—teaching ESL for the Diocese. For 20 years I also served as Director of WORD~ESL, a role that expanded into preparing students for U.S. citizenship and attending their Oath Ceremonies—one of the most rewarding experiences of my ministerial life.
Throughout this journey, I was blessed to walk alongside my mentor and dear friend, Sr. Janice Mankowski, who shared many of my ministerial roles, including two decades in ESL and citizenship education. Sr. Joyce Ann Hertzig also joined us in ministry at GRCC for many years, further enriching our work.
One of the greatest gifts God has given me is the awareness of others’ needs and the ability to connect them with those who can help. This calling led me, along with four other Dominican Sisters (see photo), to begin our ministry at The Store House in 2023.
Words often fall short in expressing the gratitude I feel. From my parents and family to my community, friends, and students, I have been blessed and shaped by Christian values and service. I owe much to the many mentors within my Dominican Community who have guided me over these sixty years. My heart is full of gratitude—blessings to all!
Biography Reflection
“Here I am Lord; I Come to Do Your Will.”
This scripture theme was used for the celebration at the time of my first profession in 1972. It still rings true today. Who knows the will of God? I search in Scripture, tradition and personal experience to follow God’s will for me and all Creation. Thomas Merton’s insight reassures me: “The desire to please God does in fact please Him.” I pray that I will always have the desire to do God’s will.
A s the ninth of ten children of Anna and George Rostar, I was born in Muskegon and belonged to Sacred Heart Parish. I was taught by Dominican Sisters from first grade through graduation at Aquinas College. When I came to Marywood, I was surprised to be enrolled in college for I just wanted to be a Sister and had not given a thought to furthering my education. Little did I know then how the joy of learning would continue forever!
I was thrilled when I was able to study theology at Mundelein College in Chicago . . . right on my lake, for Lake Michigan has always been very special to me. So it is, too, that the cottage in Muskegon is a place of blessing for me. Here I find a space for retreat, prayer and pondering.
From elementary grades to adults, teaching in one venue or another has been my profession all of these fifty years. The classroom teaching experience expanded with parish ministry and RCIA – both enriched me and helped me develop skills beyond those of the classroom environment.
Most recently, working with immigrants has been both rewarding and heart breaking. Life has come full circle as I recall that my parents came from Slovakia and learned English here in Michigan. Now I am teaching English to speakers of other languages who have come to this country. In this I find deep joy as I witness their ability to express themselves more effectively, find work and better their lives here in America. The circle is complete; the good work continues; trusting that this is God’s will, I give great thanks for these years.
