Sister Jeanine Salak, RSM
Age 92
Inspired by her motto, “Christ lives in me,” the God of light and the God of mercy anchored Sister Jeanine throughout her ministries as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and community leader.
Jeanine first encountered the Sisters of Mercy as a freshman while attending the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska. She entered the community at the age of 19 in Council Bluff, Iowa. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, and a master’s degree in educational administration from St. Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois.
Initially Jeanine taught music for five years at Holy Trinity Elementary School in Kansas City, Missouri. Then she became principal at St Peter’s Elementary School in Marshall, Missouri, which launched a 16- year career in school administration in the Kansas City, Missouri diocese. Next, she became an education consultant for the Archdiocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. In 1983, she was tapped to serve as the superintendent of Salina (KS) Catholic Schools. She reluctantly left the position when called to Omaha, Nebraska, to serve as a councilor on her community’s leadership team.
After serving a four-year term in leadership, Jeanine changed her ministry to healthcare by becoming a certified clinical pastoral educator. She spent nearly 15 years as a chaplain in Mercy hospitals in Lincoln, Nebraska; Durango, Colorado; and Williston, North Dakota. By 2007, Jeanine was ready to return to living with her community in Omaha. After officially retiring from active ministry, her life has become filled with music and reconnecting with the sisters.