“My youngest daughter was just telling me the other day
of her fond memory of visiting some of the Sisters
at the convent about 20 years ago. She recalled the chapel,
the soft lighting, the comforting smells, and the cookies!”
During a pre-pandemic visit to Monocacy Manor, Barbara Nonnemaker Garner and her mom (left) check in with Sister Amata Shina.
Before the Parade Passes By
barbara NONNEMAKER garner | ST. FRANCIS ACADEMY (BETHLEHEM) 1978
Throughout Women’s History Month, our alumnae are honoring members of the School Sisters of St. Francis
who touched their lives back then and who they consider to have been especially influential in who they are now.
Barb plays the lead in “Dolly” during her senior year at SFA. “It was the favorite role of my life,” she says.
THEN
When I saw this invitation to honor a Sister who has been influential in my life, my heart flooded with tears and gratitude for my years at St. Francis Academy. Sister Anita (Kuchera) taught me humility and patience; Sister Xavier (Bomberger), humor and gentle speech; Sister Amata (Shina), courage and fortitude; Sister Rosaria (Shina), forgiveness; Sister Marguerite (Stewart), joy through discipline; and Sister Maria (Derecola) — who was a postulant at the time) — abiding faith and loyal friendship.
But as I begin my days, now living in Puerto Vallarta, answering texts and sending birthday greetings in Spanish, I am grateful for Sister Regina Ann (Rokosny), who not only gave me a foundation in Spanish that allowed me to dive into a Mexican life, but taught me to laugh through diversity, to be true to my promises (though I’ve failed on this one a few times), and to keep on dancing!
I remember a sophomore year biography assignment from Sister Ellen (Csekovsky). Mine was entitled From Fresh to Fresh, exploring how, through the spiritual guidance and discipline of our Sisters at SFA, I became less brazen, more kind and a better listener.
I miss Legion of Mary trips, singing in the motherhouse, playing tricks on Sister Regina, sneaking kiffles from the kitchen, Glee Club, cheerleading, the Father-Daughter Dinner Dance, the semi-formal, and the shows … oh, the shows!
The beautiful School Sisters of St. Francis will always be the most influential, strong, solid, funny, real women in my history (besides my mom, of course). Thank you, Sisters, for teaching me to truly live “before the parade passes by.”
NOW
Barbara went on to study music, theatre, dance and communications at West Chester State and the University of California at Bakersfield. She supplemented her first job as an office manager by doing singing telegrams on the side. Once an aspirant with the Sisters of St. Joseph in Chestnut Hill, Pa., Barbara completed the Emmaus Program at St. Joseph’s College in Mountainview, Calif., and pursued a master’s degree in liturgical studies at San Francisco University. But she was sidetracked by love with her future husband, with whom she welcomed three children and honeymooned in Puerto Vallarta.
After her young marriage eventually ended, single mom Barb took on various jobs to stay afloat. She sold insurance, wrote cartoons, did voiceover and television work and, eventually, opened Montecito Performing Arts Centre in California, offering afterschool training and summer camps for kids drawn to the performing arts.
After some challenging chapters in her life – including a brush with homelessness – and some health issues, Barb decided to return to “paradise,” Puerto Vallarta, in 2015. “Vallarta has allowed me to act, sing, lead worship, produce, and direct at two local theatres,” she says. “What a gift!” Through social media and other online efforts, Barb collects money, food, pet food, clothing and household items to serve the poor there.
Sister Regina Ann Rokosny taught math at SFA into the 1980s and then shared her affinity for numbers with students at our St. Francis Academy in San Antonio, Texas, in the 1990s. Since then she has served in various ministerial roles, including as provincial treasurer, and briefly did formation work with young Sisters in Kerala, India. Today, she lives in Bethlehem, Pa., and works as finance secretary for St. Francis Retreat House in Easton, Pa.
Barbara reconnects with Sister Regina Ann Rokosny during a pre-pandemic visit to the old SFA campus.
Barb in 1978
Do you have a Sister Story to share?
Submit it through our Alumnae Portal
selfies with sisters
During a pre-pandemic visit, Barbara shares the camera with Sisters Anita Kuchera (left) and Rosaria Shina.
