Meet Sister Rachel Marie Nijakowski, OSF
9/9/1950
Toledo, Ohio
1971
Ministries:
Sister taught grades 3 and 6 from 1971-1980. She returned to school, studying at BGSU from 1980-1983 and later graduating in 1990 from Ball State University with a PhD in School Psychology and Neuropsychology. She taught Psychology at Lourdes from 1983-1988, and served an Asst. Professor of Psychology from 1990-1996. Sister founded the Sophia Counseling Center in 1993, served from 2012-2021 on the Leadership Team and currently continues ministry as Director of Sophia Center.
Kindling the spirit: It is in that mystic place within relationship that Sister finds grace. “When we are present in the relationship, and this is something I’m always focused on – in my personal life and particularly in counseling – we receive the graced insights and see the gifted moments within the encounter,” she says. “Then we lean in to catch the stirring of the Spirit.”
From left, Sisters Rachel Marie Nijakowski, Carolyn Giera, Joan Jurski, Theresa Darga and Mary Jon Wagner getting ready for the liturgy in Queen of Peace Chapel.
Sister Mary Jon Wagner, Congregational Minister of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, speaks to the gathering, with her Leadership Team of Sisters Shannon Schrein, left, Rachel Marie Nijakowski, Theresa Darga, and Sharon Derivan.
