Earline Marie Roussel
February 3, 1926 - October 4, 2004
The gifted young journalists of The Viking Voice, celebrating the diamond jubilee of their beloved Sister Mary Germaine, little knew it would be their farewell tribute.
Veritas cannot improve on their words, but will only supply a brief introduction. Following the memorial please see the petitions from the funeral Mass in LaPlace, and the press release to the Clarion Herald:
Twins Earl and Earline Marie Roussel were the sixth and seventh of nine children. Their parents were Carmen Aymé and Morgan Roussel.
At an early age, Earline heard the call to be a teaching sister. As Sister Mary Germaine she set out to serve. She put her hand to the plow, (Luke 9: 62) and never looked back. She loved God’s children with a never-ending love; they kept her young.
Throughout her life, Germaine met physical challenges which she overcame each time for the sake of her mission. She received many awards, including “Honorary State Senator” in 1988. Her most prestigious award was to be named one of only eleven Distinguished Principals in the U.S. by the National Catholic Education Association in 1997. She worked actively for children until she was stricken with cancer, which took her life in the space of only a few months after her jubilee. She will live forever in her children’s hearts throughout their lives.
After quality education, which she addressed as teacher, principal, and diocesan supervisor in Baton Rouge, one of her great efforts was fund-raising for her parochial school at St. Joan of Arc; she was successful in major building programs, as well as in providing scholarships for children who could not afford tuition. She remembered her own childhood, and had a boundless heart for needy children.
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Happy Anniversary Sister Germaine |
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by
Lakaysha Correa and Quincy Tran, 8th grade journalism students, Sr. Germaine is celebrating the 60th anniversary of profession of her vows. She attended Paulina and Lutcher elementary schools and graduated from Lutcher High School; she went on to St. Mary’s Dominican College, LSU, Boston College, Marquette University, Catholic University, and Loyola University of the South. "I was twelve at my Confirmation retreat when I began thinking about becoming a sister," Sr. Germaine stated. The Sisters of St. Dominic prepared her for Confirmation, and she chose them, because they were dedicated to teaching. She added, "St. Dominic is special to me because he gave his life to prayer, to preaching and teaching the Word of God." Three years later Earline joined the novitiate in
Rosaryville. . . There she prayed, meditated, studied Sacred
Scripture, and read of the Dominican Saints. Upon taking her vows
Sr. Germaine said, "I felt supremely happy, and ready to give
my life to God." In 1944, her first assignment was to St. Peter’s
School in Reserve. She taught in Hammond, and in New Orleans at St.
Anthony of Padua, St. Leo the Great, and St. Matthias; in 1957 she
became principal at St. Peter’s until 1963. She served as
Supervisor of Schools for the Baton Rouge Diocese 1963-1971. She
then taught in Paulina, until she became principal at St. Joan of
Arc in 1972. There she served brilliantly for 27 years. In 1999 she
became
Asked about herself and her vocation, Sr. Germaine
said, "I have received much support from family, friends, and
sisters; I feel blessed, like the hundredfold in the gospel! The
people have received me graciously, and the love of the children has
sustained me." St. Joan of Arc students love and deeply respect
Sr. Germaine. Her presence in the school is a blessing and she
serves as a role model for us in her devotion to God and her love
for His children. We all hope she continues with us for a very long
time.
Addenda |
Pastoral Associate for Education at St. Joan. In 2000 she
served in Reserve as principal, and in 2002 returned to St. Joan of
Arc as Pastoral Associate for Education.
