Sister Phyllis Supancheck, OP
Jubilarian 2026 – 60 Years a Sister
Prayer Ministry
Pray for those who are preparing to die.
60th Jubilee Reflection
My inspiration comes from Psalm 150: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Alleluia!
I was the oldest girl among seven children (4 boys and three girls). My parents were devout Catholics and raised us to love God above all else and to love every person no matter what his/her background. Our home and table were open to everyone– family, friend, and “stranger.” That philosophical way of life has stuck and continues to guide the way I live.
During 28 years with the Sisters of Charity of Rolling Hills, I was able to minister as a physical therapist doing home therapy, and as a 7th teacher in local Catholic schools. I developed special religious education programs; introduced special religious education programs, trained priests; established a summer camp for physically and mentally challenged persons in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles; assisted Hispanic families and helped to re-settle Vietnamese refugees. I also worked in California Universities and in Bangkok, Thailand training teachers.
In 1991, I moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan to teach in the education department of Aquinas College. It was here that I lived and worshipped with the Grand Rapids Dominicans and grew to love them and their way of meeting each person as a beloved child of God. I decided, after much discernment, that I wanted to live the rest of my religious life with them. After transferring, I was privileged to be missioned to Peru, Guatemala, Honduras, and the mountain villages of the Dominican Republic. I also served in Florida, New Mexico, Michigan, and Illinois. In those years, I mostly ministered with Hispanic persons as teacher trainer, pastoral associate, and director of religious education.
Now that I am retired due to Parkinson’s Disease, I am not retired. Do we ever really retire? No! I continue working as a receptionist at Aquinata, and as a mentor with Hispanic prisoners through Crossroads Bible Studies. I am an active member of the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation, and a contributing member of a variety of congregational committees, and loving caretaker for my many plants.
Thank You
“Sister Phyllis Supancheck was my supervising teacher in 1993 when I completed my student teaching at Burton Middle School in the Grand Rapids district. She was a consistent, calming influence and helped to guide me through a busy and challenging period. I will forever be grateful for her help and I often think about her contributions to my development as a person and teacher. Thank you, Sister Phyllis!”
~ Stephen Lebenz
50th Jubilee Reflection
“Lord, you formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me.” ~ Psalm 139
God has led me in ways that I could never dream of doing or being. Praise God!
It has been a long journey toward my life with the Grand Rapids Dominicans. I had belonged to a congregation for 28 years in the Los Angeles area, taught there in an elementary school for 17 years, worked with resettling persons from Vietnam and Central America, taught in the local seminary, worked with catechists of Developmentally Disabled Persons for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and taught in local universities.
After getting my doctorate in education I applied and accepted a position as Associate Professor in the education department of Aquinas College. This was the first contact I had with the Dominicans of Grand Rapids. I was offered the opportunity to live with the Sisters while I worked at the college.
This was the beginning of a wonderful experience with the Sisters whom I have grown to love. To serve with them has been a privilege.
