| Sisters of Divine Providence

Sister Rosaria Bednar

Viewing in the Community Room at Providence Heights on Wednesday, March 12 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
and on Thursday, March 13 from Noon-3:30 p.m.
Wake Service in the Community Room on Wednesday, March 12 at 7 p.m.
Mass of Resurrection on Thursday, March 13 at 4 p.m. in the Mother of Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights.

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Rosaria Bednar
who departed this life on March 10, 2014
in the eighty-second year of her religious life
Age: 98 years, 9 months, 27 days
Resurrection Service: Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 4 p.m.

But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament. And those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever. (Daniel 12:2)

Sister Rosaria Bednar—daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, teacher, administrator, mentor, woman of Providence--a woman with many names, will likely be remembered for all of them.

Mary Catherine Bednar was born May 13, 1915, one of the 12 children of Anna (Javorsky) and John Joseph Bednar. She joined the Sisters of Divine Providence, the community who educated her at St. Mary’s in McKees Rocks. She excelled in her own studies and in passing on knowledge to her students, especially in the areas of math, science, and living. One of her students wrote to her: “I remember that I did the test in all of 15 minutes...much to your credit of being a great teacher I ended up with an 'A'...A real compliment of your teaching ability.” Another wrote: “While so many of my peers were grappling with basic morality and ethics, I felt no confusion. We had learned long ago at St. Mary's the difference between what we wish to be right because it feels right and what we know in our hearts is truly right...” Who knows how many students she taught, how many she led to justice?

After earning undergraduate and graduate degrees, Rosaria attended a number of institutions of higher education, in Pa. and out of state, supported by grants, so that she could improve her teaching in math and physics. And teach she did. If a student could not quite make the grade, despite trying, she would find a way to pass the student. Rosaria understood that rules represented an ideal and were to serve us, not the other way around.

She was a principled individual, truly a woman of independent means. After she left formal classroom teaching, she found other ways to be of service. In her later years, she visited people and cheered them up, by her presence and her dry wit. Never a shy person, she was always ready to add some reality to any situation. She was truly a realist but was always willing to work to make a situation better, and always enjoyed a good time. She had many enjoyable times attending class reunions of students she taught. She probably holds a record for class reunions attended.

Rosaria’s family was very important to her, every generation. Perhaps her life is best summed up by a family member who wrote to her: “As I am sure that you are aware, the kids have also enjoyed being with you immensely. You make them feel important. At the same time, I think you help imbue in them a sense of what is important in life, of God and his love, and of the advantage of a simple way of life. I don't think they understand yet how their sense of values is developing. Yet I see your constant, good, and loving influence, and I think one day they may grasp it all a bit better themselves.”

Perhaps today...

Birthday: May 13
Written by Sister Mary Traupman

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Rosaria, visit our donation page.

Read Sister Rosaria Bednar's profile from the Meet Us section of our site, posted before her death.

Attachment	Size
sister_rosaria_bednar_-_march_10_2014.pdf	116.31 KB

Sister Geraldine Thiel

Resurrection Service: Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Parish, Alton, IL
Wake: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Staten-Fine (220 Court, Alton, IL 62202). Rosary/service at 5:30 p.m.

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Geraldine Thiel
who departed this life on April 27, 2014
in the sixty-sixth year of her religious life
Age: 80 years, 11 months, 17 days

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3-4)

On Mercy Sunday, a week into the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, Sister Geraldine was gifted to be called home to live in eternal joy with God. Truly she has received a new birth to a living hope!

Loretta Anna Thiel was baptized and educated by the Sisters of Divine Providence at her home parish of St. Andrew’s in Tipton, Mo. With the Sisters’ example and invitation, Loretta entered the Community at age 15, leaving behind her parents and her younger brother. Named Sister Geraldine, she thrived on all she was learning, deepening her prayer life and her relationship with God, and experiencing the joys and struggles of living in community with many other idealistic young women. Following her novitiate, Sister Geraldine completed her studies, earning a bachelor of science degree in religion, with minors in philosophy and education from St. Louis University.

For almost 25 years, until 1974, Sister Geraldine taught in elementary schools from Normandy, Wardsville, California, and Lemay, in Missouri, to Meppen, Brussels, Granite City, Venice, and finally Westchester, in Illinois. At two of these schools, she also served as the principal. From teaching, Sister Geraldine moved into pastoral ministry at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Granite City, and later was a pastoral associate at St. Philip Parish in Centreville, Ill. Sister Geraldine ended her years of ministry by providing transport of lab samples to hospitals in the area of Granite City, and serving the needs of the Sisters at Mount Providence, the provincial house for the former St. Louis Province.

Sister Geraldine loved people. She loved being among them and talking with them. She was patient and pleasant, offering loving presence to those with whom she lived and those she served. Her greatest joy came while ministering as a pastoral minister among those who needed care and attention in the hospital.

As Sister Geraldine experienced the debilitating effects of dementia, she remained always the same cheerful woman she had been during her earlier days of community and ministry. On this Mercy Sunday, having prepared and loved her into fullness, our merciful God welcomed Sister Geraldine to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for [her], who by the power of God [was] safeguarded through faith, to a salvation ready to be revealed in the final time. (1 Pet 1:5-6)

Birthday: May 10
SMFF

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Geraldine, visit our donation page.

Read Sister Geraldine's profile from the Meet Us section of the site, posted before her death.

Attachment	Size
sister_geraldine_thiel_-_april_27_2014.pdf	100.87 KB

Sister Agnes Schmidt

Resurrection Service: Friday, May 30, 2014, at 10:00 a.m., St. Mary's Church, Alton, IL
Wake: Thursday, May 29, 2014 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Staten-Fine (220 Court, Alton, IL 62202). Rosary/service at 7:00 p.m.

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Agnes Schmidt
who departed this life on May 26, 2014
in the seventy-second year of her religious life
Age: 87 years, 2 months, 23 days

You, oh my God, are my patience and my strength … Oh my God, give me unwearying zeal, gentleness, and kindness of heart, and tireless patience. Make me an instrument of your love.

(Marie de la Roche)

Rosemary Jane Schmidt attended St. Andrew’s elementary school and parish in Tipton, Missouri, where she met, and was drawn in a special way to, the Sisters of Divine Providence. As soon as she was old enough, Rosemary left her family to begin life as a Sister. She continued her high school education, became a novice, was named Sister Agnes, and prepared for a life of prayer, community, and consecration to God. In those years, she deepened the trust and confidence in God that would sustain her even in her final days. After professing first vows, Sister Agnes began to teach under the guidance of skilled Sister educators while also working toward a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geography and education from St. Louis University.

Sister Agnes loved teaching; she loved the students and their parents, and she loved being part of the parish community and her religious community. She was a dedicated, organized, well-respected educator who was known in the Community as one of the best teachers. She was often a mentor for younger Sisters as they started teaching. As she gained skill and maturity, Sister Agnes was also entrusted by her superiors with the responsibilities of principal and local superior for the Sisters.

An educator for more than fifty years, Sister Agnes served in schools in Brussels, Venice, Madison, and Granite City, Illinois, in Shreveport, Louisiana, at Mount Providence in Normandy, Missouri, and also in St. Louis and Wardsville, Missouri. Even after retirement, Sister Agnes kept in touch with former students and teachers from the parishes and schools where she had been missioned.

Retiring in 1996, Sister Agnes still continued to serve others. She was happy for the past twelve years to prepare and lead the music for daily mass at St. Clare’s Villa. She delighted in opportunities to be with people and always enjoyed talking with them. She loved classical music and was often found playing an afternoon pinochle game with other St. Clare residents. Sister Agnes also generously wrote birthday cards to Providence Partners and signed thank-you letters to the Sisters’ financial donors.

Sister Agnes valued opportunities to be with her family whenever she could, and she was especially proud of her brother priest, Father Ed. In the last few years, her sister Mary came to live as a resident at the Villa and they were able to support one another in new ways.

A serious accident in February, just three months ago, left Sister Agnes with many physical challenges from which she was unable to recover. One of the hardest things for her was having a tracheotomy, which made it very difficult to communicate with those she loved. Throughout these final months, Sister Agnes was sustained by her deep faith and life of prayer. She placed her trust, as she always did, in the God of Providence to whom she had witnessed all the days of her life!

Birthday: March 3
SMFF

f you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Geraldine, visit our donation page.

Read Sister Agnes' profile from the Meet Us section of the site, posted before her death.

Sister Victorine Verosky

Viewing in the Community Room at Providence Heights on Tuesday, June 17 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
and on Wednesday, June 18 from Noon-3:30 p.m.
Wake Service in the Community Room on Tuesday, June 17 at 7 p.m.
Mass of Resurrection on Wednesday, June 18 at 4 p.m. in the Mother of Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights.

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Victorine Verosky
who departed this life on June 15, 2014
in the eighty-fifth year of her religious life
Age: 100 years, 10 months, 23 days
Resurrection Service: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 4:00 p.m.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” (from the letter to the Corinthians for June 15, 2014, The Feast of the Holy Trinity and Divine Providence)

Sister Victorine Verosky passed quietly into eternity on Sunday, June 15 as the Community celebrated the feast day of Divine Providence, the name we call our Triune God. Sister Victorine lived a full life, having joined the ranks of Centenarians, on July 22, 2013. She showed signs of decline on Saturday morning and remained peaceful during the hours she waited to be united with the God she served so faithfully during her long life. Madeline Verosky, daughter of Agnes D’Zmura and Michael Verosky, grew up in St. Joseph Parish in Braddock, PA She attended Divine Providence Academy and in her own writings, cites the teachers at Divine Providence Academy as being the most influential factor in her decision to enter religious life. She entered the Congregation after graduating from the Academy in 1929.

Her life of scholarship in languages and literature was nurtured in the Community as she pursued a master’s degree in secondary education from Duquesne University, a master’s degree in theology from Providence College, RI and a Ph.D. in literature from Fordham. Following her master’s education, Sister Victorine taught at Catholic high schools in Pennsylvania and Ohio for 26 years. When La Roche College received its charter in 1963, Sister Victorine was named its first Academic Dean. Here she also taught courses in English literature and theology. This ministry, which lasted for two years, was followed by an invitation from the General Superior to begin a training program for young women interested in joining the Congregation in its new South Korean foundation. During this time she was also a member of Sogang University, the Jesuit University in Seoul. She remained in Korea as the founding regional Superior for 21 years. While serving in South Korea, she became an expert in the Korean language as well as in the literature of Asia. A testimony to her effectiveness is the young, dynamic St. Joseph Province in South Korea which now numbers 130 Sisters of Divine Providence.

From Asia, Sister Victorine, at age 75, traveled to Haiti, where she assumed the position of Academic Dean at the American University of Les Cayes. She joined with members of other religious Communities in a project to combat illiteracy in the county which at that time was estimated to be 90 percent. For this one year commitment, she said “I will be teaching wherever I am needed.” Following the year in Haiti, Sister Victorine went to New York. She was engaged in parish ministry at St. Rose of Lima Parish in New York City for six years. Finally, in 1995 she began her final active ministry which was at Jeremiah’s Field in the Spanish Harlem section of New York City. The mission of this program was to provide transitional housing to single homeless women in recovery from substance abuse. In a letter received by the Congregation about Sister Victorine’s service in this last ministry, it was stated that “She was able to encourage and sustain the women compassionately and firmly. She was responsible for creating a direction and atmosphere for living in shared space.” As she finished this ministry, she reflected back on all her years of service and said that she tried to live out of the ideals of Bishop Ketteler.

Sister Victorine was named La Roche College’s Woman of Providence in 1998. La Roche College’s English Department also named an award for scholarship in English in her honor. Sister Victorine has been teacher, missionary, and servant leader throughout her active life in Community. Her inspiration has come from her deep faith in a provident God, whose wisdom and love for humanity she exemplified so well. She now rests in the embrace of her Triune God whose name is Providence.

Feastday: October 7
SMF

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Victorine visit our donation page.

Read Sister Victorine Verosky's profile from the Meet Us section of our site, posted before her death.

Attachment	Size
sister_victorine_verosky_june152014.pdf	97.19 KB

Sister Marie Luraghi

Viewing in the Community Room at Providence Heights on Friday, June 20 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and on Saturday, June 21 from 9-10:30 a.m.
Wake Service in the Community Room on Friday, June 20 at 7 p.m.
Mass of Resurrection on Saturday, June 21 at 11 a.m. in the Mother of Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights.

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Marie Luraghi
who departed this life on June 18, 2014
in the seventy-first year of her religious life
Age: 88 years, 2 months, 21 days
Resurrection Service: Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.

“But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” (Daniel 12:2)

A book titled, As Stars for All Eternity, was published in the 1960s. The title is taken from the Book of Daniel, and the book was written in praise of teachers. Sister Marie Luraghi certainly was a star as educator.

Sister Marie (Margaret) Luraghi was born in Beaver Falls; her parents were Philip and Marie Luraghi. She was the sixth of ten siblings: John, Ellsworth, Florence, Marie, Laura, Ruth, Norma Jean, James and Kaye. She is survived by her brother James. She was especially close to her youngest sister. Kaye struggled with health problems, and Marie really looked out for her.

Sister Marie was well prepared for the ministry of education. She had degrees and certificates from Duquesne University, Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee and the University of Dayton, Ohio, including Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts degrees. She had a knack for teaching.

She was a primary teacher, principal, educational consultant in the Pittsburgh, Detroit and Youngstown Dioceses, and also ministered to the elderly in parishes in Beaver County.

Sister Marie was a woman of many gifts. Foremost among them was her gift for teaching young children. She was an excellent primary teacher, meticulous and dedicated to her students. Sr. Marlene Luffy remembers that she never raised her voice and she taught calmly even when correcting the students.

When St. Anne School in Castle Shannon was chosen as one of the pilot schools for the non-graded system, Sister Marie was one of four sisters of Divine Providence who received the necessary training and orientation for the new system. She was also one of the pioneers to initiate a new mathematics program in the primary grades of the new non-graded system.

Sister Marie was also a pioneer in the beginnings of some schools staffed by the Sisters of Divine Providence. One of these, in the early 1950’s, was in Michigan, Our Lady Queen of Peace. Later, in 1959 she and three other sisters began St. Bonaventure School in Glenshaw.

She also was a fun-loving person, which served the sisters in Michigan, as well as herself, very well. Those early sisters did not come back to Pittsburgh during the school year, so making fun was very important to their well-being.

Sister Marie was a most excellent cook and baker. Many people enjoyed the fruits of her hands in that regard and she would surprise people every now and then with another new and miraculous and tasty creation.

She also was a lover of things beautiful and, after shopping for bargains, she would wrap gifts, especially for Christmas. She was very creative in making bows for gifts and usually was in charge of wrapping benefactors’ gifts for Christmas, because she could make him look so beautiful.

Sister Marie goes well prepared into the eternal banquet feast, a Star encountering Infinite Beauty.

Birthday: March 27
SMT

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Marie visit our donation page.

Attachment	Size
sister_marie_luraghi_june_18_2014.pdf	132.33 KB

Sister Roberta Grzelak

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved Sister Roberta Grzelak, who departed this life on September 15, 2014, in the fifty-sixth year of her religious life; age: 73 years, 1 months, 23 days.

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” [Matt. 6: 33-34]

Sister Roberta lived her entire life trusting in the God of Providence. She was a wise woman, realizing that who she was and the gifts she had were to be given away, particularly to those in need. Roberta lived with an open heart and hands believing in the goodness of all people and that whatever resources she needed for ministry would come to her. She was a woman who never worried.

Sister Roberta was the older of two daughters born to Josephine Brzezina and Edward Grzelak, in Hamtramck MI. Roberta entered the Community from St. Augustine’s Parish, Detroit MI, on September 7, 1958. Sister Roberta began her ministry as a teacher in Pittsburgh and Detroit. Early in her religious life she volunteered to teach in Puerto Rico. In 1968, Roberta left her home, moved to Puerto Rico and instantly fell in love with the island and its people. She spent the next 14 years teaching religion, both at the elementary and secondary levels, in Arecibo and Orocovis. She returned to the States for a few years where she taught Religion at Divine Providence Academy and then went to minister in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston as the Associate Director for Religion.

Roberta was lured back to Puerto Rico in 1986 and returned to Colegio San Felipe in Arecibo. Profoundly aware of the social justice charism of the Community, Roberta soon realized that her compassionate and generous heart for justice compelled her to do more. She was greatly moved by the poor living conditions of the people in Arecibo. She approached the bishop and offered her services to seek a solution. She inquired about available resources and a budget for her ministry and was told there was none! “The bishop gave me a pencil, paper, and a $400 monthly salary and told me to get started.” In 1992, Roberta founded and was the first director of La Oficina para la Promoción y el Desarrollo Humano, where she ministered until 2009. Having enabled others to carry on the ministry, she left her position and returned to Pittsburgh.

Roberta continued her ministry as Parish Social Minister at St. Regis Parish in Oakland where her knowledge of Spanish was a great asset. She shared often how much she needed to learn for her ministry. She was a gentle, loving, generous and inclusive presence and could certainly “be” with anyone. It was here that she began to live the vision of the community that was yet to be written. She cherished our intercultural and international ties, strove for right relationships with all, lived and promoted every form of non-violence, courageously risked being marginalized, and generously shared in the midst of scarcity.

In Roberta’s own words: “I am totally committed to the Social Justice Charism of both of our founders, Bishop Ketteler and Mother Marie. This has defined my life: working to help/empower the poor; compassionately caring for and about the vulnerable, being the voice of the poor, empowering families and communities.”

Who shall find a Providence woman? We have!

Birthday: July 22
SDMG

Read Sister Roberta Grzelak's profile from the Meet Us section of our site, posted before her death.

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Roberta visit our donation page.

To view a video tribute to Sister Roberta, click here.

Attachment	Size
Death Letter	209.67 KB
Reflection from Funeral	265.11 KB

Sister Rita Bracht

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved Sister Rita Bracht, who departed this life on September 18, 2014 , in the sixty-ninth year of her religious life; age: 87 years, 10 months, 14 days.

… who sings praise, does not only praise, but also praises joyfully; who sings praise, not only sings, but also loves God … (St. Augustine)

Sister Rita Bracht, who now most assuredly is singing with all the choirs of angels, exemplified this maxim of St. Augustine.

Sister Rita lived a life that was much to sing about. She was the youngest of seven sons and daughters of Margaret (Centner) and William Henry Bracht. She outlived her siblings Mark, Rev. Lewis, Mary Ida McDonough, Margaret, Anna Fortwangler, and Dorothea Hock.

Growing up, she attended SS. Peter and Paul grade school and Divine Providence Academy, and after graduation, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence. She lived her entire religious as an educator: as teacher, principal, administrative assistant for the diocese or a school, or as school librarian. Sister Rita also ministered as an educator in the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Diocese of Pittsburgh, north, south, east and west. She was educated for this work at Duquesne University and St. Francis College, Loretto.

“Aunt Rita” was very, very close to family, her sisters first of all, and then all their children, some of whom are now grandparents. When the next generation would make First Communion or be confirmed, they were whisked off to visit Aunt Rita, who celebrated with them. Several years ago, she had the opportunity to visit in the Southwest. She visited a niece for whom she was godmother. They went to the Grand Canyon, and Aunt Rita was able to enjoy the beauty of it. She and all her sisters were a very good influence on the next generation of the family.

The family remembers her as a lovely lady, with faith and courage, who was very inspiring. She told one of her nephews that she wished she could be like her mother, and he told her she was. He was very much aware of her courage in facing death.

Rita’s spiritual director experienced her as a faith-full woman. When she prayed, she prayed with art. She would draw her prayer.

But it is her singing that most of us will remember. She had the most beautiful voice; her friends encouraged her singing, and she was one of the singers in her family. As an elementary school teacher, she used the perfect instrument, her voice, to teach music. She sang in church choirs; at Providence Heights, she was a wonderful cantor and prayer leader. After her illness earlier this year, she did not have the breath to sing; however, just recently, she started attending choir practice again and was very happy to be able to be singing.

When Rita was a student at Divine Providence Academy, an all-girl school, she had the role of the prince in the musical The Student Prince. Perhaps her song is now the song of the prince, when he was called home:

“I'll walk with God from this day on … There is no death though eyes grow dim; There is no fear when I'm near to Him, I'll lean on Him forever, And He'll forsake me never … His hand will guide my path aright, And I'll never walk alone, While I walk with God.”

Birthdate: November 4
SMT

Read Sister Rita Bracht's profile from the Meet Us section of our site, posted before her death.

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Rita visit our donation page.

Attachment	Size
Death Letter	111.68 KB

Sister Constance Marie Waltman

Funeral arrangements for †Sister Constance Marie Waltman are as follows:

Viewing in the Community Room at Providence Heights on Friday, October 3 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and on Saturday, October 4 from Noon-3:30 p.m.

Wake Service in the Community Room on Friday, October 3 at 7 p.m.

Mass of Resurrection on Saturday, October 4 at 4 p.m. in the Mother of Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights.

Read Sister Constance Marie Waltman's profile from the Meet Us section of our site, posted before her death.

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Anita visit our donation page.

Attachment	Size
Death Letter	110.92 KB

Sister Bernadette Chapin

Funeral arrangements for †Sister Bernadette Chapin are as follows:

Viewing in the Chapel at Providence House in Kingston on Sunday, October 19 from 2-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. with the Wake Service at 7:30 p.m.

Mass of Resurrection on Monday, October 20 at 3:30 p.m.

Attachment	Size
sister_bernadette_chapin_-_october_17_2014.pdf	62.88 KB

Sister Florita Rodman

Funeral arrangements for †Sister Florita Rodman are as follows:
Viewing in the Chapel at Providence House in Kingston on Wednesday, November 12 from 2-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. with the Wake Service at 7:30 p.m.
Mass of Resurrection on Thursday, November 13 at 3:00 p.m.

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Florita Rodman
who departed this life on November 8, 2014
in the sixty-seventh year of her religious life
Age: 82 years, 0 months, 10 days
Resurrection Service: Thursday, November 13, 2014,
at 3:00 p.m., Providence House Chapel

“Oh, how our Provident God works.” (Sister Florita)

Teresa was the oldest of seven children born to Anna (Judermanns), originally from Aachen, Germany, and George Rodman. Growing up in McKeesport, Pa., she was taught by the Sisters of Divine Providence in elementary school and at Providence Villa High School. In the summer of 1947, Teresa, with two other Villa students, traveled to Kingston, Mass., to be junior counselors at Camp Mishannock, a newly-opened ministry of the Sisters.

Teresa was given the name Sister Florita (little flower) and was prepared for a life of ministry, supported by prayer within a community consecrated to the God of Providence. Educated first as a primary teacher and later achieving a master’s degree in theological studies, Sister Florita continued to study throughout her life, receiving certificates in religious education, as a pastoral associate, and in pastoral administration. Sister Florita’s ministry expanded into religious education and pastoral ministry in parishes of the Archdiocese of Boston, in Ocean Bluff, Plymouth, and East Weymouth.

After first vows, Sister Florita taught in the Pittsburgh Diocese in Beaver Falls, Etna, and Sharpsburg. She was then missioned to New England to teach at Sacred Heart School in Kingston. Within a few more years, she was asked by the Community to assist with training postulants and to become vocation director for the new province. Sister Florita also served on the provincial council of the New England Province. In 1980, envisioning new ways of relationship within the Community, Sister Florita initiated the Associate program and was its director for the first 12 years.

Taught very early by her grandmother to sew, at age 10, Teresa began making her own clothes and some for her brothers as well. She quickly learned to make the Sisters’ habits and veils, and in her first years of teaching, spent every weekend at the motherhouse working on clothing for the postulants and novices. In Kingston, too, she taught all the newest members to sew, while also making uniforms for Sacred Heart students and Mishannock campers. Sewing gave her great pleasure, even to these last years, when she stitched dining room curtains for the Community and her flax seed wraps, which she sold at parish fairs.

Creator and director of CHRISM, many lay men and women were prepared for responsible roles in the Church through this training program of the Archdiocese of Boston. Sister Florita ministered in the South Region of the diocese in collaboration with Bishop Daniel Hart and Bishop John McCormack. She was elected director of the national USA East of the Faith and Light communities, an organization serving people with disabilities, and was part of the group that established the National Association of Lay Ministers (NALM). From 1999 until 2011, Sister Florita had the great joy of being resident pastoral minister at St. Helen’s Parish in Amory, Miss., where she developed a strong community and called forth the laity of that parish to lead its programs and its outreach to the poor. In the last few years, Sister Florita shared her presence with those with whom she lived and as a volunteer at St. Kateri Parish in West Plymouth.

Throughout her life, Sister Florita spoke often of God’s Providence. She wrote recently, “I trust in God’s Providence for our quick and peaceful entrance into the Kingdom.” We rejoice with her that she is with God!

Birthday: October 29
SMFF

Read Sister Florita Rodman's profile from the Meet Us section of our site, posted before her death.
If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Florita visit our donation page.

Attachment	Size
Death Letter	217.43 KB

Sister Anita Green

Funeral arrangements for †Sister Anita Green are as follows:

Viewing in the Community Room at Providence Heights on Friday, November 28 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

Wake Service in the Community Room on Friday, November 28 at 7 p.m.

Mass of Resurrection on Saturday, November 29 at 11 a.m. in the Mother of Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights.

Read Sister Anita Green's profile from the Meet Us section of our site, posted before her death.

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Anita visit our donation page.

Attachment	Size
Death Letter	118.84 KB

Sister Dolores Elizabeth Werling

†Sister Dolores Elizabeth Werling departed this life on Saturday, December 13, 2014. May she rest in peace.

Funeral arrangements for †Sister Dolores Elizabeth Werling are as follows:

Viewing in the Community Room at Providence Heights on Monday, December 15 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m and Tuesday, December 16 from noon - 3:30 p.m.

Wake Service in the Community Room on Monday, December 15 at 7 p.m.

Mass of Resurrection on Tuesday, December 16 at 3:30 p.m. in the Mother of Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights.

Read Sister Dolores Elizabeth Werling's profile from the Meet Us section of our site, posted before her death.

To make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Dolores Elizabeth, visit our donation page.

Attachment	Size
Eulogy Letter	105.77 KB

In Memory 2014