The National Catholic Educational Association Distinguished Graduate Award

On Sunday, January 31, 2010, Sr. Joan Stoverink, ASC, Good Shepherd Class of 1966, was honored at the 11:00 a.m. Mass as the 2010 Good Shepherd Catholic School NCEA Distinguished Graduate. Fr. Chris Holtmann presented the award to her and thanked her for her work in Catholic education.

The award is presented to a graduate "who exemplifies the highest qualities of Catholic Education and has rendered distinguished service to the Catholic Church and the United States of America."

Sr. Joan taught for 25 years in Catholic elementary schools and now is Pastoral Assistant and Director of Religious Education at two small parishes in the Belleville Diocese in Illinois. She also assists with RCIA, liturgy planning, sacramental preparation, pastoral visiting and more. In her words, "The variety of experiences keeps me busy and happy. God wants us to be happy and I am!"