GOING HOME TO HONOR A GREAT WOMAN OF SERVICE

SISTER DAVID CLARE REASBECK,  SCN

Jo Ann Reasbeck became Sister David Clare Reasbeck SCN in 1950

Today I am going to my home parish of Saint Theresa to honor a great woman who spent many years serving the members of our parish, especially the youth, Sister David Clare SCN. She served in our parish from 1965-1984.

In August, 1965, Sister David Clare received word from Nazareth to be ready to go to Crossroads Public School and St. Theresa Parish, in Rhodelia, Kentucky as superior, principal and teacher of grades five and six. There, in Meade County, Kentucky, Sister David Clare ministered for nineteen years.

Sister Anne Magruder, one of the sisters who was with Sister David Clare in Rhodelia, said that she learned so much about hospitality from Sister David Clare who was always ready to welcome others.

The parish at Rhodelia had family choirs under the direction of Sister David Clare. Parents and their children sang at Sunday Masses from the choir loft.

At that time, St. Theresa parish had two seminarians - Rev. Bob Ray who was ordained in 1969 and Rev. Ron Knott ordained in 1970. The SCNs always welcomed these seminarians to meals at their convent home whenever they were in Rhodelia. Sister David Clare planned and directed the music for each at their first Masses after ordination.

A former student at Rhodelia recalled fond memories of Sister David Clare who, after school provided roller skating, or parties, or movies, for the children. The former student said she decided to be a teacher because of Sister David Clare’s example of attention to the needs of the children.

Sister David Clare, with her brother Father David Reasbeck after whom she was named. Father Reasbeck died in 2011

Sister David Clare celebrated her 90th birthday on August 26, 2021. She called twice to tell me about all the many wonderful cards she got from her former students. "So many!" Beloved by all, she will return today, with Father Bob Ray and Father Ron Knott, to be honored by the parishioners of Saint Theresa in celebration of her 90th birthday.  This photo was taken at the Saint Thresa Picnic on August 14 of this year when we celebrated the revealing of Phase One of the new Saint Theresa Family Life Center. In her honor, I offer these recorded songs - Happy Birthday and Going Home.