In Memorium
Sister M. David Markuz
July 13, 1941 – January 1, 2023
Sr. David was born on July 13, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Joseph and Theresa (Jurman) Markuz. She was the middle child in a family of two boys and three girls. The family belonged to St. Paul Croatian Parish where she was baptized on August 10, 1941 and received the name Joanna Caroline. She attended Hodge Public School from 1947-1949 and then St. Paul Grade School. During her years attending St. Paul, she received her First Holy Communion on May 6, 1951, and made her Confirmation on March 11, 1953.
After graduating from St. Paul Grade School in 1957, Joan, as she was called, expressed a desire to join the School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King. She entered the aspirancy in September 1957 and the postulancy in February 1960.
While attending Mt. Assisi Academy from 1958-1960, Joan realized that she would be more successful, useful, and content as a cook rather than a teacher and requested not to complete her high school education. That permission was granted.
On August 15, 1961, Joan entered the Novitiate and was given the name Sr. David. She made her first vows on August 16, 1962, and her final vows on August 16, 1967.
Sr. David was assigned in 1964 to help Sr. Veronica prepare meals in the Mt. Assisi Academy cafeteria for faculty and students. She continued in that ministry until January 1965 when she was assigned as cook at St. Joseph Convent in Gary, Indiana. She continued cooking for the Sisters at St. Joseph Convent until 1967.
Sr. David’s long and devoted kitchen ministry at Mt. Assisi Convent began in 1967 and continued until 2013. During those years she provided three meals a day, canned many fruits and vegetables that she harvested from our garden and orchards, baked innumerable loaves of bread and buns, made countless trips to the Fulton Street Market in Chicago and Pticek’s Bakery, learned how to prepare Slovenian and Croatian foods from Sr. Veronica and Sr. Rafaela, and was always ready to greet the Sisters and share a treat when they returned home from school.
Sr. David’s busy kitchen provided food for a community of 40 and more people early in her ministry as well as for retreats and community days and celebrations and funerals, but she still found time to spend outdoors which she thoroughly enjoyed. She helped Sr. Otilia and Sr. Salvatora with the farm when we still had chickens, pigs, and cows. She learned how to care for the trees in our orchards and picked many bushels of apples, pears, and other fruits. Besides the orchards, we had a large garden that Sr. David worked in along with Sr. Dominic and Sr. Veronica. She cut grass, pulled weeds, lugged hoses, harvested wonderful produce, and beamed at the thought of being out in nature enjoying the sun and fresh air.
Although Sr. David was always faithful to prayer, as her health declined she spent more time in prayer although she still helped in the convent kitchen. From 2007-2010 she also ministered as the assistant superior at Mt. Assisi Convent.
By 2013, Sr. David’s difficulty standing all day necessitated a change in her ministry. She continued to live at Mt. Assisi Convent, but her ministry was now prayer and phone and doorbell duty with very limited time in food service.
On September 12, 2015, Sr. David moved to St. Joseph Convent, where she could get some help with activities of daily living as well as a monitoring of her medications.
Sr. David kept herself busy and active often playing Scrabble or Rummikube or working jigsaw puzzles in the activity room. With her outgoing personality and interest in many things, Sr. David encouraged other Sisters to play games, work puzzles, go for afternoon coffee, watch videos, walk for exercise, and enjoy fresh air sitting outside and visiting on warm sunny days. Sr. David and Sr. Veronica, with whom she spent many years working in the Academy and convent kitchens, were able to spend these years in relaxation and reminiscence together. As Sr. Veronica’s eyesight began to fail, Sr. David would read to her each afternoon. Sr. David also spent time in prayer both in her room and in the chapel. Her thoughtfulness and love for all her Sisters was apparent in her remembering each Sister with a feast day and birthday card and often a little gift. Throughout her life, Sr. David’s generosity and patience were well known whether it was a delicious baked treat, a small (or big) gift, or her time. She had a special love for her family and especially loved to talk about her two nephews.
Each year Sr. David’s health became a little more precarious. She needed a walker and oftentimes a wheelchair to travel the long hall to the chapel. She struggled with unstable diabetes, difficulty breathing, and arthritis. By 2021 Sr. David needed oxygen full time and as always, she adjusted and continued to live and enjoy life. She could no longer go home to Ohio for vacation, but she looked forward to her sister Rosie and husband Phil’s visits a few times a year.
By 2022 she began to have more difficulty with congestive heart failure and had several trips to the hospital. On Christmas day 2022, Sr. David went to the hospital for the last time. She had cellulitis but also her congestive heart failure added to the distress she experienced. It was decided that she would go on hospice comfort care, and she returned to St. Joseph Convent on January 1, 2023. That afternoon she ate, opened her mail, talked with the Sisters, and offered a big smile because she said, “I’m home.”
That evening she began to gasp in her struggle to breathe. Then suddenly, Sr. David stopped gasping and quietly went home to the Lord.
Her heart was so big and filled with love and joy and passion for what she did each day that in the end hers was a heart well used and weakened, perhaps from overuse. Now she rests near the Sacred Heart of Jesus whom she loved and served above all.
Sr. David, thank you for giving your all to the community and to each of us. May you rest in the love of God and his Sacred Heart forever.
Sr. M. Celeste Stazinski
December 4, 1936 – November 26, 2022
Mary Christine Stazinski, one of six children, was born to Rudolph and Rose (Pavletich) Stazinski on December 4, 1936, in Gary, Indiana. She was baptized on January 9, 1937, at Holy Trinity Church in Gary.
Mary began her grade school education at St. Mark School for her first two years when she transferred to St. Joseph School, a block from their home. While at St. Joseph, she received her First Holy Communion on May 20, 1945, and her Confirmation on September 30, 1945.
The School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King were her teachers, and already by fourth grade she had a desire to join their religious community. Mary and her family loved all the Sisters but had a special fondness for Sr. Sibylla. It was this Sister’s kind, quiet, and gentle manner that had a profound influence on her desire to enter religious life. Mary often helped the Sisters after school and ran small errands for them, usually on Saturdays.
When she entered fifth grade, she began taking piano lessons from Sr. Siena. Sister Siena also taught her to play the organ. Because of this early, training, Sr. Celeste was later able to serve as organist at many of the churches where she was assigned to teach. She also gave private piano lessons to many young students.
After graduating from St. Joseph Grade School in 1950, Mary Christine joined the aspirancy of the School Sisters that September. She attended St. Francis Academy in Joliet for one year and when Mt. Assisi Academy opened in the convent building, she finished there, receiving her diploma on June 7, 1953.
In August 1953 she was received into the Novitiate and given the name Sr. Celeste. In August 1954 she professed her first vows and began her ministry at St. Mary Nativity in Joliet where she taught third grade and the following year fifth grade.
Her next assignment was at St. George Convent in South Chicago from 1957 to 1963. She taught intermediate and upper grades for six years. She also began her long ministry as an organist there. It was during that time that she professed her final vows on August 16, 1958.
In 1963 she was transferred to Sheboygan, Wisconsin where she taught intermediate and upper grades and ministered as organist. During the next decade she taught at several different schools: St. Joseph in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; St. Christine in Euclid, Ohio; St. Mary Nativity in Joliet; and St. George in South Chicago.
Like many Sisters at that time, Sr. Celeste completed her college education while teaching full time. She received her B.A. in Education from DePaul University in 1973. After recovering from surgery for four ruptured discs in 1975, she spent four months as house mother to 14 children, ages 7-14 at St. John Children’s Home in Kansas City, Kansas.
In 1976, she was assigned to Mt. Assisi Academy where she taught freshmen and sophomore English and religion for the next 14 years. She served as organist at Mt. Assisi Convent and for the Mt. Assisi Liturgy Group. Sister also taught CCD at St. James at the Sag Parish.
In 1990 when Our Lady of the Angels House of Prayer opened, Sr. Celeste was named the first Superior and ministered there until 1995. Along with the ministry of prayer, she taught CCD, was organist at the convent, tutored, and helped at St. Joseph Infirmary.
From 1995-1996 she taught at St. Stephen School in Chicago and continued as the convent organist at Mt. Assisi each weekend.
In 1996 she once again returned to Mt. Assisi Convent where she was the organist, helped at St. Joseph Infirmary and taught CCD at St Anne Parish in Crest Hill and St. Alphonsus Parish in Lemont. From 1998 – 2004 she was assigned as Mt. Assisi Convent House Superior. She then spent one year at Alvernia Manor with many jobs from Provincial Secretary to organist to Alvernia Manor staff member. The following year she again returned to Mt. Assisi Convent where she served as Provincial Secretary and organist.
When the new Provincial Administration began, Sr. Celeste continued to work as the assistant Provincial Secretary as well as organist. With yet another new administration six years later, she continued to assist in the secretary’s office.
As some of the problems of aging began affecting Sr. Celeste, she started using a walker, but continued to serve in many ways at Mt. Assisi Convent. Although prayer became her most important ministry, she spent hours each week answering the phone and door. She also helped with the daily house duties, and she carried on a vigorous ministry of care through writing cards, letters, and phone calls.
Throughout her life. Sr. Celeste had a very calm, even–tempered personality, an unexpected sense of humor, a concern for all, and most of all a devotion to and love of prayer.
In August 2022, after a fall and some difficulty walking and using her hand, Sister was admitted to the hospital for tests. The diagnosis was lymphoma, with some tumors in her brain. She did not want surgery or treatments and asked to move to St. Joseph Convent Infirmary where she could get the care she needed. Her condition quickly progressed, and soon she became bedridden, and on November 26, Sister Celeste quietly slipped into the arms of God.
Sr. Celeste had written that as her memory began to weaken, she could not recall many events of the past. However, she said, “I will never forget a particular moment.”
“Following a family visit, my mother was the last to leave. When we were alone, she said something that took me by surprise. “Mary,” she said, “if you ever want to come back home, the door will always be open.”
“Oh, mom,” I said, “This is my life! This is what I always wanted.”
It was only later that I realized that she must have thought that I felt compelled to remain in the convent because of a promise she had made when I was a baby. At 14 months old I had pneumonia…and was not expected to live. When I was old enough to hear the story, my mother said that she had promised Our Lady of Perpetual Help that if I would live, she would nurture a religious vocation. She certainly kept that promise, and I’ve been extremely grateful ever since.”
Like her mother, Sister Celeste has kept her promise to be faithful, prayerful, and dedicated to the spread of the Gospel in community, in ministry and among her cherished family members.
Sister Thomasine Novakovich
January 5, 1927 – June 22, 2022
Sr. Thomasine, the fourth of six children, was born on January 5, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois to Matthew and Mary (Makar) Novakovich. She was given the name Mary Julia when she was baptized at Sacred Heart Church in Chicago on January 16, 1927. Mary Julia attended kindergarten at Glistel, early grade school years at St. Francs de Sales, and the last four years at Sacred Heart Grade School from which she graduated on June 9, 1940. While at the St. Francis de Sales parish school, Mary Julia received her First Communion on April 8, 1934, and her Confirmation on May 26, 1935. She attended Bowen High School for four years graduating on June 21, 1944.
Mary Julia’s desire to be a Sister is described in her own words on her entry questionnaire: “My desire to be a nun came about when but a child. In fact, the first time I had seen a nun, I decided to be one. I decided I would enter when I completed high school.”
Less than three months after high school graduation, her desire was fulfilled when on September 3, 1944, she entered the aspirancy of the School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King. On February 15, 1945, she became a postulant, and on August 15, 1945, she entered the Novitiate and received the name Sr. Thomasine.
After Novitiate, she professed her first vows on August 16, 1946. Her final profession was made on August 16, 1949. It was especially memorable because Reverend Mother Teresa Hanzelich from Rome was present.
Sr. Thomasine’s higher education began when she came to the aspirancy and attended the College of St. Francis in Joliet for one year prior to Novitiate. Following Novitiate from 1946-1947 she had an additional year of college before she was given her first teaching assignment at St. Christine School in Euclid, Ohio. She remained in Euclid where she taught middle grades (3,4,5) and CCD and took care of the sacristy until 1954. During her years in Euclid, Sr. Thomasine completed her college degree and graduating with a B.S. in Education from St. John College in Cleveland, on June 12, 1954.
From 1955-56 Sr. Thomasine taught 6th and 7th grade at St. George School in Chicago and worked toward her master’s degree at Loyola University. In 1956, she was transferred to St. Mary Nativity where she taught 8th grade and continued her education at Loyola.
In 1957 she began teaching religion, social studies, and English at Mt. Assisi Academy in Lemont, IL. Over the next eight years at Mt. Assisi, at various times, she was Debate Moderator, Student Council Moderator, Yearbook Advisor, Play Director, and Parents’ Club Moderator. She also attended Loyola University as a history major and received her M.A. on February 3, 1960.
In 1965 Sr. Thomasine once again went back to Ohio, first to St. Paul School in Cleveland where she taught 7th and 8th grade and religious education and then back to St. Christine in Euclid. This time she returned as the principal as well as 8th grade teacher and house superior. While there, she received her administration certification from John Carroll University in Shaker Heights.
From 1973 to 1980 she was assigned to Sacred Heart in Chicago where she was the principal and superior. In addition, at various times she taught 8th grade, was administrator of the CCD program, took care of the library, the choir, Student Council, and the altar boys.
Her next assignment was at St. Stephen in Chicago where she served from 1980 to 1987. Once again, she ministered as principal and superior; specific jobs included altar boys and teaching computer classes. In 1987 she was elected to the Provincial Council.
That same year, Sr. Thomasine move and she resided at our convent at St. Mary Nativity Parish in Joliet while she ministered as Principal and DRE at the neighboring St. Joseph School. She continued her responsibilities as a member of the Provincial Council, and she served on the Advisory Board for Religious in the Diocese of Joliet.
From 1991-1992 she was the principal and superior at St. Dominic in Bolingbrook, Illinois; she then returned to Mt. Assisi Academy in Lemont to take on the responsibly of being the principal until 1997 when she become the comptroller at Alvernia Manor.
In 1998 she once again went to Sacred Heart where she ministered as principal and superior for the next ten years. She describes her ministry during those years as “doing all that needs to be done for upkeep of the convent and the school.”
Moving to Marian Hall in 2008, Sr. Thomasine “retired.” Her retirement included doing accounts, driving, working on the province chronicles, keeping the house chronicles, serving as Assistant House Superior, and praying for the many needs of the Church and the world.
By 2014, having some health issues, Sr. Thomasine moved to St. Joseph Convent. She continued to help in many ways. She completed the accounts for Sacred Heart School and helped with the SS. Peter and Paul house accounts. She also kept the house chronicle. Sister also continued her ministry of prayer for justice, and peace, for the USA, for health of the Sisters, and for vocations.
Sr. Thomasine helped in any way she could, but over the next years her health continued to deteriorate. Her mind was sharp, and she was always happy to have visitors. In spite of her hearing difficulties, she enjoyed visiting and discussing the news or world events that she kept up with on TV or her computer. By 2020, she suffered several bouts of congestive heart failure and needed to have lung fluids drained every other day. Sister endured the treatments patiently. Over the next year her health was relatively stable, though she did become weaker and bedridden. By the spring of 2022, she had been in and out of the hospital several times. Each time it weakened her more. When she went to the hospital for the last time on June 14, 2022, her condition seemed to be grave. Yet, she returned to St. Joseph Convent on June17, this time under hospice care.
Her faithful nieces Kathy and Tommy came to be with her and stayed overnight in Alvernia Manor building. Their presence was one example of how the family always rallied around Sr. Thomasine and care for her in every possible way. She prayed for their needs daily and often spoke of family events with pride and love.
Sister died peacefully with her nieces and Sisters at her bedside in the early morning of June 22, 2022. Hers was a life filled with much activity and service to others as well as times of failing health and confinement. We are grateful for her presence and goodness. Sr. Thomasine, may you rest now, filled with the gifts of peace and joy, and be embraced by the God who has loved you in this life and will receive you for all eternity.
Sr. M. Veronica Kovas
May 28, 1924 – December 19, 2020
Sr. Veronica was born on May 28, 1924, in Michigan City, Indiana to John and Rose (Krampach) Kovas and was one of seven children. She was baptized Theresa Ann on June 15, 1924, at St. Patrick Church in Chesterton, Indiana, made her First Communion at the original Mt. Assisi Convent on May 25, 1933, and was confirmed at St. Stephen Church in Chicago on October 27, 1936.
As a small child, Theresa Ann always wanted to be a Sister. She said that the desire was always there. Although her mother was deceased before she entered the convent, her father was happy that his daughter chose to become a Sister, and her brothers and sister were also very happy for her.
She became a candidate on February 4, 1941, a postulant on February 15, and entered the novitiate on August 15, 1941, receiving the name Sr. Veronica. She professed her first vows on August 16, 1942, and her final vows on August 16, 1945.
Sr. Veronica had grown up on her parents’ farm, and as a young Sister, she continued to enjoy farm work: milking the cows, taking them to pasture, feeding the pigs, driving the tractor, planting and harvesting, helping in the orchard, and doing farm-related chores. She especially enjoyed driving a team of horses when she plowed the fields. During the fall, she would hitch a hay wagon to the tractor so that young Sisters and those not-so-young, could enjoy an old-fashioned hayride, and indeed they did!
Besides her farm work, Sr. Veronica, was the convent laundress, operated the huge, industrial-sized washing machine, the extractor, and the dryer, all of which were probably typical of the types used in hospitals at that time.
Starting in 1955, Sr. Veronica spent 23 years as cafeteria planner and cook at Mount Assisi Academy. Faculty, staff, and students looked forward to the delicious foods she prepared and served. From 1979-1981, she moved to and cooked at Alvernia Manor. In 1982 she moved back to Mt. Assisi Convent and once again became the cook and kitchen manager at Mt. Assisi Academy until 2001. During some summers, she substituted for our Sister-cooks at St. John’s orphanage in Kansas so they could have time away from their work.
In addition to cooking, Sr. Veronica always enjoyed baking cookies, cakes, homemade bread, apple strudel, and potica. In 1957, she took a special class in cake-decorating and became quite an expert. She was well known for her many-tiered, beautifully decorated, “Jubilee cakes!” Everyone admired her special talent. She was certainly a pro!
In 2011, Sr. Veronica was awarded the Spirit of Mount Assisi Award for her many years of dedication and efforts in ministry at the Academy. Students remember well her cookies and other surprises and treats.
That same year, she celebrated her 70th Jubilee as a member of our Franciscan Congregation. Each year, a brief bio, (only a few lines at most) about each Jubilarian, is sent in for publication in our Archdiocesan newspaper, the Catholic New World. The few lines in Sr. Veronica’s bio caught the attention of the staff writer in charge. Seeing what an interesting and fascinating life this Sister had in her 70 years as a religious, she called her up, wanting to know more details. This unexpected phone interview with Sr. Veronica, led the writer to do a special feature story which was published in the New World’s Jubilee issue that year.
Sister Veronica worked hard, yet she found time to enjoy reading, crocheting, creating hook latch projects, and doing picture puzzles with other Sisters. In her younger days, she played baseball and badminton. Later she enjoyed watching major league games, especially the Cubs.
In 2012, Sr. Veronica moved to St. Joseph Convent with other Sisters who needed some care in their daily living. She enjoyed a walk each day with Sr. David as well as an afternoon coffee break. Her days were spent in prayer, in community, in relaxation, in living life to the fullest and visiting with loved ones whenever she could.
When asked about the kind of advice she would give to someone discerning their future vocation, she said: “I would advise them to pray and ask the Blessed Mother to help them know what to do in their future. They should also seek spiritual advice or guidance from a priest or talk to a counselor about this matter.”
On August 20, 2018, Sr. Veronica fell and was taken to Silver Cross Hospital. X-rays showed that she had a break in each leg and needed surgery to reset the bones. On August 22, she had surgery to repair both breaks and was transferred to Mother Teresa Home on Monday, August 27 to begin therapy and later to Holy Family Villa for more intense therapy. She had six months of rehab before she returned to St. Joseph Convent on February 27. She slowly once again began to adjust to the St. Joseph schedule. Her good friend, Sr. David, read to her many times a week since Sr. Veronica’s eyes had gotten weaker over the years. The two of them enjoyed each other’s company.
In October 2020, she spent several days in Palos Hospital due to congestive heart failure. On November 26, she was again taken to Palos Hospital where the diagnosis was once again congestive heart failure. She returned to St. Joseph Convent on December 4, but on December 9, was once again taken to the ER.
On Sunday, December 13, she returned to St. Joseph Convent under hospice care, as well as good care from the St. Joseph staff. During that week, Sister lost strength and began in earnest her journey home, passing peacefully into the arms of the Lord and His Blessed Mother on Saturday, December 19, 2020.
Her quiet strength and deep faith were her greatest gifts as she faithfully served students, children and the other Sisters for 79 years as a religious Sister. May she now rest from her labors and continue to pray for all of us who love her.
Sr. M. Alexine Brdas
April 30, 1929 – April 16, 2019
Sr. Alexine Brdas was born on April 30, 1929 to Joseph and Alexine (Poirier) Brdas. She was the oldest of three children; her brother Ronald is deceased, and her sister Lois survives her. She was baptized Jeanne Therese on May 12, 1929 at St. Bride Church in Chicago. She made her First Holy Communion on June 5, 1938, and on May 10, the following year, she was confirmed, both at St. Patrick Church in Chicago.
Her grade school years were spent in several schools: Marsh in Chicago; Cherry Street School in Canton, Ohio; St. Patrick in Chicago, Taylor School in Chicago, and Marsh again from which she graduated in 1943.
She attended SS. Peter and Paul High School in Chicago from 1943-1947. During her high school years from 1946-47 she worked at Woolworth Dime Store as a sales clerk and in the summer of 1947 she was a cashier at Jane Lee Dress Shop.
For many years she had desired to enter the convent and on August 30, 1947 she entered as a candidate; on February 15, 1948, was admitted to postulancy; and on August 15, 1948, entered the novitiate and received the name Sr. Alexine. She made her first vows on August 16, 1949; and final profession on August 16, 1952.
Sr. Alexine began her long and varied ministry in 1949 teaching third grade at St. Stephen in Chicago until 1952 when she moved to St. Nicholas in Pittsburgh for one year. In 1953 she was transferred to St. Mary Nativity in Joliet. In 1955 she moved to St. Christine in Euclid, Ohio where she ministered for five years.
In 1960 she was assigned to teach English, algebra, and religion at Mt. Assisi Academy where she remained until 1982. During those years she also taught Spanish and art. She was involved in many activities at the Academy including moderator of the Parents’ Association, chairman of the language department, moderator of the chess club, and co-moderator of the school play.
During this time Sr. Alexine earned a B.A. in education from the College of St. Francis and an M.A. in Education from De Paul University.
In 1982 Sr. Alexine went to St. George School where she served at principal, CCD coordinator and teacher. In 1987 she moved to St. Mary Nativity in Joliet once again as principal and also as a teacher in the CCD program.
Sr. Alexine became the house superior and the principal of St. Dominic School in Bolingbrook in 1992, where she also taught and was a cantor and lector at parish liturgies. In 1997 she moved to Mt. Assisi Convent but continued as principal at St. Dominic. From 1998-99 Sr. Alexine did ministry at Mt. Assisi Convent: in bookkeeping, driving, and as assistant house superior.
From 1999-2005 Sr. Alexine was the administrator and superior at St. Joseph Infirmary with her main ministry being the care of our infirm sisters.
In 2005 she was again assigned to St. Mary Nativity where she worked as assistant principal and director of public relations.
Sr. Alexine returned to Mt. Assisi Convent in 2006. She served in many ways from House Vicaress to driver to phone receptionist. She also used her talent for crocheting, making many items for the poor.
After several surgeries and in need of more help in activities of daily living, Sr. Alexine moved to St. Joseph Infirmary in 2014. With prayer as her main ministry, she also spent hours crocheting scarves for the poor, always with yarn donated to the convent or infirmary. A positive and social person by nature, she enjoyed spending afternoon recreations with other retired Sisters, often playing Scrabble or Bingo, and watching Wheel of Fortune in the evenings.
By the fall of 2018 Sr. Alexine began to lose interest in activities and spent more time alone in her room. However, Sr. David could coax her to come and play Scrabble or Rumikube many afternoons when she was feeling good. Over her lifetime, Sr. Alexine endured many hospital visits and surgeries, but she was a good healer and was soon back to activities.
In early April 2019, Sr. Alexine was once again in the hospital, this time for congestive heart failure. She returned to St. Joseph Convent after spending several days in Silver Cross Hospital. Sister did not regain her usual strength and humor after this hospital stay and early on the morning of April 16, she quietly went home to the arms of the Lord she had so generously served all her life.
Sister Alexine, we will miss you and your wonderful spirit. May your 90th birthday celebration in heaven be your greatest joy.
Sr. M. Stanislaus Wulkowicz
February 28. 1927 – August 9, 2018
Sr. Stanislaus Wulkowicz was always very proud of her Polish roots. Her parents, John and Josephine (Niemiec) Wulkowicz, both born in Poland, immigrated to the United States with their families, met in Chicago, married and raised their family of six children. Evelyn, later to be Sr. Stanislaus, was the youngest, born on February 28, 1927 in Chicago. On March 1, 1927 she was baptized in St. Casimir Church in Chicago.
Evelyn attended Hammond Public School until third grade when she transferred to St. Roman School. It was at St. Roman Parish that she made her First Holy Communion on May 30, 1935. The following year, she made her Confirmation on October 22, also at St. Roman Parish.
Upon graduation from St. Roman in January 1941, she attended a semester at Harrison High School. In the fall, she transferred to Lourdes High School from which she graduated in June 1945.
After high school she was employed in the laboratory of Johanna Western. She attended DePaul University evening classes during that time. She was then hired by Sinclair Refining Company. In March of 1949, on Passion Sunday, Evelyn was led to her first contact with the Poor Clares. In June she submitted her resignation at Sinclair and entered the Poor Clare Community on September 12, 1949.
Her life as a Poor Clare began on Laflin Street in Chicago. She entered the Novitiate on September 16, 1950. During Novitiate, along with prayer, she was mainly involved with sewing, gardening and laundry. Her first vows were professed in 1951 and her Solemn Profession was in 1954. She continued to work as a seamstress, a helper in the main laundry operation, as an assistant cook, assistant secretary and assistant to the bursar.
When the monastery on Laflin Street no longer served the needs of the Poor Clare Sisters, a new monastery was built in Hickory Hills, Illinois. Sr. Stanislaus was involved in the move and making the new monastery a place of prayer and joyful work.
In 1960 she was assigned as assistant portress and manager of the silk screening department. In the summers of 1966 to 1968, she attended St. Bonaventure University auditing in Sacred Sciences. She also served as the community’s first portress.
Over the years Sr. Stanislaus continued to carry out many responsibilities in the Poor Clare Community. From 1969-1971, she was coordinator; from 1974-1985, she was Vicaress; from 1985 to the closing of the monastery, she served as sacristan, bursar, and she also helped with maintenance, gardening and silk screening.
When the monastery was closed in 1990 due to a dwindling population of sisters and financial problems, each Poor Clare Sister was directed to choose where she would like to continue serving in religious life. Sr. Stanislaus who wished to stay faithful to her Franciscan charism, her desire for community, prayer, and service, applied for entrance into the School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King.
Although parting from the Sisters she lived with for so many years was painful, Sr. Stanislaus felt she was making the right decision in choosing our community, and she immediately felt at home and grateful for the community’s acceptance. At the time she wrote in a letter to Mother Bernardka, “My gratitude for your loving response in embracing me at this moment of my life cannot be expressed in words. I ask our Lord to supply for my inadequacy as only He can.”
As Sr. Stanislaus became more at home in our community, she accepted various ministries. From 1990-1997, she ministered at Mt. Assisi Convent taking care of the dining room, answering the phone, tending flower beds, silk screening and spending time in prayer.
In 1997 she was assigned to St. Joseph Infirmary where she ministered in prayer, in presence to the sick Sisters, and in many quiet ways.
Sr. Stanislaus was transferred to Alvernia Manor in 1999 where she remained until 2004. Although always in ministry of prayer, she was also support staff in any way needed.
In 2004 Sr. Stanislaus moved to Marian Hall. Once again prayer was her most important ministry. Sister also helped in many ways: answering the phone, washing dishes, helping prepare breakfast, ordering kitchen food supplies, recycling, laundering towels, feeding birds, taking care of the linen closet and many unseen duties as needed.
In 2014 Sr. Stanislaus, still active and basically healthy but feeling the effects of age, moved to St. Joseph Infirmary, where she continued her ministry of prayer, presence, and helping wherever needed.
Although active and committed to walking and exercise, Sr. Stanislaus had her first encounter with a serious health issue in 2017. Cancer was discovered in her neck which involved surgery and after-surgery treatments. She went faithfully six days a week for radiation and some chemo once a week. However, the treatments took a toll on her body and she chose to discontinue them after the fourth week.
Slowly her condition worsened, and by the spring of 2018, she began to let go of jobs and responsibilities and chose to spend more time alone in her room. By July it was apparent, that her suffering increased and she would need more care. On July 17, she agreed to hospice care and on July 19, she moved to the second floor where hospice staff and the nursing staff, under the guidance of Dr. Krestina, gave Sister Stanislaus loving and professional care.
In early August it was apparent that Sr. Stanislaus was getting weaker and spent more time in bed, each day getting a little less responsive to visitors. On August 9, in the morning, Sisters spent time praying at her bedside and about 12:31 p.m. she breathed her last and went to meet her spouse…ready to celebrate the feast of St. Clare in heaven this year.
Thank you, Sr. Stanislaus, for showing us how to grow old gracefully, how to embrace life fully, and how to accept God’s will peacefully. May you now live in His love eternally.
Sr. Catherine Jaksa
December 17, 1933 – April 13, 2018
Sr. Catherine was born in Kansas City, Kansas on December 17, 1933, one of seven children in the family of Matthew and Katherine (Jurcic) Jaksa. On December 31, 1933, she was baptized at St. John the Baptist Church and received the name Loretta. She attended the parish school and was taught by the School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King. It was at St. John the Baptist Church that she made her First Communion on May 4, 1941 and her confirmation on May 11, 1941. Loretta graduated from St. John in 1947 and attended Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City from which she graduated in 1951.
On September 1, 1951 she entered the candidacy of the School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King in Lemont, and on February 15, 1952 she became a postulant. Loretta was received into the novitiate on August 15, 1952, and was given the name Sr. Catherine. She made her first vows on August 16, 1953 and professed her final vows on August 16, 1956.
Like all Sisters at that time, Sister Catherine attended college taking one or two courses at a time while engaged in full-time teaching. She completed her degree and graduated from St. John College in Cleveland, Ohio with a B.S. in Education in 1967.
Sr. Catherine had begun her teaching ministry after completing novitiate in 1953; she was assigned to St. George School in Chicago to teach third and fourth grade and do sacristy work. In 1955 she was transferred to St. Christine School in Euclid, Ohio where she taught third and then second grade and also did sacristy work. From 1963-1964 Sr. Catherine taught third and fourth grade at Sacred Heart School in Barberton, Ohio. She returned to St. Christine School from 1964-1967 to teach first grade. Sr. Catherine next moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin where she taught first grade at SS. Cyril and Methodius School from 1967-1969.
In the following years she taught in parish schools, in the CCD programs and often did sacristy as well at St. Peter in Itasca, Illinois; St. Mary Nativity in Joliet, Illinois; St. Dominic in Bolingbrook, Illinois; Sacred Heart in Etiwanda, California; St. John the Baptist in Kansas City; Holy Family in Kansas City, and then in 1991 she moved to St. Mary Nativity in Joliet again and ministered there until 2004 teaching both in the school and in the religious education program.
Sr. Catherine’s favorite ministry was preparing children for First Holy Communion: teaching them about the Eucharist; teaching them their common prayers, training them to march in procession in an organized and respectful manner, and helping them to be reverent in church. In her classroom, focusing on all the children and seeing all of them learn was her goal. She was faithful to working with individual groups while keeping the discipline of the rest of the class doing individual work.
Sisters who lived with Sr. Catherine remember her as kind, encouraging and prayerful. She was helpful to the young Sisters as they began their ministries in the classroom and faced challenges in the kitchen. Because her sisters, Rosalie and Mary, often supplied her with abundant bulletin board and classroom items, she regularly shared those and was always willing to help decorate the young Sisters’ classrooms. Sr. Catherine was also helpful on cooking days guiding the young Sisters as they attempted to provide a good meal.
Sr. Catherine’s sisters saw that many of her needs and wants were met as they sent her many CARE packages over the years. She was very lucky to have them in her life and so were the other Sisters as they especially enjoyed the homemade poticas they sent.
Starting in 1998 with shoulder surgery after a fall, Sr. Catherine experienced a series of health setbacks. In 2005 she underwent surgery for a perforated stomach ulcer, which brought her to St. Joseph Infirmary to recuperate. While there, in 2007 she suffered a stroke which caused her to be partially paralyzed; the same year she needed a pacemaker. Sister did make some progress in her recovery but continued to live at St. Joseph Infirmary.
Throughout her religious life, Sr. Catherine was faithful to prayer, which sustained her through her many health issues. During her years at St. Joseph Convent her main ministry was prayer as well as suffering, but she also made an effort to stay active. Using a motorized chair she was able to travel on her own to pick up mail in the Alvernia Manor lobby, to move around St. Joseph Convent, to go to the chapel, and to maintain some independence. She spent many happy hours working on jigsaw puzzles and she enjoyed sports both on TV and reading the sports pages of the Chicago Tribune each day.
In 2014 Sr. Catherine suffered her first of several bouts of congestive heart failure. In 2016 she was treated for skin cancer. In March 2018 she suffered a bout of congestive heart failure with complications. She spent time in Providence-Marianjoy Rehabilitation Center, went back to Palos Community Hospital where she was diagnosed with an infection and then discharged to Manor Care Rehabilitation in Palos Heights.
As the days went on, Sr. Catherine ate less and less and became weaker and less responsive. On the morning of April 13, she quietly breathed her last and was embraced by her loving God who had sustained her through her years of suffering and now welcomed her into an eternity of peace and joy.
Sister Mary Clement Korenic
October 9, 1927 – March 10, 2017
Sr. Clement, one of nine children, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 9, 1927, and baptized Mildred at St. Nicholas Church there.
She traveled by train to Lemont where she entered the postulancy in 1945 and made her final vows in 1949.
Sister ministered in St. John Orphanage in Kansas City, KS taught at parish schools in Ohio, Pennsylvania; Illinois; Kansas and Wisconsin. She also served as an office assistant at Mt. Assisi Academy.
Sr. Clement cared for the elderly residents at Alvernia Manor and later ministered at Alvernia Manor as the administrator and the superior of the Sisters.
Sr. Clement studied to be a Clinical Pastoral Chaplain earning certification as a Chaplain from the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. She volunteered in pastoral ministry at LaGrange Memorial Hospital and Alexian Brothers.
Sr. Clement struggled with a progressive decline due to Parkinson’s disease and its complications. Yet, with a clear mind and strong determination, she did everything possible to improve her condition and quietly surrendered herself to the Lord on March 10, 2017.
Sister M. Cecilia Adamic
May 7, 1914 – October 3, 2016
Sr. Cecilia was born in Joliet, Illinois, on May 7, 1914. She followed her sister Anne, Sr. Cherubim, to Mt. Assisi Convent in Lemont, where she became a novice in 1930. She professed her final vows in 1935.
She worked with upper grade students and took care of sacristy and altar boys, ministered as principal and house superior in many schools and parishes. Sister was instrumental in the beginning of Mt. Assisi Academy and served as a member of its first faculty.
Sr. Cecilia served as Novice Directress, training many new Sisters who have happy memories of those formation days. She administered St. John’s Children’s Home, and served as the Assistant Administrator and later the Administrator at Alvernia Manor. She also did some tutoring.
Sister helped retired Sisters and made wreaths and centerpieces for the annual Alvernia Manor Christmas bazaar. Many treasure the paintings she had done through the years.
In her retirement, she helped where possible and prayed for the community and the church.
In 2014 Sr. Cecilia turned 100. A party was held. Receiving generous monetary gifts, she requested some be given to the Retired Sisters’ Fund, some to community fund and some be sent for the formation of our Sisters in Africa.
She was a happy, gentle presence at St. Joseph Convent. As she weakened, she found joy in visits from the Sisters and others. In the early morning of October 3, 2016, Sr. Cecilia went home to her Lord.
Sister M. Antonia Golubic
January 26, 1913 – October 23, 2015
Sr. Antonia was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 26, 1913. She was one of seven children. Her family moved to Whiting, Indiana and then to Yugoslavia where she attended school, returning to Whiting in 1922.
Sr. Antonia came to Lemont in 1927, and made her final vows in 1934. Her younger sister joined her in Lemont and became Sr. Theodora.
She taught in parish schools from Milwaukee, to Millvale, Pennsylvania, to Kansas City, KS where she also served as housemother in the orphanage. In addition, at many of the parishes, she also took care of sacristy, training altar boys, and taught religious education.
When Sister retired from active teaching, she continued helping in CCD, subbing in the classroom, and helping in the convent. Sr. Antonia moved to Marian Hall in 1988 where she was helpful, praying for the community and for vocations. Later, at St. Joseph Convent, she wrote: “I am grateful to the community for all the care and concern and happy that I have much time for prayer.”
She celebrated her 100th birthday in January, 2013. After her party, a donation of $1500.00 was made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital through the generosity of those who celebrated with her.
At age 102, Sr. Antonia still read and treated her caregivers and visitors to a smile or unexpected comment. In the evening of October 23, 2015, she peacefully slipped away into her eternal rest.