Sister Gertrude Tanner, OP, is celebrating 50 years as a professed Sister with the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs in Columbus, Ohio.
Earning Master’s degrees from the University of Dayton, Ohio, and Catholic University in Washington, DC, Sr. Tanner first ministered for 17 years in teaching and administrative positions at schools in Ohio, New Mexico and Pennsylvania.
After a retreat in 1978 she was inspired to begin preparing for catechetical/religious education ministry. She then took on new opportunities, including service in evangelization out of St. Mary Center in Waverly, Ohio, and in religious education for the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, and for the Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky.
For 19 years Sr. Tanner served on the founding pastoral and adult education staff of St. James the Apostle Parish in New Port Richey, Fla. Today she is a pastoral associate and director of adult formation for St. Patrick Parish in Ottumwa and St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Bloomfield, where she resides. She has served in these positions since 2007 and enjoys working with the parishioners.
“I never get bored; I appreciate learning new things every day,” she said. “I enjoy each new day with each surprise and challenge.”
