Born in 1824 in Paris, France, Josepha Friess entered the convent of the School Sisters of Notre Dame at age 16. Mother Theresa Gerhardinger quickly recognized her gifts. Bright, adventurous and with a great love for children, Josepha, now Sister Caroline, was appointed teacher and director of the congregation's boarding school at Munich-Au.

In 1847 Sister Caroline arrived in America with Mother Theresa and other School Sisters of Notre Dame to teach children of German immigrants. In the mountains of Pennsylvania, Sister Caroline and her companions faced hunger and extreme hardship establishing the sisters' first American mission school.

Appointed by Mother Theresa to lead the sisters and establish more schools, Mother Caroline helped the young congregation grow and flourish on American and Canadian soils. Among the early pioneers of the American parochial school system, Mother Caroline opened classroom doors to every child regardless of gender, race or class.

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