Presentation Sisters Aberdeen, SD

06/12/2026

Sister Phyllis Gill celebrates her 70th Jubilee

Sister Phyllis Gill was born and raised in Timber Lake, SD. After graduating from high school, she followed God’s call and entered Presentation Convent. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor and Master degrees in Pastoral Studies and Social Work, preparing her for a lifetime of compassionate ministry.

Sister Phyllis’s service to others began by teaching elementary students in Anoka, Mound, and Willmar, MN; Mitchell, SD; and Miles City, MT. Her ministry expanded to include service on the Crow Creek Reservation; parish ministry; Catholic Social Services in Mitchell and Aberdeen, SD; Presentation College; and caring for others at Berakhah House. She served on the Presentation Sisters’ Leadership Team and as Congregational Vocation Director. She then ministered alongside other US Presentation Sisters at St. Joseph Rebuild Center, a homeless shelter in New Orleans, LA.

Although every ministry was different, she welcomed each person with genuine warmth and hospitality. She listened and accompanied people from diversified backgrounds through many stages and challenges of life, all the while leading with compassion, understanding, and hope.

Fully retired, Sister Phyllis enjoys reading, puzzles, and quietly resting in the awareness of God’s loving presence.

https://www.presentationsisters.org/general/we-celebrate-our-2026-jubilarians/

06/11/2026

Sister Mary Fix celebrates her 70th Jubilee

Sister Mary Fix was born in Onaka, SD, and graduated from Cresbard High School. During her childhood, the Presentation Sisters taught catechism in her hometown, and after attending a retreat at Presentation College, she felt called to religious life.

After earning a Bachelor’s degree from Northern State College (University) in Aberdeen, SD, Sister Mary devoted herself to the ministry of education. With her welcoming smile and joyful spirit, she taught elementary students in Catholic schools for 24 years in Dell Rapids, Mitchell, and Aberdeen, South Dakota, as well as Mound, Willmar, and Glencoe, MN. She later spent 19 years as a preschool teacher at Sandcastle Child Care at St. James Parish in St. Paul, MN.

Always open to new ways of serving, Sister Mary embraced volunteer ministry and taught English as a Second Language to adults. Her compassionate heart and gift for listening, naturally led her into pastoral care ministry with nursing home residents, where she shared comfort, faith, and companionship.

Sister Mary remains deeply grateful for the faithful support and perseverance of her religious community. Now fully retired, she enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.

https://www.presentationsisters.org/general/we-celebrate-our-2026-jubilarians/

06/10/2026

Sister Joan Marie Brandner celebrates her 70th Jubilee.

Sister Joan Marie Brandner grew up on a ranch near Herreid, SD, and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Mitchell. Inspired by her love of teaching and serving others, she attended Presentation Junior College, earned a Bachelor’s from Northern State College (University), Aberdeen, SD; a Master’s from St. Mary’s College, Winona, MN; and a license in Personality and Human Relations (PRH) through an international program in Poitiers, France.

For 18 years, Sister Joan Marie shared her energy and enthusiasm with middle school students in Sioux Falls, Milbank, Mitchell, and Madison, SD. She later served in parish ministry in Willmar, MN, as Vocation Director for Presentation Convent, and on the Presentation Sisters’ Leadership Council.

In 1985, Sister Joan Marie participated in the Personality and Human Relationships program, describing it as, “one of the most valuable gifts from God.” A devoted PRH educator, she accompanied adults, families, and students in faith and personal growth. She spent 20 years in campus ministry at South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, sharing the joy, compassion, and love of Jesus. A true prairie woman, she continues to inspire others through her gratitude and generous spirit.

https://www.presentationsisters.org/general/we-celebrate-our-2026-jubilarians/

05/25/2026

As we celebrate 250 years of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we give thanks for the enduring legacy of Nano Nagle. With kindness, courage and everyday acts of justice, Nano founded the congregation guided by her call to serve through “not words, but deeds.”
Today, as Presentation people in North America, we continue to shine Nano’s light through shared prayer and compassionate action—reaching out in love and service to our neighbors and a world in need.

Across our communities, this anniversary year continues to inspire meaningful acts of care for both people and the earth. In New York, the congregation held a prayer service commemorating the partnership in the preservation of 13.5 acres of land to help protect a vital secondary water source for the City of Newburgh. In North Dakota, sisters, associates and friends gathered to plant trees as part of the worldwide Presentation family’s commitment to plant 2,500 trees in honor of this milestone anniversary. These efforts reflect our ongoing call to foster hope, healing and justice for generations to come.

As we celebrate 250 years of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we give thanks for the enduring legacy of Nano Nagle. With kindness, courage and everyday acts of justice, Nano founded the congregation guided by her call to serve through “not words, but deeds.”

Today, as Presentation people in North America, we continue to shine Nano’s light through shared prayer and compassionate action—reaching out in love and service to our neighbors and a world in need.

Across our communities, this anniversary year continues to inspire meaningful acts of care for both people and the earth. In New York, the congregation held a prayer service commemorating the partnership in the preservation of 13.5 acres of land to help protect a vital secondary water source for the City of Newburgh. In North Dakota, sisters, associates and friends gathered to plant trees as part of the worldwide Presentation family’s commitment to plant 2,500 trees in honor of this milestone anniversary. These efforts reflect our ongoing call to foster hope, healing and justice for generations to come.

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

In celebration of Laudato Si’ Week, we invite you to join us in prayer and thanksgiving for the blessings of creation.

Creator God, we give thanks for the poor. We give thanks for their resilience, strength, and the opportunity to know, serve, and love them. As harm to creation harms all who share it, help us grow in solidarity. Help us follow the words of Proverbs, to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Help us speak truth in the presence of corruption, selfishness, and short-sightedness. Help us reflect on Your truths, that we may change our habits to care for all Your beloved children. Amen.

05/21/2026

In celebration of Laudato Si’ Week, we invite you to join us in prayer and thanksgiving for the blessings of creation.

Animals & Plants

Creator God, we give thanks for the plants, animals and the grand diversity of life you have created. Today we thank You for every kind of plant that bears seeds and fruit. We thank You for the roles that animals have in our lives. We thank You for all that they provide, and for the ways they connect us with all life on Earth. Help us seek ways of living that allow them all to flourish. Amen

05/20/2026

As we celebrate 250 years of the founding of the Presentation Sisters and 140 years of our congregation on the plains of Dakota, a place of historically few trees, we join with other Presentation congregations across the globe in planting trees to serve as a legacy of Nano and ourselves.

Recently, we were joined by members of the Dell Rapids community as we planted a tree in honor of the long legacy of Presentation Sisters who were born in Dell Rapids and those who ministered there.

05/19/2026

In celebration of Laudato Si’ Week, we invite you to join us in prayer and thanksgiving for the blessings of creation.

A Prayer for the Land

Creator God, we give thanks for the land. Thank you for the confidence and comfort we feel from
the earth beneath our bare feet. Thank you for the earth that sustains us, and for the many uses of minerals in our lives. Help us see when we’ve taken enough and then find a new direction. Amen.

05/18/2026

In celebration of Laudato Si’ Week, we invite you to join us in prayer and thanksgiving for the blessings of creation.

Creator God, we give thanks for water. Thank You for the rich depths of the seas, for the rivers and lakes
and the sparkle of light that dances on their surface. We thank You for the ways that water sustains
us, like clean water to drink and rain that waters our crops. Help us protect future generations by taking even small steps to preserve the gift of water.
Amen.