Sister Jan Renz, ASC, celebrated 50 years as a vowed member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ on May 31, 2025, at Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL. She made her first profession on June 8, 1975, and her final vows on September 9, 1979. She marked the occasion with the Eucharist and a reception.
Sister Jan was born in St. Louis, MO, to Bertram and Rita (McCarthy) Renz. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1975, her master’s in education in 1980, and her doctorate in Education in 1990, each from St. Louis University. She holds a Special Education and Administration certificate in both Illinois and Missouri. Her teaching and administration certificate in Illinois includes the field of Learning Disabilities. She was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from Quincy University, Quincy, IL, in 2000.
Primary fields of service in Sister Jan’s ministry include education and leadership. After two years of teaching at Immaculate Conception School in Centreville, she was appointed principal and special education teacher at Catholic Children’s Home in Alton, IL. She was then principal of Sts. Peter and Paul in Waterloo, IL. When the need for consolidation of schools in East St. Louis became imperative, she was asked to serve as superintendent of Catholic schools to facilitate the needed changes. For 16 years, Sister Jan served as principal of Althoff Catholic High School. Her contribution to the civic community included her service as an Emergency Medical Technician; she is a Nationally Registered EMT. She served on the Southern Illinois Critical Incident Management Team, whose task is to debrief emergency personnel following severe emergency occurrences.
Leadership of the U.S. Region was Sister Jan’s call for the next 15 years, first as Regional Leader, then as Councilor and Treasurer. In addition, the list of committees and boards on which Sister Jan served, often as chairperson, is extensive. She added expertise, particularly in the areas of finance, health care, charitable giving and long-range planning. For her work in the Diocese of Belleville, she received the “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” award from the Vatican, on the recommendation of former Bishop of Belleville, Wilton Gregory.
Sister Jan lives in Belleville where she volunteers at Althoff Catholic High School as a substitute teacher.