“Be diligent in serving the poor. Love the poor, honor them, my children, as you would honor Christ Himself.”
St. Louise de Marillac
Photos and article courtesy of Seton High School.
Giving Back with Gratitude: Seton Alumna Honors S. Mary Dolores Schneider
Karen Salem Momper ’88 and Sister Mary Dolores
For Karen Salem Momper ’88, memories of Seton High School are stitched together with laughter, discipline and the steady guidance of the Sisters of Charity. Among the many Sisters she was blessed to learn from, one holds an especially dear place in her heart — Sister Mary Dolores.
Karen recalls Sister Mary Dolores, or SMD as she is still affectionately called by so many Saints, as both formidable and inspiring. “She could be intimidating,” Karen admitted with a smile. “She had high expectations, demanded order in the classroom and commanded 100% attention. While she was all business with little time for fun, she also celebrated success and made you want to achieve more. Her dry sense of humor let us know she ‘got’ us — even if she didn’t always show it.”
That combination of toughness and quiet encouragement left a lifelong impression for Karen, who had SMD for both Latin and Honors English. Karen recalls toga parties in Latin class, complete with costumes and “Roman” food, balanced by a rigorous curriculum. “We all have stories about the antics and habits – pun intended – of the Sisters at Seton,” she said with a laugh. “But underneath that armor, we witnessed their quiet and steady force, always cheering us on while challenging us to keep God at the center.”
Years later, when Karen faced a personal battle with leukemia and a stem cell transplant, SMD once again became a source of strength. Sister Mary Dolores, herself a cancer survivor, followed Karen’s blog during treatment. “Her comments were simple but pointed, always laced with that dry wit,” Karen recalled. “I can’t begin to describe how much her support buoyed my spirit during some really tough times. One of her comments even made me laugh so loudly that a nurse rushed in, thinking something was wrong!”
Karen, a cancer survivor, made some time to meet and catch up with SMD when she was in town recently. Once again she felt that enduring impact that inspired her through various chapters in her life. “I left there so full of joy, knowing that I wanted to do something to honor her, particularly while she is still here to feel the appreciation. I’m a big proponent of expressing gratitude before it’s too late,” Karen explained. So, when the opportunity came to donate stocks, the idea to honor SMD came instantly. “I got super excited about doing this while she could be part of it.” For Karen, giving back is personal. As the oldest of five children, she remembers her parents working hard to make Catholic education possible. “We didn’t qualify for financial aid on paper, but I vividly remember my mom stressing over the grocery bill every week,” she explained. “I received a couple of small scholarships in high school by writing essays or doing research projects, and those contributions — while modest — helped lighten the load. I hope this scholarship motivates and empowers other Saints in the same way.”
Karen’s path after Seton took her to the University of Dayton, where she studied Chemistry with a minor in Marketing, graduating in 1992. She spent several years working at Bristol Myers Squibb before stepping away to raise her two sons. She returned to the professional world in biotech business development when her sons got older, and then pivoted to public service during the pandemic, most recently working with the State of Indiana’s tourism agency. She loves spending time with her husband, Mark, and her sons, Xavier, now 23, and JJ who is 19.
The lessons Karen learned from the Sisters of Charity remain with her throughout her life. “Their influence still carries on,” explained Karen. “They showed us that faith, discipline and encouragement can be life changing. I pray today’s young women can find role models with the same depth of faith and strength.”
And, of course, Karen never forgets the humor that accompanied those lessons. One of her favorite stories? Wearing her boyfriend’s Elder ring in Sister Mary Dolores’ class. “I received a lower-than-normal test grade when SMD openly commented to the class, ‘Miss Salem wasn’t so easily distracted from her studies before she got that ring on her finger.’”
It’s a memory that still makes Karen laugh — and a reminder of the wit, wisdom and warmth that makes Sister Mary Dolores special to so many Saints.
Top to bottom: Jenny Scherer Striebich ’88,
Laura Loos Sharp ’88,
Karen Salem Momper ’88
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