Sister Anna Rose Lueken retires after 40 years in education

Benedictine Sister Anna Rose Lueken is shown with students at St. Ambrose School in Seymour on the last day of the 2009-10 school year. Sister Anna Rose is retiring on June 30 after 40 years in Catholic education. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

The story still brings a laugh to Benedictine Sister Anna Rose Lueken.

It happened on a day when a boy in the first grade was sent to her office for some offense.

As a principal, Sister Anna Rose has always tried to give children the opportunity to explain their side of the situation.

When she did this time, the boy responded, “I really had a bad night. I couldn’t sleep. I think I have too many sins inside me that keep me awake.”

Sister Anna Rose laughs at that memory and says, “All those sins were bothering a first grader.”

Then she adds, “I feel children need someone to listen to them and hear where they’re coming from. Some of them come from tough situations. I try to respond to their needs so I can help them better.”

It’s one of the approaches that Sister Anna Rose prides herself on during her 40 years as a Catholic educator in the archdiocese—a career that will come to an end on June 30 when the 71-year-old sister retires as the principal of St. Ambrose School in Seymour.

“Sister Anna Rose has given her life to God, and much of that life has been for the education of youth,” says Franciscan Sister Joanita Koors, a friend who is the principal of St. Mary School in North Vernon.

“Students have grown spiritually and academically because of her. She loves the children and is an advocate for the poor. She also has a sense of humor.”

Her sense of humor has led her to some unusual situations. When she was principal of Pope John XXIII School in Madison, she agreed to kiss a pig if the students sold a required number of pies during a fundraiser. She also dyed her hair pink when the students met another challenge.

“I have a picture of me and my pink hair right here in my office,” she says with another laugh.

Setting goals for students, teachers and herself has been a main focus during her seven years as a teacher and her 33 years as a principal—all part of a career that has included stays at St. Anthony of Padua School in Clarksville, St. Bartholomew School in Columbus, the former St. Paul School in Tell City and St. Therese of the Infant Jesus [Little Flower] School in Indianapolis.

“I try to pass along a love for education and a respect for each other,” she says. “I challenge the students to try different activities because they all can excel in something. I would be cheering them on in whatever they do.”

She especially remembers a time at St. Bartholomew School in Columbus when a family in need moved to the area. She took them under her care, finding the family a place to live and obtaining clothing for the three children who came to the school. The family stayed in Columbus for six years before they moved again. She lost touch with them until the oldest of the three children called her a few years ago—more than 20 years later.

“She called from Georgia, wanting to know where I was and if I was still around,” Sister Anna Rose recalls. “That really touched my heart to think that someone remembered me for a good thing that I had done for them. We’ve been communicating ever since.”

As retirement nears, her plans include returning to Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove to live. Besides her work in education, she has been the librarian at the monastery for years, working on weekends and during the summer to take care of the books that the Benedictine sisters need for their classes and spirituality.

“I won’t miss the paperwork, but I’ll miss the children,” she says about retiring. “I’ve always loved the children and being able to help them. The younger kids especially light up my life. They are so open to learning.” †