Sister of Charity Teresa Marie Laengle Celebrates Diamond Jubilee

Sister Teresa Marie Laengle celebrates 60 years with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Community this year. Born in Springfield, Ohio, Sister Teresa Marie attended St. Teresa School and later graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1961.

Sister Teresa Marie received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1966. In 1971, she earned her master’s degree in natural science from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Sister started her education ministry at St. Leo in Detroit, Michigan, in 1966. From 1971-’76, Sister taught chemistry at Elizabeth Seton High School in South Holland, Illinois. Five years later, she was named assistant principal of Elizabeth Seton, and from 1982 until 1987, she served as the school’s principal.

In 1988, Sister Teresa Marie’s ministry took her in a different direction; she accepted a position as an instrument technician at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Springfield, Ohio. Soon after, in 1991, Sister served as a science teacher at Catholic Central High School in Springfield, Ohio, until 1992 when she became the assistant principal and later in 1996 as principal until 2004.

Sister Teresa Marie says her greatest pleasure and her greatest challenge in ministry came from being a high school principal. “My greatest satisfaction occurred watching young people enter high school and watching their intellectual, spiritual, social, emotional and leadership growth over their four years of high school and the struggles that this entailed,” Sister recalled.

Currently, Sister Teresa Marie is the Dayton, Ohio, coordinator of the Ignatian Spirituality Project, which involves providing weekend retreats and days of reflection for those who are homeless and in recovery from addiction. “My work with those in recovery from addiction has taught me how individuals struggle each day to stay sober and their total reliance on the God of their understanding.” She also provides spiritual direction to those who seek to grow in their spiritual life.

Reflecting on her 60 years as a Sister of Charity, Sister Teresa Marie says, “My happiest memories involve making a difference in others’ lives by sharing God’s love with them.”

In her spare time Sister Teresa Marie enjoys photography, card making, art work (especially watercolors), reading, writing, singing, scrapbooking and spending time in nature.