Mary Stella Wagner, CDP

Sister Mary Stella Wagner, formerly Sister Ann, entered religious life from Holy Rosary parish in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood. Of who most influenced her decision to enter religious life, she said, "I greatly admired and wanted to imitate the Sisters of St. Joseph who educated me; later, the Sisters of Divine Providence with whom I taught school."

Sister Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Duquesne University and a Master of Science from Clarion State College. Her teaching ministry, which began in 1956, spanned almost 27 years. During this time, she taught and was principal in schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, as well as throughout Pennsylvania and Detroit. She was the director of financial aid for the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh (1984-95); specialist in the Office of the Registrar at La Roche University in Allison Park, PA (1997-2001); internal ministry at Providence Heights (2002-06); volunteer caregiver at Providence Day Care South in Castle Shannon, PA (2007-08); and volunteer at Kearns Spirituality Center (2008-2020). She said, "I strive to make God's Providence visible by being unselfish, always a welcoming presence and allowing students to feel safe and cared about. The most rewarding aspect of my religious life has been to watch as others achieve their goals."

When health issues curtailed a more active ministry, Sister Mary sewed for the Sisters, knitted hats for the homeless, created patterns and knitting afghans, continued her outreach to the elderly through letters and cards and, more recently, learning skills to create origami projects.

CLICK HERE to make a gift in honor of Sister Mary's 70th Jubilee.