.jpg)
Sr. Jamie T. Phelps, O.P.
Sister Jamie T. Phelps, O.P. (baptized Jamie Theresa Phelps, formerly Sister Martin Thomas), was a luminous and devoted daughter of God, a tireless scholar, and a fearless champion of justice and Black Catholic pastoral ministry. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan, she passed from this life at the age of 84, in the 65th year of her religious profession with the Adrian Dominican Congregation. The NBSC community, the Adrian Dominican family, and all who knew her mourn with hearts full of love, gratitude, and deep admiration for a life well lived.
Sister Jamie’s life began in Mobile, Alabama, to Alfred and Emma (Brown) Phelps. From a young age, she carried a remarkable blend of warmth, intellect, and a steadfast commitment to serve others. She pursued education with zeal, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, followed by master’s degrees in social work with a focus on group dynamics from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and in theology from St. John University in Collegeville, Minnesota. She completed a doctorate in systematic theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Her scholarly curiosity was matched by a fierce dedication to applying knowledge in service of people’s lived realities.
Sister Jamie’s ministry spanned education, social work, and theology, always oriented toward uplifting those most in need. She spent 27 years in education across Chicago, Harvey, Illinois, and Notre Dame, Indiana, teaching and shaping minds. Notably, she served 12 years as a theology instructor at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, with additional tenures as a visiting professor at the University of Notre Dame and Loyola University. Her commitment extended beyond the classroom into the realm of social service as a psychiatric social worker for seven years, including work at Mercy Hospital and the Chicago Child Care Society.
Her leadership and vision were transformative. She was a founding member of the National Black Sisters’ Conference and the founding director of the Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program at CTU. Her passion for education, worship, and Black Catholic studies flourished during eight years as the director of the Institute of Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans. Later, she continued her theological work through research, writing, and consultancy in Chicago and Adrian, contributing to the broader dialogue of faith, justice, and leadership within the Church. In 2019, she became a resident of the Dominican Life Center, continuing to model a life of scholarship, prayer, and community.
Sister Jamie’s life was marked by resilience, a keen sense of justice, and a radiant sense of humor. Those who knew her speak of her quick, unstoppable laugh and an unshakeable conviction that life, at its core, is meant to be lived joyfully. She lived with a “God-writing-straight-with-crooked-lines” trust, recognizing that God’s providence often reveals itself through the twists and turns of life. Her reflections on Katrina’s tragedy in New Orleans—describing the storm as a revelation of social immorality and a call to deeper solidarity—embodied her conviction that suffering can awaken a more compassionate, just Church and world.
Born the youngest of six in a family rooted in faith and education, Jamie grew up in a Chicago household where conversation about religion, politics, and life was lively and ongoing. Her early formation—together with Adrian Dominican nuns who taught at her grade school—shaped a vocation to religious life and to communities that celebrate diversity, truth, and the dignity of every person. She carried a deep belief that gifts and talents are given for the good of all, guiding her to work across cultures, communities, and ecclesial settings with humility, courage, and scholarly rigor.
Her lifelong work reflected a singular vocation to witness through both mind and heart: to explore how Catholic liturgy, theology, and pastoral practice can be authentically inculturated; to address sexism, racism, and economic disparity within and beyond church walls; and to foster a holistic spirituality that nourishes the body, mind, and soul. Her advocacy for Black Catholic life—its history, its beauty, and its ongoing development—was not merely academic; it was an invitation to deepen communal love, solidarity, and justice.
Sister Jamie is survived by her brother Alfred Phelps Jr. and many other loving family members, as well as her Adrian Dominican Sisters. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Emma Phelps, and her siblings William Brown, Julius Phelps, Marionette Phelps, and Alfreda Phelps-Bowles. The NBSC and Adrian Dominican communities honor her memory as a beacon of faith lived in action, scholarship, and compassionate ministry.
In celebrating Sister Jamie’s life, we remember a woman who was defined by love that moved outward in generous service. She taught us that life is truly a journey of discernment: trusting in God’s providence, embracing the complexities of a diverse world, and remaining steadfast in hope, even amid struggle. Her laughter, wisdom, and tireless advocacy for justice will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.
May Sister Jamie’s soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Her legacy—an enduring call to education, theological inquiry, and courageous pastoral ministry—lives on in the countless lives she touched, the communities she built, and the ongoing work she inspired within the Church and beyond.
Sister Jamie Phelp's Virgil: CLICK HERE
Sister Jamie Phelp's Funeral Service: CLICK HERE