| Sisters of Divine Providence

Sister Muriel Young

Visitation:
Sunday, January 31, 2016 from 1-9 p.m., Community Room at Providence Heights
Monday, Febuary 1, 2016 from 12-3:30 p.m., Community Room at Providence Heights

Wake Service:
Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 7 p.m., Community Room at Providence Heights

Resurrection Service:
Monday, February 1, 2016 at 3:30 p.m., Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Muriel Young
who departed this life on January 27, 2016
in the seventy-sixth year of her religious life
Age: 91 years, 7 months, 8 days

“There was also a prophetess, Anna…advanced in years… who never left the temple.”
(Luke 2:36-38)

Sister Muriel Young had been struggling with her physical condition over the past several years and has gradually grown weaker. After all the celebrations of her Diamond Jubilee were over, she quietly gave herself over to preparing for the next and last transition of her life. One of the tributes she received on the occasion of her 75th Anniversary likened her to the prophetess Anna, who even though advanced in years, continued her faithful service in the temple. The faith of Anna was rewarded with recognition of the Christ Child; Sister Muriel’s faithfulness was rewarded by all those who recognized her outstanding contribution to Catholic education over many years. How fitting it is for Sr. Muriel to pass into eternal life during this season when we celebrate the prophetess who recognized the incomprehensible light of God.

Dorothy Margaret Young was the second of four daughters born to Mary Kappler and John Young. She grew up in Sacred Heart Parish and lived a short distance from the convent where she got to know the Sisters. She entered the Community on September 8, 1940. Her mother thought she was a little young; she wanted her daughter to see more of the world. Dorothy knew she was ready. She completed her high school classes at the Motherhouse. Her younger sister, Bernadette, followed her to the convent six years later.

Over the years, Sr. Muriel received a B.E. degree from Duquesne University and a M.A. from Catholic University of America. From 1943 through 1960, Sr. Muriel taught primary grades in many schools in the Pittsburgh and Detroit Dioceses. From 1960-63, Sr. Muriel was assigned to be an Assistant Supervisor for the schools staffed by the Community. She then served as principal for 13 years, first at St. Anne School in Castle Shannon then at St. Basil School in Carrick. At St. Anne’s, she initiated, organized and supervised a non-graded program for 1600 students. At St. Basil’s, Sr. Muriel innovated and supervised a special communications program for teachers to improve student performance. She also introduced an elective program for upper elementary students to expand curricula for special interest students. Recognizing her talent as an educator, the Community appointed her as educational liaison between the Diocesan Schools Office and the Sisters of Divine Providence. During the years she was ministering in this way, the Diocese hired her as an Educational Consultant and finally Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Among her other accomplishments she presented countless workshops in catechetics, curricular areas and staff development. She served as Vision and Values Director for the Diocese, a program designed by National Catholic Education Association to preserve and strengthen the identity of Catholic Schools. Sr. Muriel also published several articles including a 54 page article picked up by NCEA in 1986 entitled “New Wine in New Wine Skins: A Challenge to Administrators.” At the same time she also had written for Laidlaw, Merrill and Macmillan Book Companies on the correlation of vision and values to specific subject areas. Over the years she received numerous awards, certificates and citations acknowledging her contributions to education.

Not only was Sr. Muriel passionate about catholic schools and the education of children, but she was also passionate about religious life and the Community. When she served as the Community contact with the Pittsburgh Catholic, she wrote to the members about the importance of the visibility of the Community. “Every outward, visible sign and symbol that says ‘We care’ is important to the building of the Kingdom of God.” We rejoice with Muriel for her faithfulness to all she held sacred. May she continue to be with us in “new” ways as we respond to God who calls us from the future.

Birthday: June 19
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Sister Lucy Schmidt

Wake Service:
Friday, February 5, 2016 at 4:15 p.m., Community Room at Providence Heights

Resurrection Service:
Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 10 a.m., Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Lucy Schmidt
who departed this life on February 1, 2016
in the seventy-eighth year of her religious life
Age: 93 years, 4 months, 23 days

You have been told…what the Lord requires of you: only to do right, to love goodness and to walk humbly with your God. [Micah 6:8]

One of six children born to Michael and Ann (Vogel) Schmidt, Bernadine entered the community of the Sisters of Divine Providence just before her 16th birthday. She felt drawn to the witness of the Sisters, especially Sister Mary Philip Hampton, who taught her at St. Mary’s in Brussels, IL. She wanted to share life as one of the Sisters.

Bernadine was named Sister Lucy, after the youngest of the first six Sisters who came from Germany in 1876. In 1939, Sister Lucy Weber asked Mother Rosalia Weaver, Provincial of the St. Louis Province, to name a postulant after her. As a newly-professed Sister in 1941, Mother Rosalia told the local superior to have Sister Lucy write a 90th birthday letter to Sister Lucy Weber. That same day was Sister Lucy Schmidt’s 19th birthday. As the years passed, Sister Lucy considered herself “the last link to our founding Sisters.”

Sister Lucy earned a BS in English and History and an MA in Theology. An educator most of her life, she taught in Madison, IL and, in Missouri, in Normandy, Bonnots Mill, Tipton, Imperial, Wardsville, Jennings, and Lemay. She also served as Director of Religious Education in Florissant, MO, as an activities coordinator and as a senior services coordinator. Sister Lucy was a woman of intelligence, who wanted to develop her potential gifts to serve others’ needs. An avid student, she attended workshops in religious education and liturgical music, as well as several Elder Hostel programs. She earned a certificate in gerontology which prepared her to direct programs to support elderly women and men. The City of St. Louis honored her as an “older worker” proclaiming, “She endeavors to set up neighborhood network volunteer services that help the frail elderly at home; to promote skill banks as a means of assisting the elderly; and to motivate older people to appreciate their own potential.”

During her many years within community, Sister Lucy offered her gifts in leadership, serving as provincial superior, as a delegate to the 1980 General Chapter which revised our Constitutions, and on many committees, one of which was to deepen our understanding of our charism of trust and openness to the Providence of God. Sister Lucy also served for a number of years on the Board of Trustees of St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. In her later years, she gathered community memories, working diligently to move, collect, organize, preserve and catalog important documents and significant items for the community archives.

Sister Lucy’s spiritual journey led her to an ever-deeper commitment and love in her relationship with God and to allow God’s call to bring about the reign of God in her service to others. She became an activist and fought for a number of social justice causes, such as budget cuts that unduly affected the poor. In 2005, at age 83, Sister Lucy travelled to Springfield IL to participate in a death penalty rally at the capitol building. She wrote many letters to legislators, to newspapers, and to governors seeking to express Gospel values and to influence their decisions, especially in terms of ending the death penalty in the United States.

Sister Lucy prayed daily for many people and needs. She often signed her letters with the following blessing. “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He give you (us, the world) peace!” As she meets Jesus she will be easily recognized for a life of responding to the Scriptural mandate heard in Micah, …doing right, loving goodness, and walking humbly with her God.

Birthday: September 8
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Sister Adele Kasper

Visitation:
Monday, February 8, 2016 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., Community Room at Providence Heights
Tuesday, February 9, 2016 from 12-3:30 p.m., Community Room at Providence Heights

Wake Service:
Monday, February 8 at 7 p.m., Community Room at Providence Heights

Resurrection Service:
Tuesday, February 9 at 3:30 p.m., Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Adele Kasper
who departed this life on February 5, 2016
in the sixty-ninth year of her religious life
Age: 84 years, 6 months, 14 days

We commit ourselves to making your Providence more visible in our world … with compassion, entering into the joys and sufferings of your people.

Patricia Kasper was the second of six children born to Genevieve (Englemeier) and Joseph Kasper. Desiring to become a Sister, Patsy was a member of the first class of aspirants who came to Providence Villa. What an experience it was for her to be a high school student and, at the same time, to learn about being a Sister!

As she entered the novitiate, Patsy was named Sister Adele. She deepened her prayer life and experienced community living, studied the vows and prepared for a life of consecration and service. Sister Adele began teaching immediately after first profession. She was privileged to have joined a community of women, who were well-known in the Diocese of Pittsburgh for their excellence in education. The Sisters provided daily assistance and mentoring to assure that Sister Adele had the support and guidance she needed to meet the students’ educational needs. After completing her Bachelor of Education degree at Duquesne University, Sister Adele took education and theology classes at the University of Notre Dame. During more than thirty-five years as a teacher and principal, Sister Adele served in Wheeling, WV and in western Pennsylvania, in Rochester, Springdale, Monaca, Castle Shannon, Greentree, Ford City, Overbrook, Duquesne, Glenshaw, Braddock, McKeesport, and in Allison Park at Providence Heights Alpha School.

Feeling called to serve poor people, Sister Adele moved to New York, where she reached out to those who were underserved. She taught in Harlem and at St. Rose of Lima School among Spanish-speaking families. Sister Adele lived and served for several years in Jeremiah’s Field on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Jeremiah’s Field was part of a network of projects which, in conjunction with Catholic Charities, assisted single women and women with children toward transitional and permanent housing. Sister Adele and other sisters lived with small groups of women who were trying to become free of drugs and alcohol, forming community with them, sharing meals and living space, tutoring them and helping them gain confidence to become more independent. Of these years, Sister Adele said, I have learned so much from these women, their simplicity of heart, and the struggles that they experience in their attempts to get their lives together. Returning to Pittsburgh, Sister Adele continued sharing her gifts and meeting new needs. She served the Sisters at the motherhouse, assisted with child care and cared for her mother until her death.

Sister Adele’s sweet disposition was evident throughout her life. As a teacher and principal, her caring was shown in the excellence of her preparation and in the ways she made each child feel special. In her years with the women in New York, her efforts to prepare them for life’s responsibilities was evident in her gentle and stable presence with them, in the midst of the daily struggles. In her senior years, Sister Adele was available too, always caring, prayerful, and generous with her time and her gifts. She loved walking and she enjoyed many opportunities to be with the Sisters, with the laity and with children. Both Sisters and family members supported Sister Adele in her faith and in her life’s journey. She made the Providence of God visible every day in multiple ways, especially in compassion, entering into the … sufferings of those she served, celebrating the joys and successes of each one, as well. Now she has entered into the presence and perfect love of God.

Birthday: July 23
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Sister Irmentraud Gärtner - Emmanuel von Ketteler Province

Sisters of Divine Providence, Mainz e.V.
Emmanuel von Ketteler Province

"My Jesus, have mercy, I trust in You"

Dear Sisters, dear family members and nurses who cared for her, yesterday morning, February 24, 2016, at 8.00 a.m. our beloved Sister Maria Irmentraud Gärtner passed away peacefully into eternal Life.

Her daily prayer to Jesus was fulfilled and now she can enjoy God’s mercy eternally.

Sr. Irmentraud was born as Katharina Gärtner on December 22, 1917 in Kleinhausen/ Bergstraße. After finishing high school she was trained as a nurse. On November 21, 1939, before completing 22 years, she entered our Congregation despite the chaos of war.

After her novitiate and temporal vows in Aschaffenburg she was sent to the convent in Münster, there she visited sick people in their homes and helped with the daily tasks of the community. As a nurse she worked from 1943 to 1945 at the Marienhospital and in 1946 she was sent to work at the Hildegardis Hospital in Mainz.

As a home visiting nurse Sister Irmentraud fulfilled her ministries from 1951 to 1955 in Ingelheim and from 1955 to 1987 in Lieck, near the Dutch border. From 1987 to 1990 she was superior at the nursing home Josefsstift in Mainz, until the closure of this ministry. Sister Irmentraud was known as a very kind and loving nurse, who had surrendered to the will of God and who worked with joy for her patients and their families and for her sisters. Her friendly and warm nature was a witness to God’s loving care.

During her whole life Sister Irmentraud had strong bonds with her brother and with other family members. She enjoyed their visits and this was always a special day for her and for the whole community. Sister Irmentraud spent her last years at the convent in Mainz Finthen. Because of the renovation in Finthen she moved to the community in Mainz. Three weeks ago she fell and broke her leg. After surgery she was brought to our care station in Aschaffenburg. We are grateful to Sister Siegfrieda for her sensitive and longtime company and care for Sister Irmentraud. We also want to thank the team of nurses at Clemensheim in Aschaffenburg who cared with kindness and love for Sister Irmentraud during her last days.

Sister Irmentraud is now our faithful intercessor for the needs of our Congregation, the Church and our world.

Feast day: October 21st

Funeral and Resurrection Liturgy: February 29, 2016 in Aschaffenburg,

Mainz-Finthen, February 25, 2016

Sr. Clementine Fritscher
Provincial Superior

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Sister Dorothy Roth

Visitation:
Wednesday, March 2, 2016 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., Community Room at Providence Heights
Thursday, March 3, 2016 from 12-3:00 p.m., Community Room at Providence Heights

Wake Service:
Wednesday, March 2 at 7 p.m., Community Room at Providence Heights

Resurrection Service:
Thursday, March 3 at 3:30 p.m., Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Dorothy Roth
who departed this life on February 29, 2016
in the seventy-eighth year of her religious life
Age: 95 years, 4 months, 11 days

Sister Dorothy Roth lived several lifetimes making God’s Providence visible. First-born of Herman and Regina (Killmeyer) Roth, she was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers, Herman and Kenneth. She is survived by her sister Mary Jean, whose name she shared for many years. Of the Sisters of Divine Providence who taught her throughout grade and high school at St. Martin’s, West End: "I loved and admired them, and wanted to be one of them, from about day 1.”

Dorothy was healer, educator, runner, writer of letters to the editor. Never angry, always positive and life-giving, and always requiring that the patient come first.

She was healer since 1940 when she began studying nursing at St. John's Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh. In 1943, she became a head nurse there, and served in that role until 1951. When the Sisters left St. John’s, she was one of the group that went to Mercy, where she was a clinical instructor. In 1955, she became one of the pioneers at Divine Providence Hospital. She then served alternately at Divine Providence and Braddock for a number of years, but with time off to complete her education at Catholic University.

As a nurse educator, Dorothy also was a learner about human nature. When she was in charge of a school of nursing, she was an enlightened directress. She even made pillow fights legal. She thought doing that would end a lot of dormitory nonsense, but the students invented a new form of nonsense. It seems that they just had to have some rules to break.

When Dorothy became a visiting nurse, she asked to be assigned to the Hill District. One day she was mugged and then had to take time off to recover from a fractured wrist. When she went back to visiting her patients, she observed a gun-carrying guard close by, to protect her if necessary. She decided that she could not continue to serve in those circumstances, since she was an advocate for nonviolence. “I wasn't willing to be protected by a gun." The visiting nurse association reconsidered the gun policy, and then asked her to return, but she already had set her sights in another direction.

At the age of 73, Sister Dorothy went off to Puerto Rico to provide health care and pastoral support to the elderly poor. She provided care for a time at a free clinic. When she learned that people were not coming to the clinic because they had no way of getting there, she went to them. She later spoke of her 10 years in Puerto Rico as the happiest of her years in religious life. It was there that she achieved a dream of doing hands-on nursing, rather than nursing administration or nursing education.

On her return to Providence Heights, Sister Dorothy took up distance running. She participated in races and won trophies. In 2008, she finished first in the over-90 age group (but later acknowledged that she was the only entrant in that category). She said of herself, “… I did it especially for all our sisters over 70. … The point is we over 70s are not finished. In terms of love and Providence we can all make a tremendous impact on the community and on all the people whose lives we touch.”

The prophet Isaiah probably described best Dorothy’s full life: “They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; they will RUN and not grow weary.”

Birthday: October 19
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Sister Marietta Ruhe

Visitation:
Thursday, June 9, 2016 from 1-9 p.m, Community Room at Providence Heights
Friday, June 10, 2016 from 12-4:00 p.m., Community Room at Providence Heights

Wake Service:
Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 7 p.m., Community Room at Providence Heights

Resurrection Service:
Friday, June 10, 2016 at 4 p.m., Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Marietta Ruhe
who departed this life on June 7, 2016
in the seventieth year of her religious life
Age: 85 years, 1 month, 9 days
Resurrection Service: Friday, June 10, 2016 at 4 p.m.

…those with insight shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever. (Daniel 12)

On Tuesday evening, June 7, 2016, Sister Marietta Ruhe slipped away quietly. Sister Natalie Marchetti described her as uplifting and lighthearted; Sister Anne Winschel as having an incredible sense of humor. Sisters Mary Margaret Paliotte and Rochelle Holly observed that she spread a quiet sense of joy and happiness in her dealings with others, and that she always had an open ear and a way of listening so as to be of comfort and help to those who needed it.

Evelyn Ruhe was born in Duquesne, daughter of Anna and Ray Ruhe. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence in September of 1946. She later said of the community: “the Sisters of Divine Providence have adapted themselves to meet the needs of the times.” She was followed into the community by her younger sister, Sister Jeanine. The two sisters were very close, having been through thick and thin together, including phases such as giddiness. About being in a community with relatives, Marietta later said, “For me I have only found it something positive to have a relative in community. I can share my joys and sorrow and also divide up the tasks.”

Sister Marietta was a person, a star, who lived her whole life in service. And she was well prepared for this, having been educated at Duquesne, Catholic University and Marquette. She was an educator, not only in Pennsylvania but also in Ohio and Massachusetts. When she taught 4th grade in McKees Rocks, the 3rd graders prayed they would be in her class for the next year. She was a parish social minister at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh, and, when she retired from the Cathedral in 2008, they said of her,

“Sr. Marietta, forever cheerful and laughing, gave herself to the poor, the elderly, the shut-ins, hospitalized and those in nursing homes, and always wanted to bring some joy and relief from suffering into their lives. As she retires from her outstanding ministry here, we not only owe her our gratitude, but also promise our prayers that God will bless her in all her days ahead.”

After “retirement,” she was dedicated to the weekly Bingo events at St. Ambrose Manor where she served on the Bingo Committee and was a caller with a sense of humor. In her “spare time,” Marietta volunteered at Epiphany Church, and also sang in the Resurrection Choir at Holy Wisdom Parish. And she continued, Sister Anne Winschel said, to keep up correspondence with classmates who had left the Community. AND, she was an avid sports fan: the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates.

She once said of herself that the 3 words that best describe her are SINCERE, PERCEPTIVE and OPTIMISTIC.

At one time in her life she also said that her favorite quote is: Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46) Now she and God know each other in a new and wonderful way, and she shines like the stars!

Birthday: April 30
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Sister Ann Phillippi

Visitation:
Monday, August 1, 2016 from 2-8 p.m., Providence House Chapel - Kingston, Massachusetts

Wake Service:
Monday, August 1, 2016 at 7:30 p.m., Providence House Chapel - Kingston, Massachusetts

Resurrection Service:
Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 4 p.m., Providence House Chapel - Kingston, Massachusetts

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Ann Phillippi
who departed this life on July 28, 2016
in the seventy-eighth year of her religious life
Age: 94 years, 11 months, 8 days

Jesus said, let the little children come to me… The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. (Matt. 19:14)

Anna Catherine was the eighth of ten children born to Anna (Mueller) and Peter Phillippi. When she celebrated her 75th jubilee, Sister Ann wrote that she wanted to be like Sister Walburga Gretter, her first grade teacher and the one who had the most influence on her call to religious life.

Named Sister Mary Linus when she became a novice, she began her career as a teacher while also studying for a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree in education. Sister Mary Linus began teaching at St. Mary’s School in Beaver Falls, PA and later at All Saints in Etna. Transferring to the New England Province, she taught in South Weymouth and in Orleans, Mass. and also in Stamford, Conn. Returning to her baptismal name, she was first called Sister Ann Catherine and then simply Sister Ann. In 1973 she moved to Sacred Heart Elementary School in Kingston, Mass. where she continued teaching until her retirement forty years later. During many of those years, Sister Ann also taught CCD to first communion classes in local parishes. She wrote, “It was such a reward to see the children respond to God’s love for them.”

Like Jesus, Sister Ann loved the little children and they were drawn to her cheerful disposition and her loving care, as she helped each one to grow and become healthy and happy individuals. In the summers, Sister Ann could be found in the Craft Shop at Camp Mishannock in Kingston, teaching new skills to the campers while helping them to build relationships and care for one another.

Sister Ann wrote, “Community living is very important to me – living together, working and praying together and enjoying one another’s company. By doing this, we share God’s love and joy.” Her positive attitude and gentle presence gave witness to her deep relationship with God and her commitment to live in love and to share God’s love with others. Sister Ann was known to listen intently and to share her insights during the Sisters’ monthly book discussions. Enjoying good conversation with her Sisters, even in the midst of personal health challenges, Sister Ann’s stories and laughter were enjoyed at meals and while playing games with others.

After her retirement, Sister Ann spent special times in prayer for the needs of the community. She brought communion to the residents of Lourdes Center each morning and shared moments of prayer with them. More recently, Sister Ann became known as “Ma Bell,” answering the telephone every weekday morning until just a few weeks ago. The clarity of her voice over the paging system assured that no one missed a call. She also crocheted many beautiful afghans, crafting lovely gifts for babies. When she had the opportunity to enjoy moments with the children attending Sacred Heart, Sister Ann easily recalled the many young children she had taught. As Sister Ann always “let the little children come” to her, we know that she is restored to the full vitality of life with God and that “the kingdom of heaven belongs” to her.

Birthday: August 20
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Sister Ida Mary Lutz

Visitation:
Monday, August 15, 2016 from 2-8 p.m., Providence House Chapel - Kingston, Massachusetts

Wake Service:
Monday, August 15, 2016 at 7:30 p.m., Providence House Chapel - Kingston, Massachusetts

Resurrection Service:
Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 3:30 p.m., Providence House Chapel - Kingston, Massachusetts

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Ida Mary Lutz
who departed this life on August 10, 2016
in the sixty-fifth year of her religious life
Age: 85 years, 16 days

“My song will be for you forever. You, the music in my heart.” (David Haas)

Sister Ida Mary sang a song of love and faithfulness as a Sister of Divine Providence. She opened herself to the gift of Providence and, in communion with her Sisters, committed herself to co-create a world of compassion, justice and peace. As a woman of Providence, she immersed herself in the spirituality of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and sought to be transformed to love and to see God’s presence everywhere in the universe.

Valeria Ann was the third of six children born to Mathilda Yester and George Lutz in Etna, PA. Her sister, Nancy, shared that when growing up, she remembered a home filled with faith, love and laughter. She entered the Community from All Saints, Etna on December 27, 1949.

Ida Mary began her teaching career in Pittsburgh, PA, but in 1958 responded to the call to minister with her Sisters in the formation of Our Lady's Province in Kingston, Mass. She dedicated a significant portion of her life to teaching science, spending more than forty-five years as a teacher and/or principal at Sacred Heart High School, inspiring and encouraging students to be all they were meant to be! Her passion as a scientist and love for the universe was evident in and out of the classroom. She immersed herself in reading and exploring the new cosmology which reflects the oneness and the interconnectedness of all of creation. She delighted in spending time outdoors, immersing herself in all of creation.

During her years as Provincial, 1981 – 1990, Ida Mary oversaw the construction of the Home Care Annex, later named the Lourdes Center. She sought to make this a place of comfort for the elderly and infirm members of the Community. As a Board Member for the Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless, she was instrumental in the Province’s donation of land where a shelter for homeless families could be built. Pilgrim’s Hope Shelter continues to flourish, offering a haven for many in dire need. After completing 10 years as Provincial, she spent several months in a rural Appalachian area, St. Charles, VA, with Sisters Elizabeth Vines, CDP and Beth Davies, CND, being a Providence presence.

Ida Mary was a faithful companion to her Sisters in Community. She was known as a genuine woman of integrity, simplicity and gentle strength. Sisters, family and friends often noted in the last few months of her life how Ida chose to live to the fullest as she continued to be present to all. She was always eager to help the Sisters enjoy a good party on special occasions, ever ready to play games and relax.

Ida Mary received the gift of a harp when she celebrated her Golden Jubilee. She took lessons, developed her skill at playing the harp and, on occasion shared her gift of music with the Community. The time she spent playing her harp were moments of prayer and contemplation.

Ida Mary pledged her love forever and joyfully shared her gifts and lived in service to others, the Church and the universe. And, in the spirit of Chardin, she harnessed her energies for a love that never ends.

“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.” (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin)

Birthday: July 26

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Sister Maria Lidwina Kilp - Emmanuel von Ketteler Province

We exalt your Providence o Lord and we commit ourselves to making your Providence more visible in our world.

Dear Sisters, members of her family and care givers,

Sister Maria Lidwina Kilp, given name Elisabeth
was born on March 26, 1936, in Sinzig-Westum,
She departed peacefully on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016.

When the extensive reconstruction work in Mainz-Finthen began in May 2015 Sister Maria Lidwina had to leave her community house where she had lived and worked for many years. She went to the to the Motherhouse in Mainz. Shortly after that, cancer was diagnosed during a hospital stay. She decided not to take any further treatments.

In 1957 Elisabeth Kilp entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence in Mainz and received the name Sister Maria Lidwina. After her first Profession on September 8th, 1960 she was sent to the academy in Paderborn to be educated a home economist. After she received her license she worked for 13 years in the kitchen of the nursing home in Gau-Algesheim and on evenings she gave classes of home economics for young women. In 1977 she was assigned to the convent in Finthen, our foundation place, and was the head of the kitchen until her retirement. After her duties were taken over by employees, her possibility to help was limited by the increasing impairment of her eyesight.

During the years of her retirement she always was in contact with her relatives and friends. In the last three years, she was no longer able to spend her vacation time with her dear sister but she maintained the telephone contact regularly until the last days of her life.

Her final days were spent at the infirmary in Aschaffenburg where she enjoyed the community, but she hoped that she could come back to Finthen. In March 2016, she celebrated her 80th birthday together with family members and the Sisters of her community.

Sister Lidwina lived with confidence and trust in God’s Providence and her presence was characterized by her sense of humor and her joy to sing with others. We will miss Sister Lidwina with her encouraging humor and her willingness to share with the Sisters of her community and we are sure she will be a faithful advocate on the throne of God for all of us.

Liturgy of Resurrection is on Friday, December 23, 2016 in the Chapel of Aschaffenburg.
The liturgy will be followed by the burial at the Old Cemetery in Aschaffenburg.

Mainz-Finthen, December 22nd 2016

Sr. Clementine Fritscher
Provincial Superior

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Sister Anne-Margret Kohl - Emmanuel von Ketteler Province

“I will bless you, so that you will be a blessing.“ Gen.12.1
This blessing guided the life of

Sister Anne-Margret Kohl

Anne-Margret Kohl was born on April 24, 1932 inSchimbach/Odenwald.
During the night of Christmas on December 26, 2016 at 1:25 a.m., in the company of our Sisters and nurses in the infirmary in Aschaffenburg, she passed away peacefully. She lives now in God’s glory.

Already when she was 16 years old, Anne-Margret experienced the call to be a missionary. After her professional training as seamstress she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence on August 14, 1952. In the novitiate, she received the name Sister Maria Narcissa. Later she changed her name back to her name of baptism. Her first profession was on September 8, 1955. Until her final profession on May 1, 1961, she worked as a seamstress in our home economic school in Heinsberg.

In 1961 Sister Anne-Margret was sent to Rome to take care of the pilgrims at Villa Mater Dei. Here she received training to be a nurse. This training was in preparation to be a missionary. In December, 1966, she had the opportunity to learn English with our Sisters in Pittsburgh, USA. After 8 months of study, Sr. Anne-Margret was sent to Korea to work with the American Sisters and with our first Korean Sisters as a nurse. However, she became ill and she had to go back to Germany to recuperate. From 1969 to1975, she worked at the Marien Hospital in Darmstadt and at the Ketteler Krankenhaus in Offenbach as a nurse.

On March 24, 1976, she left Germany and was sent as a missionary to Peru to work first at the hospital in Abancay. Later she went with two Peruvian Sisters to open a community health care center in Huancarama, a village in the Andes. Because of the political situation of terrorism, she had to leave the area and was sent to Lima. Sister Anne-Margret always cared for the poor and for the forgotten. After her return to Abancay she started a new project for the most needed in this area, the physically disabled people. With the support of donations in Peru and from German donors, she could build a center for handicapped that offered work and community for people with disabilities.

In March 2013, with declining health conditions Sister Anne-Margret decided to go back to Germany and to share the last years of her life with her Sisters and family members.

We are grateful for Sister Anne-Margret, who had special love for the poor, she will be now our intercessor for the needs of our world and of our community.

Liturgy of Resurrection on Friday, December 30, 2016 in the Chapel of Aschaffenburg.
Followed by the burial at the Old Cemetery in Aschaffenburg.

Mainz-Finthen, December 27nd 2016

Sr. Clementine Fritscher
Provincial Superior

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In Memory 2016