Sister Madelyn Gould celebrated her Golden Jubilee as a School Sister of St. Francis at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Naperville on Sunday, October 9, 2011. Hundreds of friends joined Sister Madelyn's family and religious sisters for a liturgy and a reception that recognized her 50 years of commitment and service.

Sister Madelyn began her ministry as a teacher at Sacred Heart in Lombard, St. Irene in Warrenville, and at Saints Peter and Paul in Naperville. She then served as a director of religious education at Saints Peter and Paul in Naperville, Notre Dame in Clarendon Hills, and St. Jude in New Lenox. Sister Madelyn was appointed the pastoral associate of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Naperville in 1983.

Continuing education has always been a priority in Sister Madelyn's life. Upon graduation from Kaneville Grade School in Kaneville and Madonna High School in Aurora, Sister Madelyn entered the School Sisters of Saint Francis and received her bachelors of science in education from Alverno College in Milwaukee. She later earned a masters degree in religious education from Fordham University, a masters degree in theology from St. Bonaventure University, a post graduate degree in spirituality from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and a certificate in spiritual direction from Claret Center in Chicago.

Sister's Madelyn's current responsibilities include facilitating the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, directing all adult faith formation programs, leading retreats, offering spiritual direction, and coordinating the parish mission at St. Margaret Mary. Humbled by the attention given to her at her Golden Anniversary celebration, Sister Madelyn thanked the laity for joining her on a journey of faith that she compared to a beautiful dance with God and the people of God.