One of the most defining aspects of St. Albert’s occurred in September of 1956 when the Marist Nuns arrived from Ireland to teach at St. Albert’s School. Only three schools in the United States had Marist nuns as teachers when the Class of ’75 began first grade (the other two being St. Barnabas in East Detroit and Our Lady of Peace in Wheeling West, Virginia). Now some little friends may joke that they had to check their rulers with security before boarding the air craft, but even the most cynical little friend would admit that for the most part the nuns were fun to be around. They were also an integral part of the community. It was not at all unusual to run into the nuns while they were walking down the street or shopping at the store. They never seemed to be rushed and always had time to chat with the parishioners of St. Albert’s on their ventures outside of the convent.

To say that the nuns were big news coming to St. Albert’s would be an understatement. It was huge news. The nuns even made the newspaper when they were made citizens of the United States, the story went as follows: “A happy group of five Irish Marist Sisters became U.S. citizens in naturalization proceedings at a special ceremony in Federal Court in Detroit. The sisters teach at Dearborn Mich and are (l. to r.) Sr. Annette, Sr. Monessa, Mother Ildefonse, Sr. Constance and Sr. Berchmans.”

When the nuns arrived from Ireland they were greeted by a welcoming committee led by Fr. Deplaunty and taken to their new home at St. Albert’s. Upon arriving at St. Albert’s a “welcome party” awaited the sisters as well wishers from the parish anxiously waited to greet them.