Meet Sister Karen Zielinski, OSF
Detroit, MI
1974
Ministries:
Sister’s ministry in education began in 1975, teaching middle school in OH. She studied and taught music at BGSU, taught Choral/Ensemble at Padua Franciscan HS in Parma and Choral/Glee Club at Central Catholic HS in Toledo until 1991. Sister served the community as Director of Communications for 17 years, has authored articles and books, served as Director of the Canticle Studio since 2008 and currently co-directs the Associates. Sister has spent the past 45 years working to end MS.
Marginalized but Mighty: Since her diagnosis at the age of 26, medical understanding of MS has evolved from almost none – to 26 different disease slowing treatments. During the years, Sister, who has become nationally known in the fight for a cure, and is daily awed by the gifts God sends her. “If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain,” says Sister, quoting Emily Dickenson.
From left, Vincenz Meyer and Sister Maria Goretti Sodd, co-directors of the Associates program prior to Sister Roselynn taking over in 2011, Sister Karen Zielinski (seated), who became the co-director of the program on December 1, and Sister Roselynn.
Associate Co-Directors Kathy Faist and Sister Karen Zielinski pose at the Tea Party.