Sister Mary Lou Ruck

Sister Mary Lou, formerly Sister Mary Lucian, is a native of Wilmette, Illinois. Currently, she ministers in health care at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

“I entered the Congregation from Wilmette, with a six-month living experience on a ranch in Oklahoma,” Sister Mary Lou said.

She entered the Congregation on February 2, 1951, taking her first vows on August 15, 1951 and her final vows on August 15, 1958.

Of her ministries, Sister Mary Lou has served as a teacher in a range of subjects in middle schools and colleges. She said she taught Language Arts and theology to her older students. In addition, she has ministered as a pastoral administrator and pastoral associate in several parishes.

In her health care ministry, Sister Mary Lou said she provides Reiki and healing touch energy treatments, and she is “learning all I can about dementia and serving these folks with the aid of music.”

Sister Mary Lou enjoys peoples’ stories “whether I am reading them, watching a movie or listening to the radio.”