Sister Rose Anthony Mathews, ASC

Sister Rose Anthony Mathews, ASC, celebrated 70 years as an Adorer of the Blood of Christ at Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL, on Monday, July 1, 2024. She made her first profession on July 1, 1954, and her final vows on July 1, 1959. She marked her anniversary with the Eucharistic Liturgy, followed by a reception.

Sister Rose Anthony was born in Prairie du Rocher, IL, one of four children in the family of Arthur and Rose Mathews. Her family attended St. Joseph Parish in Prairie du Rocher. She received her bachelor’s degree in theology from St. Louis University in 1969, and her master’s in religious education from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. in 1971.

Sister Rose Anthony’s ministry was varied; she served as an elementary teacher and principal at St. Jerome in St. Louis, MO; Holy Family in Cahokia, and St. Patrick in Ruma, both in IL; and as a high school teacher at Mater Dei in Breese, IL. She moved into parish work as director of religious education and pastoral associate at Sacred Heart Parish in Sedalia, MO, then at St. Mary in Centralia, Immaculate Conception in Columbia and St. Bruno in Pinckneyville, all in Illinois. She spent time conducting research in Southern Illinois to determine areas of greatest need, and took on the role of ombudsman and money manager for senior citizens. She spent a year in Tanzania, teaching English to young women entering the ASC community. She also served as a provincial councilor.

She has served on numerous committees, including several terms on the Charitable Giving Committee. She was elected as a delegate to the ASC International Assembly in Rome in 1975, and was a member of the Illinois Catholic Conference, appointed by the Bishop.

Sister Rose Anthony currently resides at Benedictine Living Community where she assists with distributing sisters’ monthly budgets. She also appreciates having time for prayer, reading, needlework, and jigsaw puzzles.