By Patricia Schiisler
Joy permeated the room whenever Sr. Anna was there. She had a presence of warmth that drew people together. I met Sr. Anna as a fresh, new teacher at one Catholic school, and she was the parish liaison. That would have been about thirty-five years ago or more. She was busy at the school teaching and planning various activities. I was the teacher-librarian working with the whole school, so our paths crossed often. She always took the moment to greet you and ask how you were doing. Those introductory years were merely a get-acquainted time as they passed with a subtle familiarity. There was something about Sr. Anna that I loved.
Time passed as I was assigned to different schools, and I never gave much thought to Sr. Anna being busy with her own pursuits. A friend of mine convinced me to apply for a transfer to a school closer to where I lived. As the school year began, one day Sr. Anna walked into the library. With a greeting, she walked to the religion section. Within minutes, she passed by the circulation desk with an armful of books. “I will return these books when I’m finished with them. You can trust me.” I needed to get Sr. Anna a library card, I soon reasoned. She continued, “I know you from somewhere.” That’s when it dawned on me that we had worked together previously at a school, and yes, I certainly could trust Sr. Anna.
Sr. Anna came to the school quite often. We would stop and have a short hallway visit. The school staff loved and welcomed her whenever she came. I gradually learned to know her better when we would have a staff lunch or other gathering she was invited to. She was very good friends with the classroom teacher whom I taught Preparation time lessons to. Sr. Anna would be teaching many religion lessons in that particular classroom. It was obvious that she was a qualified teacher from the professional way she taught. The students were awestruck and attentive. Sometimes, she taught the lessons over at the church with props, or she went outdoors to spend time with nature. She visited the Holy Land during that time and sent our classroom update visits over the internet.
Ten years passed quickly, and I was soon eligible to retire. Being given a temporary short-term contract in my previous classroom, one day Sr. Anna stopped by to visit. She had a handful of brochures. She handed me one and, in her beautiful way, told me she wanted my husband and me to join her on a pilgrimage. We had never travelled to Europe, so I convinced my husband that this would be a wonderful trip being in a group.
The pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes with Sr. Anna and her group was one of the most memorable times of my life. She cared for everybody and always had various faith-filled activities to pass the time. The pilgrimage offered us a chance to attend Mass at many locations. She asked for someone to proclaim at the large basilica in Burgos, Spain. I was given the opportunity.
Sr. Anna had a scripture study group every Thursday, which I joined shortly after retiring. I spent eight years studying scripture weekly with Sr. Anna leading. I learned that Sr. Anna had a Master’s degree in Theology from Collegeville, Minnesota, which would explain her love for scripture. She had a very impressive list of achievements. When I enrolled in my second year of Lay Ministry, I wanted Sr. Anna to be my Spiritual Director. I couldn’t think of anyone else I wanted to share my spirituality with.
Sr. Anna Aulie with Patricia Schiisler and Deacon Eric Gurash at her Lay Formation Commissioning.
I wouldn’t trade the time I spent with Sr. Anna for anything in the world. She was very social and loved to reach out to people. She was one of the most intelligent people that I had ever met. Conversations with her over those years helped me learn more about my faith than I ever could have. Sister Agnes Louise “Anna” Aulie, RNDM, was a beautiful person with many qualities such as compassion, love, kindness, intelligence, friendliness, care for others, and the list goes on. She had a beauty that shone inside and out. I will miss you forever, Sr. Anna, and treasure the time I had with you.
