Marilyn McElhaney

Marilyn McElhaney (College of Notre Dame, Class of 1968) values the strong influence that the Sisters of Notre Dame have had on her life. She can trace that influence to her days at the College of Notre Dame when she took a sociology class from Sr. Roseanne Murphy. Sr. Roseanne's passion and joy in teaching sociology was contagious and Marilyn soon changed her major from history to social sciences. Marilyn loved her time at CND and made life-long friendships there.

Marilyn later attended graduate school at Santa Clara University and received an M.A. in Counseling Psychology. She then taught in Catholic elementary and high schools for 20 years. Most of her students were first-generation Americans whose parents immigrated from the Philippines or Latin America. Now retired, Marilyn volunteers her time in the Stephen Ministry, which is a national program in both Catholic and Protestant churches, in which volunteers provide a listening Christian presence for people who are going through life transitions.

In retirement, Marilyn has also had the opportunity to combine her favorite things – spirituality, love of learning, and travel - through her participation in three European pilgrimages. Marilyn counts the pilgrimage to Germany and France with Franciscan priest Richard Rohr as one of the highlights of her life. The pilgrimage led by Sr. Roseanne, to Cuvilly, the French village where St. Julie Billiart grew up, and to the Notre Dame Motherhouse in Namur, Belgium, was equally inspiring and enriching.

Sr. Roseanne was also Marilyn's sponsor when she became an Associate in 2003. Being an Associate has given Marilyn "companions on the journey," and an opportunity to be part of a vibrant and growing community." Days of prayer and retreats have "deepened and broadened her understanding of Christ's presence in our lives, "she said. In appreciation for the Sisters' strong and positive presence in her life, Marilyn makes annual contributions to the Sisters, and has decided to remember the Sisters in her will. The Sisters are grateful for her long-time friendship and commitment to their work.