Seiker Award

The Sheridan Road Alumni Association presents the Catherine I. Seiker, RSCJ Award during Alumni Weekend to an RSCJ, Sheridan Road alumna/us, or alumna/us from any Sacred Heart Network school whose life exemplifies, to an extraordinary degree, the values and ideals that Sacred Heart Schools represents.

We invite Sheridan Road alumni to nominate individuals whose accomplishments are most deserving of special recognition. Please use this form.

ABOUT CATHERINE I. SEIKER, RSCJ

Catherine Seiker, RSCJ became a Sacred Heart teacher in 1945. Later, she worked with volunteers and served as Business Manager. An avid proponent of the Network's nationwide alumni community, she produced the first Sacred Heart Alumni Directory and paved the way for the Schools' archives. Her love of people brought out the best in them and her collaborative nature supported many projects. Sister Seiker died in 2016.

2026 Seiker Award Recipient: Sheila Hammond, RSCJ ASH'61

Sister Sheila Hammond ASH'61 has embodied the Goals and Criteria of a Sacred Heart education throughout her life—as a student, teacher, Religious of the Sacred Heart, pastoral leader, trustee, and devoted leader in the Sacred Heart Network of schools. Her faith, kindness, inclusivity, and commitment to others have touched countless lives.

“Sacred Heart was the cornerstone of my young life for twelve years,” Sheila reflects. Those student years shaped lifelong friendships and inspired her through the example of the RSCJ. In particular, she remembers Sister Edith McShane, her high school English teacher, as transformative. “She treated us as adults. She brought out our gifts. I learned to love learning.” 

After teaching at Sheridan Road from 1968 to 1974, Sheila became a Clinical Pastoral Educator, helping people navigate grief, loss, and crisis in hospitals across Michigan, Boston, and St. Louis. Her responsibilities included educating students of different denominations headed for careers as pastors, chaplains, and other service ministries.

She served as Provincial of the United States–Canada Province of the RSCJ and as Trustee of many Network schools. Today, she is Community Life Director at Oakwood in Atherton, California, supporting the retired RSCJs who live there. Her Network board service continues at Atherton, Halifax, and St. Charles.

Reflecting on the future of Sacred Heart education, Sheila points to the enduring relevance of its mission. “The Goals and Criteria push us out to serve the world that needs our values—the care of individuals and the dignity of the human person. St. Madeleine Sophie always moved toward the future. She saw the present and what needed to happen.”

Sheila’s life of service, leadership, and faith continues to inspire generations of Sacred Heart students and alumni.