Sister Marlene Luffy entered religious life from St. Basil parish in Pittsburgh. Her parents, through their prayer and example, modeled for her a reverence for life, and she learned from them a respect for the sacred. It was in this environment that she grew in the development of faith, and it greatly influenced her decision to become a Sister. One of 11 children, her sister Maura is also a Sister of Divine Providence.
Sister Mercedes Berbach entered religious life from St. Mary Church in McKees Rocks, Pa. She credits her parents as having the greatest influence on her decision to become a Sister, as they instilled in her a total dependence on God’s Providence. She also recalls that Sister Edelburga, her first- and second-grade teacher, and Sister Patricia, her sixth-grade teacher, Sisters of Divine Providence, impressed her with their kindness and knowledge of God’s loving care.
The most memorable time in my community life was working along side of Sister Josephine and our staff. Sister was a real mother to all of us. She was there to guide and help us on our spiritual journey as well as our ministry in food service. Now that I am retired, I have more time for prayer and helping others when they are in need.
Sister Rose Michele Sieber entered religious life from St. Alphonsus parish in Wheeling, WV. Her vocation to religious life was most influenced by Sisters Johanna† and Eustachia†, both Sisters of Divine Providence.
She spent more than 40 years in ministry in the Dioceses of Altoona, Detroit, Columbus, Wheeling/Charleston, and Chicago. The opportunity helped her to broaden her understanding of cultures and the influence those cultures had on the local church. It gave her an appreciation of what is possible liturgically while working within the proper guidelines.
Sister Helen Plivelic entered religious life from St. Joseph parish in Port Vue, Pa. She credits Fr. Schneider with helping her to recognize and follow her vocation to religious life.
The majority of Sister Helen’s ministry was spent as a teacher. She also ministered at Windsor Nursing Home in South Yarmouth, Ma., and delivered Meals on Wheels. Retired, she is in prayer and general service ministry at Providence House in Kingston, Ma.
Sister Patricia Ann Moffett entered the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1951. She is one of seven children. The first thing you notice when you meet Sister Patty Ann is her smile. She always has a smile on her face and a warm greeting for everyone.
Sister Marie Dolores Griffith entered religious life from St. George parish in Pittsburgh, Pa. Before joining the Sisters of Divine Providence, she belonged to another community in Columbus, Oh. She was in internal ministry in that community for 40 years (1951–91). When she came back to Pittsburgh in 1991, she served as administrative assistant in the development office at Providence Heights (1991–2010). She retired from full-time ministry in 2010, but continued to volunteer in the development office until 2013.
Sister Ann Catherine Fuchs recalls that, “One March, in the 1930s, God looked down on the earth and chose to create a little girl with brown eyes and a pleasant smile. She was named Gloria May; I was that little girl. By the time I reached the third grade, I was aware of a special feeling growing within me. I think it was a tiny vocation seed germinating.” Her grade school principal and eighth-grade teacher further influenced her life with their encouragement and support while attending high school, and in 1951, she entered the Community from her home parish of St.
Sister Jean Anthony Alexandrunas ministered as a grade school teacher’s aide at St. Mary’s Glenshaw (Pa.) for 21 years. Daily, she walked the students to their classrooms, ensuring their safety, corrected worksheets, accompanied them at dismissal time, and was in charge of the after-school program. She also attended daily Mass in the parish church, where she befriended many of the parishioners. Of her time at St. Mary’s, she said, “I tried to be a friendly and caring person to each student I met.”