Each year the sisters celebrate the anniversary of their entrance into religious life. The 2023 Jubilarians are Sisters Angéle Marie Sadlier (75th), Joan Broussard (70th), Lawrence Habetz (70th), and Evelyn Mire (70th).
Sister Angéle Marie Sadlier, born Elma Marie Wilhelmina Sadlier in New Orleans, LA, is the youngest of five children born of the late Claus Sadlier, Sr. and Angela Viosca. She attended Lakeview Public Elementary School and Mount Carmel Academy. She entered the congregation in 1947 and pronounced first vows in 1950. She received a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Loyola University, a master’s degree in English from the University of Notre Dame, and a master’s degree in Religious Education from Boston College. Sister has served in Catholic Education as a teacher at St. Dominic School, St. James Major, and Mount Carmel Academy in New Orleans; St. Joseph in Rayne, and Notre Dame in Crowley. She ministered as principal at Mount Carmel Elementary/High in Lafayette and at St. Joseph Elementary/High, which became Rayne Catholic Elementary when the Catholic High Schools of the area merged to become Notre Dame in Crowley. Sister returned to Rayne to become principal again at Rayne Catholic. From 1972-77 she served as campus minister at the Catholic student center at McNeese State University in Lake Charles. She served as President of the Sisters of Mount Carmel from 1977-85. Sister Angéle taught part-time at Loyola University City College and at Notre Dame Seminary while living with her parents who had become critically ill, and she cared for them until they went back to God. Sister also taught courses on prayer at the Washington Theological Union, served on the formation team of the Carmelite friars, and as Executive Director of the Carmelite Institute until she returned to New Orleans in 2001, where she became administrator of the congregation’s Motherhouse. In 2015-2016, she was selected “Nun of the Year” by the LA Ladies Auxiliary. Sister currently serves as Spiritual Director and Spiritual Assistant for Jesus Our Joy, St. Maria Goretti and OCD’s Lay Carmelites in New Orleans. Presently she resides at Ville Ste. Marie Senior Living, Jefferson, LA.
Sister Joan Broussard, native of Pecan Island, LA, is the third of six children born of the late Valin “Toupee” and Stella Broussard. Sister Joan entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Mount Carmel in 1952. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now known as University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and her master’s degree in child development and family living from Texas Woman’s University. She taught in various schools of the Sisters of Mount Carmel, including New Iberia, Carencro, Paincourtville, St. Dominic in New Orleans and E.D. White in Thibodaux, LA. Sister taught Spanish at Cub Corner Preschool and volunteered as a Spanish translator at Notre Dame Hospice, New Orleans, LA. She served as a missionary in Peru and Mexico as well as a home missionary among Navajo Indians in New Mexico. In addition to her teaching profession, she worked with Boys Hope of Baton Rouge and spent many years at the service of her congregation as House Director of the Carmelite Retreat Center in Lacombe and coordinator for the retired sisters. Sister Joan resides in Abbeville, LA where she is a Carmelite presence of prayer, service, and hospitality.
Sister Lawrence Habetz, born Laurentia Frances Habetz in Rayne, LA, is the oldest of six children born of the late P.H. Habetz and Frances Hensgens Habetz. She entered the Sisters of Mount Carmel in 1952 and made first profession in 1955. She attended elementary school at St. Joseph in Rayne, LA and high school in Fenton, LA and Mount Carmel Academy, New Orleans, LA. She received her B.S. in Secondary Education with certification in mathematics and English from Loyola University, New Orleans, LA in 1963, her M.T.S. in mathematics from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. in 1968 and in 1986 she received certification in Computer Science. During her 52 years of teaching, Sister Lawrence taught at Mount Carmel High School in Lafayette, LA, St. Dominic Elementary School, St. James Major High School, Mount Carmel Academy and Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, LA. She has written mathematics curriculum, conducted math workshops and in-services, served as math department chair, math and computer consultant, assistant principal, athletic director, yearbook and newspaper advisor and Mu Alpha Theta moderator. She served as Territory 7 Region Director of the International Thespian Society, Administrative Director of The Dog and Pony Theatre Company, evaluator of the Youth Conservation Corps and the Human Services Corporation. She was the recipient of The Sister Mary Grace Danos Award in 1990 from Mount Carmel Academy, The Greater New Orleans Teacher of Mathematics of the Year Award in 1994, the Brother Martin Brother Moore Schaefer Faculty Award in 1997, and inducted in 2025 as an Honorary Member of the International Thespian Society for 24 years of service to Mount Carmel Academy Troup #2075. Sister Lawrence was on the Executive Council of the Sisters of Mount Carmel as assistant to the president, coordinator of the Strategic Initiatives, editor of Contemplatives in Action, president of Carmelite Ministries, Inc. Board, corporation secretary, and development director. Sister served as President of the Congregation from 2013 to 2023. Sister currently resides in Covington, LA where she serves the Congregation as Development Director, editor of Contemplatives in Action, Chair of the Justice and Peace Grant Board, member of the Mount Carmel Academy Board of Directors, and a member of the Carmelite Ministries, Inc. Board.
Sister Evelyn Mire, born Marie Nidrey Mire in Kaplan, LA, is the oldest child born of the late Elias Mire and Benite Sonnier. Sister entered the Congregation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in 1952 and made her first profession in 1955. She attended Kaplan High, Abbeville High and Mount Carmel Academy in New Orleans and received her undergraduate degree from Dominican College in 1967. She received a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Nicholls State University in 1972. She received a certification in Administration and Supervision from Notre Dame University in 1980. Sister Evelyn taught in elementary and middle schools for 30 years at St. James Major, St. Dominic and St. Louis King of France in New Orleans, LA, Mount Carmel in Lafayette, LA, Rayne Catholic Elementary in Rayne, LA, where she served as principal from 1980-1983 and was in charge of school finances from 1983-1986, St. Elizabeth, Paincourtville, LA, St. Joseph the Worker, Marrero, LA and St. Euphrasia, Granada Hills, CA. She also served as Maintenance Directress of the congregation property in Lacombe, LA, parish secretary of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Erath, LA and at St. Jules Church, Lafayette, LA. Sister retired in 2007 and currently resides in Lafayette, LA where she assists with our senior sisters.