Sister Donna Schmitt was born in Rickardsville, Iowa, to Anna Marie and Raymond Schmitt. She attended St. Joseph School, Rickardsville, and Leo High School, Holy Cross, Iowa. Sister Donna received her bachelor’s degree from Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, Iowa, and her master’s degree in education from Boston University. She taught at St. John Brebeuf, Niles, Illinois; and St. Mary’s, Cascade, Iowa. Sister ministered as Director of Education (DRE) in Illinois at St. Marcelline, Schaumburg; St. Joseph, Downers Grove and St. John Brebeuf, Niles; and in Louisa, Kentucky at St. Jude. She has served for 24 years as the DRE at St. Gilbert Parish in Grayslake, Illinois, where she designs programs for students ages preschool through 9th grade; works with adults in a biweekly program that discusses the Sunday Gospel; organizes the SPRED program (students with special needs); and assist families in the grieving process through planning wakes and funerals. “With the support of the Sisters of St. Francis, I have begun new ministries, fulfilled dreams, and followed the mission of Jesus to bring about the kingdom,” she said of her Jubilee.
Sister Donna Schmitt
