Donor Spotlight: Virginia Claessens McDonald
For Virginia “Ginny” Claessens McDonald of St. Paul, Minnesota, gratitude has long been a way of life.
At 90 years young, Ginny’s life has been shaped by faith, music, service, and the enduring influence of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Today, as a longtime supporter of Sisters Rising Worldwide, she continues to live by the words she recently shared at her 90th birthday celebration:
“Be light. Be kind. Be welcome. Be neighbor. Be family. Be friend. Be faithful. Be a gift. Be beauty. Be adventure. Be fun. Be gracious. Be a blessing. Be hope. Be peace. Be love. Be joy. Be music, always music. Be thankful — always thankful.”
Those words reflect Ginny’s spirit — joyful, generous, grounded in faith, and deeply committed to helping others.
Ginny was first taught at St. Mary’s grade and high school by the Sisters of St. Joseph as a child growing up in Waverly, Minnesota. She later attended St. Catherine University (St. Kate’s) on a scholarship provided by the Sisters and eventually entered the St. Paul Sisters of St. Joseph herself, remaining in the community for 14 years. She has been a Consociate since 2001. “I always say CSJ is in my DNA,” Ginny shared with a smile.
Music has been one of the great callings of her life. Ginny taught choral groups, piano, music theory, and music appreciation for 25 years at schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul. She later served as Music and Worship Minister at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Roseville. “Music is my lifeline,” she said. “It gives me energy.”
Today, Ginny continues to direct the CSJ Choir made up of Sisters, Consociates, and friends at Carondelet Village, where she lives just a floor away from SRW founder and president, Sister Irene O’Neill. Their friendship goes back many years. Ginny first came to know Sister Irene through the CSJ Ministries Foundation, where Ginny’s late husband, Bill, served on the board when Sister Irene led the Foundation.
“When I first heard about Sisters Rising Worldwide, I thought, ‘Here she goes again — this visionary!’” Ginny recalled. “I’ve always valued Irene’s vision because it’s always worth something.”
That vision, and the Sisters carrying it forward around the world, is exactly what inspires Ginny’s support.
“What resonates with me most is uplifting those in need,” she shared. “It’s connecting the haves and the have-nots. There are needs for water, education, electricity, and protection from trafficking. Irene found ways through the Sisters to meet those needs. When I read the Sisters’ stories, part of me asks, ‘Why is it like this in the world?’ But then I’m comforted when I think, SRW is going to do something about it,” she said. “The Sisters don’t just talk about it. The work gets done.”
Sister Irene feels fortunate to have Ginny as a neighbor and a dear supporter of SRW. “Her joyful spirit, deep gratitude, and generous heart inspire everyone around her. Ginny embodies what it means to live a life of faith, compassion, and service, just like the Sisters,” said Sister Irene.
As a long-time educator, Ginny is especially passionate about the work Sisters are doing to educate and empower women and girls around the world. “The way SRW approaches education is so important to me,” Ginny said. “Helping women and girls have a better life — a good life — matters deeply.”
Ginny’s own understanding of generosity began early. She remembers watching her grandmother faithfully contribute every Sunday and regularly help neighbors in need. That understanding deepened over the years through friends like Rita Otte at St. Catherine University, who guided Ginny and Bill in becoming dedicated philanthropists, supporting the work they loved through annual gifts, capital gifts, and an endowed scholarship.
An avid lover of music, art, theater, and nature, Ginny enjoys playing piano, leading the CSJ Choir, and hosting “Sit, Sip, and Sing” gatherings at Carondelet Village. Over the years, she and her late husband Bill traveled extensively and made treasured memories attending iconic events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Bowl Parade. She still loves annual trips to Minnesota’s North Shore and celebrating what she calls “the beauty of the world.”
Ginny’s desire to impact those in need around the world led her to become an SRW monthly donor. “There are huge needs around the world, especially for women and children. With SRW, you know exactly where your money is going. Every penny is going to the need,” Ginny said. “And what’s amazing is that the Sisters work within the communities themselves. They don’t come in and tell people what to do — they ask what the community needs.”
At the heart of Ginny’s life is a simple but powerful belief: gratitude should move us to action.
Like Ginny, you can help Sisters respond to urgent needs around the world by becoming a Sister Champion (monthly donor) to Sisters Rising Worldwide. Your ongoing support helps provide sustainable funding for Sister-led solutions that are transforming lives every day.
