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SISTERS OF<br />
THE HOLY<br />
FAMILY OF<br />
NAZARETH //<br />
VOL. 15 //<br />
NO 2 //<br />
FALL <strong>2021</strong><br />
Nazareth<br />
CONNECTIONS<br />
FAMILY IS THE HEART OF OUR MISSION<br />
Escapades<br />
in Nazareth<br />
STORY BEGINS ON PAGE 8
MESSAGE FROM THE PROVI<strong>NC</strong>IAL SUPERIOR<br />
Faithful Listening<br />
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRANSFORMATION<br />
Dear Friends of Nazareth,<br />
Faithful listening transforms lives.<br />
It is a value adopted by our Holy<br />
Family Province that calls us to a<br />
loyal, constant posture of attending<br />
to ourselves, others, and God<br />
for the purpose of hearing and<br />
transformation.<br />
We see faithful listening best<br />
exemplified through the lives of the<br />
Holy Family. Mary listens to the angel<br />
Gabriel and responds with her “Fiat,”<br />
becoming Mother of the Savior of the<br />
world; Joseph hears the revelation of<br />
the angel in his dream and leads his<br />
family safely into Egypt; Jesus answers<br />
His mother’s request and performs<br />
His first miracle at the wedding feast<br />
in Cana. What transformation can<br />
happen when we stop to listen!<br />
However, in our busy world, stopping<br />
to listen can be incredibly challenging.<br />
Our lives become overwhelmed<br />
with tasks and obligations that<br />
compete for our time, yet daily we<br />
are presented moments to stop and<br />
listen to ourselves, others, and God.<br />
These new and old voices invite us<br />
to discover more significant growth,<br />
development, and openness in the<br />
mission God sets before us each day.<br />
In this issue, you will find articles<br />
about our new postulant, our<br />
new novices, the sisters who have<br />
celebrated jubilees, and our sisters<br />
who have journeyed on towards our<br />
Savior. It is humbling to think of the<br />
transformations that have happened<br />
because they each listened and<br />
responded. We also recognize our<br />
faithful donors who have continued to<br />
listen to the needs of our community<br />
and generously responded. They have<br />
and continue to transform the lives<br />
of our sisters and the communities<br />
we serve.<br />
During this season of autumn, I pray<br />
God’s guidance upon you to joyfully<br />
receive His invitation to stop and<br />
listen to yourself, to others, and to<br />
Him. May the fruit of what you hear<br />
enrich your lives.<br />
In The Holy Family,<br />
Sister Kathleen Maciej, CSFN<br />
HOW ARE YOU CALLED TO LOVE?<br />
We invite you to pray with us, to listen to God’s call with us and to love with<br />
us as we find God in ordinary experiences. Learn more about our community<br />
life, our ministries, and our mission at nazarethcsfn.org/join-us. Or contact<br />
Sr. Emmanuela Le, CSFN, National Vocation Director, at 972-641-4496 ext. 111<br />
or vocations@nazarethcsfn.org.<br />
2
4<br />
VOLUME 15 //<br />
NO 2 //<br />
FALL <strong>2021</strong><br />
8<br />
Nazareth Connections is published<br />
three times a year by the Sisters<br />
of the Holy Family of Nazareth<br />
in the USA.<br />
Contents<br />
VOCATION<br />
4-5 Welcome Our<br />
New Novices<br />
6-7 Prayers for Our<br />
New Postulants<br />
6<br />
IN MEMORIAM<br />
16 Sr. Florence M. Klaniecki<br />
Sr. M. Josepha (Theresa) Gagliardi<br />
Sr. M. Bernice Andrelczyk<br />
Sr. Mary Aquinas Tolusciak<br />
12<br />
Editor:<br />
Rachel Neubauer<br />
Proofreaders:<br />
Sr. Mary Ellen Gemmell<br />
Sr. Lucille Madura<br />
Amanda Giarratano<br />
Editorial Board:<br />
Sr. Angela Szczawinska<br />
Sr. Barbara Frances Samp<br />
Sr. Carol Szott<br />
Sr. Jude Carroll<br />
Sr. Kathleen Ann Stadler<br />
Sr. Lucille Madura<br />
Sr. Marcelina Mikulska<br />
Sr. Marcella Louise Wallowicz<br />
Sr. Mary Louise Swift<br />
Sr. Teresilla Kolodziejczyk<br />
Katherine Barth<br />
Design/Print:<br />
McDaniels Marketing<br />
REFLECTION<br />
8-11 Escapades<br />
in Nazareth<br />
<strong>2021</strong> JUBILARIANS<br />
12 Sr. Marita Ruppe<br />
Sr. Joanne Mary Goscicki<br />
Sr Mary Joan Jacobs<br />
Sr. Mary Anthony Lovezzola<br />
Sr. M. Marcelina Mikulska<br />
Sr. Marta Gadzinowska<br />
DEVELOPMENT<br />
18 Thank You from Our<br />
Development Office<br />
ON THE COVER:<br />
Mount Nazareth Convent Chapel<br />
decorated by Sister Magdalena<br />
Tkaczyk for Jubilarian Celebration.<br />
Questions, comments, suggestions?<br />
Please contact:<br />
Communications Department<br />
Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth<br />
310 N. River Road,<br />
Des Plaines, IL 60016<br />
847-298-6760, ext. 144<br />
communications@nazarethcsfn.org<br />
nazarethcsfn.org<br />
facebook.com/csfn.usa<br />
twitter.com/csfn_usa<br />
instagram.com/csfn.usa<br />
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL <strong>2021</strong><br />
3
VOCATION<br />
Welcome Our New Novices:<br />
SR. ESPERANZA MARIE DANKS, SR. THERESE MARIE ALLEN,<br />
SR. MOLLY BERNADETTE SPIERING, AND SR. MARY CLARE NGUYEN<br />
“Reflecting on the holy House of<br />
Nazareth, where Jesus, Mary, and Joseph<br />
served the Eternal Father, and united in<br />
thoughts, sentiments, aspirations, and in<br />
fulfilling God’s divine will, I ask the Lord<br />
that you may lead courageous lives of<br />
holy unity, love, and mutual service so<br />
that among you, like in the Holy Family<br />
of Nazareth, love flourishes and God’s<br />
Kingdom grows. I beg our Divine Lord,<br />
that you remain faithful to Him, cultivate<br />
peace, harmony, and love.”<br />
– Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good<br />
Shepherd from Counsels of the Heart.<br />
On August 8 at our Provincialate in<br />
Des Plaines, IL, our postulants Kayla<br />
Danks, Katie Allen, Molly Spiering,<br />
and Binh Nguyen became novices<br />
during the Rite of Initiation into the<br />
Novitiate. As novices, these young<br />
women also received their religious<br />
names. Kayla is now Sr. Esperanza<br />
Marie; Katie is Sr. Therese Marie;<br />
Molly is Sr. Molly Bernadette; and<br />
Binh is Sr. Mary Clare.<br />
During this period of their structured<br />
discernment, the novices will work<br />
with the novice director, Sr. Joanna<br />
Filip, to deepen their knowledge about<br />
the CSFN charism, spirituality, and<br />
history. This two-year period includes<br />
additional time for contemplation,<br />
reflection, and structured retreats.<br />
Sr. Esperanza Marie grew up in<br />
Wichita <strong>Fall</strong>s, TX, as one of seven<br />
children. After attending our<br />
discernment retreats, she found<br />
herself drawn to our charism and<br />
mission. Although she says she was<br />
first attracted to religious life at nine<br />
years old after watching “The Sound<br />
of Music,” she became an affiliate in<br />
2018 and a postulant in 2019.<br />
4
Sr. Therese Marie has been actively<br />
discerning her vocation since 2011.<br />
Originally from Texas, she was drawn<br />
to our Congregation because of<br />
the holiness our sisters find within<br />
ordinary life. With a degree in<br />
English/Spanish education, she<br />
previously served as an English<br />
and Spanish teacher.<br />
Sr. Molly Bernadette was raised on<br />
a farm in Powell, WY, with her 10<br />
siblings. She earned a bachelor’s<br />
degree in theology from Christendom<br />
College in Front Royal, Virginia. She<br />
has been in discernment for her<br />
vocation since October 2018.<br />
Sr. Mary Clare is originally from<br />
Vietnam where some of her<br />
immediate family still lives. She has<br />
been discerning her vocation since<br />
2017. Inspired by our Nazareth family<br />
and the life of our Mother Foundress,<br />
she feels at home among our sisters.<br />
Please pray with us for these young<br />
women as they share in our life of<br />
prayer and community and get to<br />
know our Congregation better.<br />
For more information on discerning a<br />
call to religious life, please contact our<br />
vocation director, Sr. Emmanuela Le, at<br />
vocations@nazarethcsfn.org.<br />
“The soul which aspires to the life of union with<br />
Jesus and accepts its requirement, will not be<br />
harmed by her weakness, interior opposition, or<br />
sinful tendencies, as long as she does not yield to<br />
them, but focuses her attention upon Jesus, heeds<br />
Him, and remains devoted to Him.”<br />
— Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd<br />
(Frances Siedliska), Rome, June 16, 1886<br />
Novice Director — Sr. Joanna Filip,<br />
Sr. Therese Marie, Sr. Molly<br />
Bernadette, Sr. Esperanza Marie,<br />
Sr. Mary Clare, and Provincial<br />
Superior — Sr. Kathleen Maciej.<br />
Upon receiving the Rite of Initiation<br />
into the Novitiate, the CSFN new<br />
novices receive the white veil, a<br />
CSFN crucifix, and the CSFN<br />
Covenant of Love.<br />
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL <strong>2021</strong><br />
5
6<br />
VOCATION
Prayers For Our<br />
New Postulant<br />
WELCOME KATIE<br />
Surrounded by sisters, friends, and<br />
family from across the U.S. watching<br />
in person and on Zoom, Kaitlyn<br />
“Katie” Shelton became a postulant<br />
of the Sisters of the Holy Family of<br />
Nazareth on August 14 at Jesus the<br />
Good Shepherd Convent in Grand<br />
Prairie, TX. Katie was welcomed<br />
by our sisters in a formal ceremony<br />
where she received a medal of the<br />
Holy Family.<br />
any and everyone.” While attending<br />
a discernment retreat in 2018, she<br />
sensed “a deep peace” in her heart,<br />
which she said “rested in Jesus, the<br />
spirit of the sisters, and their loving<br />
hospitality.”<br />
Katie is joined by Rebecca “Becky”<br />
Garcia, who began her postulancy<br />
in 2020. The young women have<br />
entered into a period of structured<br />
“In His infinite mercy, Jesus was always close to my<br />
soul, I exerted myself little to think of Him. He was<br />
drawing me continuously, reminding me of His<br />
presence, leading me by the hand as a mother does<br />
her child.”<br />
—Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd (Frances Siedliska)<br />
Katie considers Texas her home,<br />
but spent the first eight years of<br />
her life living in South Carolina and<br />
Tennessee. She graduated in 2015<br />
from Texas Tech University where<br />
she studied Graphic Design and<br />
Advertising. Following graduation,<br />
Katie worked six years in the creative<br />
world, with the last four operating<br />
as a graphic designer for a fast-paced<br />
creative agency in Fort Worth, TX.<br />
Upon encountering the Sisters of the<br />
Holy Family of Nazareth at a retreat<br />
for youth, Katie recounts, “I felt the<br />
Holy Spirit tug at me the moment<br />
I met Sr. Margo and Sr. Josephine.”<br />
Katie became drawn to the sisters by<br />
their “ability to create family among<br />
discernment guided by Sr. Marietta<br />
Osinska, Director of Postulants.<br />
Please join us in praying for Katie<br />
and Becky as they share in our life<br />
of prayer and community and get to<br />
know our Congregation better.<br />
For more information on discerning a<br />
call to religious life, please contact our<br />
vocation director, Sr. Emmanuela Le,<br />
at vocations@nazarethcsfn.org.<br />
Provincial Superior — Sr. Kathleen<br />
Maciej welcomes new postulant,<br />
Kaitlyn Shelton.<br />
Postulant Kaitlyn Shelton receives<br />
a medal of the Holy Family from Sr.<br />
Kathleen Maciej, Provincial Superior.<br />
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL <strong>2021</strong><br />
7
8<br />
REFLECTION
My Escapades<br />
in Nazareth<br />
1898-1901<br />
By Sr. M. Simplicia of the Cross<br />
Editor’s Note: Sr. Mary Simplicia of<br />
the Cross (Marian Ławecka – died<br />
July 18, 1963) was one of the very few<br />
who had the good fortune of meeting<br />
our Foundress, Blessed Mary of Jesus<br />
the Good Shepherd (Frances Siedliska).<br />
During a visit with her eldest sister, Sr.<br />
Pancratius, who was then a postulant at<br />
the Precious Blood Convent in Pittsburgh,<br />
little Marian first encountered Blessed<br />
Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd who<br />
spoke with her. Marian soon followed her<br />
sister to Nazareth, taking the name Sr. M.<br />
Simplicia of the Cross. Several years later,<br />
their two younger sisters, Sr. Laura and Sr.<br />
Marinelle, joined the community, making<br />
them the first “Nazareth Quartet” in the<br />
history of the Congregation.<br />
Since there was no Polish High School<br />
in Pittsburgh, at the suggestion of<br />
Sister M. Pancratius (my oldest sister)<br />
who was already a professed sister,<br />
I was sent to attend the Holy Family<br />
Academy in Chicago where she was<br />
stationed alongside Rev. Mother M.<br />
Lauretta, Provincial Superior of our<br />
province in America.<br />
The Provincial Councils were usually<br />
held on Saturdays because the<br />
Councilors were the Superiors from<br />
different homes. On these Saturdays,<br />
a big card with the word “Rada”<br />
(Council) was hanging on Mother<br />
Provincial’s door. We were told<br />
before not to pass that corridor going<br />
up because the footsteps resounded<br />
in Mother’s room. Instead, we were to<br />
use the stairs on the other side of<br />
the building.<br />
The following excerpt comes from Sr.<br />
Simplicia’s “My Escapades In Nazareth,”<br />
a compilation of stories written from the<br />
time she was a boarder attending Holy<br />
Family Academy in Chicago. She writes,<br />
“So it was during the time of Mother<br />
Lauretta’s time in the Academy in<br />
Chicago that I had all kinds of adventures,<br />
more than any other of the girls…<br />
I was of a very lively disposition and God<br />
endowed me with a brilliant memory<br />
that made me useful at times; but also<br />
at times prone to mischief as one can<br />
see from the following ‘Escapades.’<br />
Enjoy reading and have a good hearty<br />
laugh, which is so beneficial to health.”<br />
Holy Family Academy, Chicago, IL<br />
Sr. Mary Simplicia of the Cross,<br />
(Marian Ławecka – died July 18, 1963)<br />
continued on next page...<br />
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL <strong>2021</strong><br />
9
It just happened that I was in a hurry,<br />
as usual, running up the forbidden<br />
stairway. To my great embarrassment,<br />
there stood Mother Provincial at<br />
the post on the second floor. Now,<br />
surely I will get the penance for being<br />
disobedient. One could imagine my<br />
relief when Mother said, “How good<br />
that you came here for I have been<br />
waiting quite a while for someone<br />
to go for Mr. Kiolbassa and ask him<br />
kindly to come to the Academy, right<br />
now.” Overjoyed that there was no<br />
penance for such disobedience, truly I<br />
did not hear exactly what Mother was<br />
saying; all I heard was “Kiolbassa” – so<br />
I ran as quickly as I could through the<br />
alleys to Noble Street to our butcher.<br />
The store was full of women buying<br />
meat for Sunday. Knowing that<br />
Mother was in a hurry, I asked Mr.<br />
Pstrong, the butcher, to wait on me<br />
because Mother sent me for sausage.<br />
Surprised, Mr. Pstrong stopped his job,<br />
looked at me searchingly, and asked,<br />
“For whom does Mother want the<br />
sausages? You people don’t eat meat<br />
on Saturdays.” So, I answered, “I know,<br />
but there is a Council today, so I think<br />
those Councilors will eat meat.” Then<br />
he asked, “What kind of sausages<br />
does Mother want?” Naturally, I did<br />
not know what kind, so I answered<br />
hesitantly, “Perhaps the same as usual.”<br />
The butcher said, “Sr. Monica, the<br />
cook, always takes the frankfurters<br />
for Sunday supper.” So, I said, “Then,<br />
please give me the frankfurters.” But<br />
the butcher had one more question<br />
to ask, “How many pounds of these<br />
do you want?” Well, that was the<br />
limit! All these questions and I am in<br />
a hurry, so again I said, “I think the<br />
same as always!” Mr. Pstrong replied,<br />
“Sr. Monica always buys 10 lbs of<br />
these sausages.” I interrupted him<br />
impatiently, “Please hurry and give<br />
me 10 lbs because I am to hurry up<br />
since Mother is waiting.” Mr. Pstrong<br />
weighed the 10 lbs of sausages,<br />
wrapped them up, and called his son<br />
Bruno, a college boy, and said, “Carry<br />
this to the Academy. It is too heavy<br />
for her.” Our interesting dialogue,<br />
gave a good laugh to all who were in<br />
the store.<br />
At the Academy door, I took the<br />
heavy bundle, thanked Bruno, and<br />
ran down to the kitchen. According<br />
to the Rule, no one was allowed to<br />
enter the kitchen, so I threw the<br />
heavy package on the windowsill on<br />
the kitchen door and hollered, “Sr.<br />
Monica! Sausages!” She looked at me<br />
questioningly and asked, “Why meat<br />
today? This is Saturday!” My only<br />
answer was, “I don’t know. Mother<br />
told me to bring it, so here it is!” I<br />
then ran upstairs, again on the same<br />
forbidden stairs, and Mother was<br />
standing at the post as I left her.<br />
“Already?” “Yes, Mother, and in the<br />
kitchen!” Mother looked at me and<br />
said, “What is he doing in the kitchen?”<br />
And I said, “That’s not he, that’s<br />
sausages!” She then asked, “Where<br />
have you been?” So, I answered, “At<br />
the butcher shop!” I was positive<br />
that Mother could not control her<br />
laughter that day, but she tried to be<br />
stern and said, “Go back, but not to<br />
the butcher, to Mister Kiolbassa”—<br />
the rest was again lost on me, for I<br />
quickly answered “Yes, Mother” and<br />
ran downstairs and across the street<br />
to the Chicago Alderman’s office.<br />
Mr. Kiolbassa was sitting at his desk,<br />
spectacles on the tip of his nose,<br />
busy writing, when I dashed in and<br />
hurriedly asked him to come to<br />
the Academy because Rev. Mother<br />
has some business to transact. He<br />
looked at me and told me to sit down<br />
until he finished his writing. Then<br />
I interrupted him, “Oh no! Please!<br />
Come at once because I was to<br />
be here long before, but I went to<br />
the butcher for sausages.” Then he<br />
exploded with laughter. His terribly<br />
10
loud laugh could be heard on the<br />
street, I am sure. Calling his wife,<br />
Harriet, he said, “This little one was<br />
to come for me long before, but<br />
she went to the butcher instead!”<br />
And they both laughed. I waited<br />
impatiently until finally, Mr. Kiolbassa<br />
got up, put on his coat and hat, and<br />
we both started for the Academy.<br />
I surely looked quite small walking<br />
alongside this giant.<br />
Mother Provincial was already<br />
downstairs at the door waiting for<br />
Mr. Kiolbassa, so when we came in,<br />
she said rather timidly that she was<br />
waiting for him. And Mr. Kiolbassa<br />
told her right off hand, “I know,<br />
I know, this little one was supposed<br />
to come for me, but she went to the<br />
butcher for sausage.” I ran upstairs to<br />
tell the girls my terrific mistake, and<br />
we all had a hearty laugh. Years after,<br />
when I became a professed, those<br />
Superiors told me that they could not<br />
restrain from laughing during their<br />
Council when Mother told them of<br />
my big mistake.<br />
Sr. Simplicia’s younger sister Sr. Laura<br />
Lawecka, CSFN<br />
Sr. Simplicia’s other younger sister Sr.<br />
Marinelle Lawecka, CSFN<br />
Sr. Simplicia’s oldest sister, Sr.<br />
Pancratius Lawecka, CSFN<br />
Mother Lauretta with sisters in Des<br />
Plaines in 1907<br />
Mother Lauretta<br />
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL <strong>2021</strong><br />
11
<strong>2021</strong> JUBILARIANS<br />
Congratulations<br />
TO OUR <strong>2021</strong> JUBILARIANS<br />
12
SR. MARITA RUPPE<br />
GOLDEN JUBILEE – 50 YEARS<br />
Entered August 10, 1971<br />
Sr. Marita first considered the religious life when she was in eighth grade and<br />
her teacher, a CSFN sister, encouraged girls to enter following graduation.<br />
Guided by her parents, Sr. Marita decided to attend and finish high school, but<br />
the thought of becoming a sister remained. As she approached her early 20s,<br />
the call to religious life surfaced again; so, she decided to explore and see if<br />
it was meant for her. Sr. Marita discerned with several communities, but the<br />
welcoming spirit of the CSFN Sisters made her feel at home.<br />
With an MA in American History, and certifications in Biology, General<br />
Science, Earth Science, Leadership, and Supervision, Sr. Marita served in the<br />
education world for 25 years. She is a lover of Broadway and live theatre and is passionate about dance. Sr. Marita enjoys<br />
reading, walking, and visiting art museums in her free time.<br />
Reflecting on the past 50 years, Sr. Marita is grateful for the many sisters who helped her “discover, use, and nurture”<br />
the talents and aspects of her personality she had not yet recognized. She is grateful for the various leadership<br />
opportunities that have allowed her to travel throughout the United States and Europe, meeting many of the sisters<br />
and forming relationships that continue today.<br />
SR. JOANNE MARY GOSCICKI<br />
GOLDEN JUBILEE – 50 YEARS<br />
Entered September 8, 1971<br />
Sr. Joanne Mary Goscicki credits entering religious life to her parents and<br />
the sisters who taught her in elementary and high school. She recalls, “After<br />
Vatican II, some of the CSFN Sisters held classes for parishioners who wanted<br />
to learn more about the decrees and what they meant to us.” Through<br />
attending the classes, Sr. Joanne Mary’s vocation was aflame.<br />
A loving and attentive individual, Sr. Joanne Mary is also known for her great<br />
sense of humor. She is a graduate of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT,<br />
and Quinnipiac College in Hamden, CT, where she earned a BS in Physical<br />
Therapy. Sr. Joanne has known the titles of Teacher, Physical Therapist,<br />
Development Director, and Provincial Treasurer. She is the Business Manager at St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy in<br />
Brooklyn, NY, where she has served for the past 17 years.<br />
“In looking back at my years in the community,” she says, “I have been blessed in so very many ways. Thanks to the<br />
many joys, ups and downs, and ministries I have served... I always try to encounter people as they are and treat them as<br />
Christ would, in a Spirit of Love.”<br />
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL <strong>2021</strong><br />
13
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR <strong>2021</strong> JUBILARIANS CONTINUED...<br />
SR. MARY JOAN JACOBS<br />
GOLDEN JUBILEE – 50 YEARS<br />
Entered September 8, 1971<br />
It was a desire to grow into a deeper relationship with God in a community<br />
setting that led Sr. Mary Joan Jacobs to enter the religious life. She was drawn<br />
to CSFN’s sense of community and willingness to serve others, and for the past<br />
50 years, she has done just that.<br />
A caring, resilient academic, Sr. Mary Joan currently serves as an Assistant<br />
Professor of English at Holy Family University. Serving students ranging from<br />
pre-K3 through college over the years, she is dedicated to nurturing their<br />
growth and always challenging her students towards excellence.<br />
Holding not only a BA and MA in English but also a Doctorate of Education in Educational Administration, Sr. Mary<br />
Joan has served in a number of schools, including: St. John Cantius, St. Mary of Czestochowa, Nazareth Academy High<br />
School, all in Philadelphia; St. Brendan in Miami, FL; Visitation BVM in Trooper, PA; and St. Kunegunda in McAdoo, PA.<br />
In her free time, Sr. Mary Joan enjoys reading, writing, serving in ministry with her students’ families, and teaching CCD<br />
to third-grade students preparing for Reconciliation and First Communion. She believes the most rewarding aspect of<br />
religious life is being able to deepen her relationship with God through community and working with her students.<br />
SR. MARY ANTHONY LOVEZZOLA<br />
SILVER JUBILEE – 25 YEARS<br />
Entered August 15, 1996<br />
Born and raised by parents whose faith was tangible, Sr. Mary Anthony<br />
Lovezzola attributes their everyday actions of how they treated others, dealt<br />
with adversity, and reached out to those in need as the seeds to her vocation.<br />
Her desire for religious life continued to be nurtured by the example of<br />
her first-grade teacher, Sr. Paula Tinlin, SNDdeN, whose love of God and<br />
gentleness left a lasting impression. During her college years, Sr. Mary Anthony<br />
participated in volunteer work in Haiti and Guatemala. The significance that<br />
amid great poverty rose a joyful love of family among the people challenged her<br />
ideals and what she valued. Moved by this witness, she surrendered to God,<br />
praying, “My heart is open to You, help me to do Your will.”<br />
Sr. Mary Anthony desired to share the love she experienced from her family with others in ministry and community and<br />
was drawn to the CSFN Sisters. She currently serves as an educator at Christ the King School in Philadelphia, PA, where<br />
she teaches seventh- and eighth-grade science, math, and religion. “The Kingdom of God is within,” she said.<br />
“We are filled with faith so that we may, in turn, share it with others.”<br />
14
SR. M. MARCELINA MIKULSKA<br />
SILVER JUBILEE – 25 YEARS<br />
Entered August 26, 1996<br />
For Sr. Marcelina Mikulska, being a sister is a precious gift of life that God, the<br />
Giver of Life, calls us to cooperate with Him. Attributing her discernment of<br />
religious life to Divine Providence and the faith of her parents, brothers, and<br />
grandparents, Sr. Marcelina prayed to the Blessed Virgin to show her God’s<br />
plan and credits the Blessed Mother with leading her to Nazareth. Sr. Marcelina<br />
recalls, “I was captivated by the sisters’ faithfulness and authenticity.”<br />
Sr. Marcelina obtained a Master’s in Counseling and Psychology and currently<br />
serves in the following; as a counselor for Catholic Social Services in the<br />
Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Rachel’s Vineyard, the world’s largest ministry<br />
for healing after abortion; Grief to Grace, healing the wounds of abuse ministry; and teaches at St. John Cantius Polish<br />
Language School in Philadelphia, PA.<br />
“I love to accompany people as they experience the mercy and compassion of God,” said Sr. Marcelina. “In my<br />
ministries, it is very rewarding to observe every person as they journey through the Paschal Mystery of life with<br />
compassionate reverence, dignity, and worth, which is given to us by Jesus Christ.”<br />
SR. MARTA GADZINOWSKA<br />
SILVER JUBILEE – 25 YEARS<br />
Entered August 26, 1996<br />
“It was the realization that God was calling me to be a religious sister,” recalls<br />
Sr. Marta Gadzinowska. “I did not decide on it, I discovered the call in my<br />
heart, and once I did, I followed it.” An avid Chicago Bears and Blackhawks<br />
fan, Sr. Marta currently serves as a Certified Medical Interpreter, where she<br />
provides language services via phone or video. “I see myself living out our<br />
Nazareth charism by trying to fulfill my daily responsibilities to the best of my<br />
ability, remembering that even the smallest and humblest things have a great<br />
value when performed as an act of love for God and others.”<br />
Deeply passionate about her vocation, Sr. Marta shares, “The experience<br />
of community, the Holy Family as their life model, and the simplicity of it all led me to the CSFN Sisters. The fact<br />
that we CSFN Sisters are called to celebrate and live the spirit of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph — the reality of God’s<br />
presence in ordinary and simple aspects of human life — is a great mystery that is so profound, yet so attainable,”<br />
she said. “Discovering it for the past 25 years has been one of the greatest blessings and adventures of my life.”<br />
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL <strong>2021</strong><br />
15
In Memoriam<br />
Sr. Florence M.<br />
Klaniecki<br />
November<br />
22, 1925 –<br />
February<br />
24, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Florence Klaniecki<br />
was born in<br />
Pittsburgh on November 22, 1925,<br />
to Matthew and Laura (Nuszkiewicz)<br />
Klaniecki. She was baptized at the<br />
former Saints Cyril and Methodius<br />
Church in McKees Rocks,<br />
Pennsylvania and attended Saints<br />
Cyril and Methodius School, staffed<br />
by the Sisters of the Holy Family of<br />
Nazareth. She completed her high<br />
school education at Miles Bryan<br />
High School.<br />
Florence became a postulant in 1944<br />
and entered the novitiate in St. Joseph<br />
Province on June 24, 1945, receiving<br />
the name Sr. Mary Eugene. She later<br />
returned to her baptismal name. After<br />
completing two years of novitiate,<br />
she professed her temporary vows in<br />
1947. She prepared for her perpetual<br />
commitment in Albano, Italy, and<br />
made her final vows on June 29, 1953.<br />
Sr. Florence began her ministry<br />
teaching at Immaculate Heart of<br />
Mary School in Pittsburgh and at St.<br />
Stanislaus School and in Our Lady of<br />
Czestochowa School in Cleveland,<br />
OH. In 1966, Sister returned to the<br />
Provincialate to serve as a provincial<br />
councilor, as school supervisor, and<br />
dean of studies for the, then, St.<br />
Joseph Province.<br />
Sr. Florence was instrumental in<br />
developing our Associate program in<br />
the St. Joseph Province centralized in<br />
Pittsburgh. From 1971 through 1974,<br />
she served as one of the Pittsburgh<br />
diocesan educational consultants.<br />
Concurrently with this role, she<br />
began doctoral studies at the<br />
University of Pittsburgh. In 1990, Sr.<br />
Florence served as director of Mt.<br />
Nazareth Learning Center. With<br />
nearly a half-decade ministering in<br />
education, she inspired countless<br />
students to be life-long learners.<br />
Though she left the education<br />
ministry in 1996, her kindness and<br />
compassion for others continued. She<br />
served wherever she was needed,<br />
including being a chaplain for elderly<br />
residents at HCR Manor Care and<br />
patient advocate at Mercy Hospital,<br />
both in Pittsburgh.<br />
Sr. M. Josepha<br />
(Theresa)<br />
Gagliardi<br />
November<br />
12, 1938 –<br />
May 17, <strong>2021</strong><br />
On November<br />
12, 1938, Santina<br />
and Floyd Gagliardi welcomed a baby<br />
girl whom they named Theresa. Soon<br />
after, Theresa was baptized at Our<br />
Lady of Loreto Church in Southwest<br />
Philadelphia. Once enrolled at St.<br />
Mary of Czestochowa parish school,<br />
Theresa met the Sisters of the Holy<br />
Family of Nazareth, whose profound<br />
influence on her began in her early<br />
education. Theresa was always a good<br />
student and a fine musician from a<br />
young age. She graduated from West<br />
Catholic High School for Girls in 1956<br />
and found herself even more sure of<br />
her budding vocation.<br />
Theresa became a postulant on<br />
September 8, 1956. Upon entering<br />
the novitiate, she received the name<br />
Josepha, a name that held profound<br />
meaning for her throughout her<br />
lifetime. She made her final vows on<br />
August 8, 1965.<br />
Having earned a bachelor’s degree in<br />
education from Holy Family College<br />
in Philadelphia and a master’s in<br />
history from the University of<br />
Scranton in Scranton, PA, Sr. Josepha<br />
was already well underway as an<br />
exceptional classroom teacher. She<br />
ministered at Our Lady of Calvary<br />
parish school, Cardinal Dougherty<br />
High School, Nazareth Academy High<br />
School, and Archbishop Ryan High<br />
School for Girls, all in Philadelphia.<br />
She retired from her education<br />
ministry in 2013.<br />
Always found to be laughing at a<br />
good joke, Sr. Josepha was sensitive<br />
by nature, a woman of principle,<br />
and a private person by all accounts.<br />
From her personality, uniquely<br />
her own, flowed so many gifts for<br />
others, each refined over a lifetime<br />
of generous giving. She was at home<br />
in the kitchen, where her cooking<br />
and baking for the sisters through<br />
the years was a sheer joy for her.<br />
Her listening presence to those<br />
who would confide in her is fondly<br />
remembered. It was a loving and loyal<br />
sense of family that motivated her<br />
relationships with her own family,<br />
community, and friends alike as, when<br />
asked, she readily assisted others with<br />
whatever was needed.<br />
16
Sr. M. Bernice<br />
Andrelczyk<br />
April 22, 1933 –<br />
June 3, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Sr. Bernice was a<br />
simple, intelligent,<br />
loving person<br />
with a Nazareth<br />
heart. She loved learning, reading,<br />
and helping others. Dedicated to her<br />
family, she kept in touch with them,<br />
supporting them in prayer.<br />
Born on April 22, 1933, in Throop,<br />
PA, Helen Mary was the daughter of<br />
Anthony and Sabina Andrelczyk, an<br />
immigrant family from Poland. She<br />
had four sisters and two brothers.<br />
Baptized on May 7, 1933, at St.<br />
Anthony Church in Throop, she was<br />
graced to be part of a family that had<br />
strong religious beliefs.<br />
Helen attended the local elementary<br />
parish school, and later, St. Paul’s High<br />
School in Scranton. Upon graduation,<br />
she became a postulant in 1950.<br />
When she entered the novitiate, she<br />
received the name Sr. Mary Bernice.<br />
She professed her first vows in 1953<br />
and her perpetual vows in 1959.<br />
Sr. Bernice began her dedicated<br />
service in education first in Brooklyn,<br />
NY, as a first-grade teacher, and<br />
later at Nazareth Academy Grade<br />
School in Philadelphia. She was always<br />
recognized for her ability to assist<br />
children in their own growth and<br />
development.<br />
In 1959, Sr. Bernice earned her<br />
bachelor’s degree from Holy Family<br />
College and was immediately assigned<br />
to teach there. She completed a<br />
master’s degree at the University<br />
of Detroit and continued her studies<br />
at Wayne State University, where<br />
she received a PhD in Chemistry.<br />
From 1972 till 1989, Sr. Bernice<br />
resumed full-time teaching at Holy<br />
Family College where she encouraged<br />
students to pursue degrees in<br />
the sciences.<br />
After 30 years at the college, she<br />
accepted an assignment to serve<br />
as the home and school liaison to<br />
Saint Mary’s Villa in Ambler. She also<br />
pursed a degree in pastoral counseling<br />
at Newman College in Aston, PA.<br />
When Saint Mary’s Villa closed, she<br />
was transferred to Our Lady of<br />
Calvary in Philadelphia, where she<br />
continued to work in support<br />
services to needy students struggling<br />
with math.<br />
In retirement, Sr. Bernice loved to<br />
cook, do puzzles, and play games on<br />
the computer. She was a homebody<br />
who enjoyed doing the simple tasks<br />
that made community life easier<br />
for others.<br />
Sister Mary<br />
Aquinas<br />
Tolusciak<br />
April 14, 1917-<br />
July 19, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Cecilia Tolusciak<br />
was born on<br />
April 14, 1917, in<br />
the Polish Hill section of Pittsburgh.<br />
Her parents, Basil and Theophilia<br />
(Bielewicz), presented Cecilia for<br />
baptism at Immaculate Heart of Mary<br />
Church. Raised in Pittsburgh, she<br />
attended Immaculate Heart of Mary<br />
School and was a member of the<br />
historic parish on Polish Hill, one of<br />
the city’s oldest and largest churches.<br />
Before graduating from Mount<br />
Nazareth Academy and entering the<br />
Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth,<br />
she was a young athlete. She excelled<br />
at basketball and tennis and developed<br />
a teamwork principle that would<br />
guide her entire life. Cecilia became a<br />
Postulant on November 5, 1933, was<br />
given the name Sr. Mary Aquinas as a<br />
novice on July 16, 1934, and professed<br />
her perpetual vows July 16, 1942.<br />
Sr. Aquinas began preparing herself<br />
for a life of service in education,<br />
earning a bachelor’s degree at Villa<br />
Maria College, a theology degree<br />
at Carlow College, and a master’s<br />
from Duquesne University. She did<br />
graduate work at the University of<br />
Notre Dame, Ohio University, and the<br />
University of Rochester. She taught<br />
32 years in schools in Pennsylvania,<br />
Ohio, and Michigan. She gained<br />
guidance counselor certification in<br />
Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan<br />
and served at Bishop Guilfoyle High<br />
School, Altoona PA, as a guidance<br />
counselor and assistant principal. In<br />
1974, Sr. Aquinas left education and<br />
became part of Mercy Hospital, where<br />
she served for the next 40 years.<br />
Mercy Hospital became Bon Secours-<br />
Holy Family, and is now UPMC,<br />
Altoona. While the name changed,<br />
two things remained the same — a<br />
dedication to community healthcare<br />
and Sr. Aquinas. She was 97 years old<br />
when she retired in November 2014<br />
and joined her sisters at Holy Family<br />
Manor in Pittsburgh.<br />
Much more could be said for a<br />
dedicated life of 88 years as a Sister<br />
of the Holy Family of Nazareth and<br />
104 years celebrating life. However,<br />
it was always Sr. Aquinas’ wish that<br />
at the time of her death, there be no<br />
fanfare and no long words about her<br />
life of service. She wanted simplicity<br />
and privacy. In life, she never sought<br />
publicity or popularity. In death, she<br />
wanted the same.<br />
She passed away on July 19, <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
Her Mass of the Resurrection was<br />
celebrated on July 28.<br />
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL <strong>2021</strong><br />
17
DEVELOPMENT<br />
Thank You From Our<br />
Development Office<br />
In looking back at 2020, despite dealing with the pandemic and all that it entailed, we realize how much we have to be<br />
grateful for: our families, our health, our friends… the list could go on and on! We are also grateful for each and every<br />
one of you, our generous friends and benefactors. Because of you, we were able to renovate the Sister’s section of Holy<br />
Family Manor, Pittsburgh. You also helped us replace the chapel carpet in our Grand Prairie, TX, convent and replace a<br />
smaller air handler at Mount Nazareth convent in Philadelphia. In short, because you are so very generous, we were able<br />
to meet ALL the needs of ALL of our sisters throughout the year!<br />
Each time we asked you, our loving and faithful benefactors, for help, you came through for us. You never let us down.<br />
Throughout the years, you have not only become a part of our history, but a deep part of our lives. You are a gift to<br />
us — a blessing to us — and we are thankful! Please know that our Sisters keep you in their daily prayers. We would<br />
also like to offer many thanks to the wonderful individuals who have served on our committees and all those who have<br />
been instrumental to the success of our fundraising events. There is truly no way to thank them enough for the time and<br />
talents they have shared with us.<br />
2020 Nazareth Retreat Center Committee, Southwest Area: Tim Moloney, Mary Jean Moloney, Bill Quinn,<br />
Polly Weidenkopf, Sister Francesca Witkowska, CSFN, Sister Mary Louise Swift, CSFN, Sister Rita Fanning, CSFN, Sister<br />
Marietta Osinska, CSFN, and Katherine Barth.<br />
2020 Oktoberfest Committee: Elaine Beatovic, Irene Delgiudice, Gunther Dorth, Margaret Gorder, Dan Gott,<br />
Michael Hoban, Jacqueline Hyzy, Jackie Pokorny, Mary Puente, Bob Neil, and Sister Clare Marie Kozicki, CSFN.<br />
2020 Holy Family Academy Alumnae Committee: Lydia Cabello, Margaret Gorder, Monica Hernandez, Adriana<br />
Jimenez, Jacqueline Hyzy, Cindy Perales, Jackie Pokorny, Mary Puente, and Sr. Clare Marie Kozicki, CSFN.<br />
2020 Province Financials<br />
Income<br />
Expenses<br />
18
Join “Friends of the Sisters”<br />
Monthly Giving Program<br />
There is now a simple, convenient, and safe way for you to donate monthly to the sisters without the need to write a<br />
check every month. First, decide on a monthly gift amount that fits your budget. Then, complete the authorization form<br />
on this page, allowing your bank or credit card company to transfer this amount directly to the sisters on a monthly<br />
basis. Your monthly gift helps support our retired sisters.<br />
To join “Friends of the Sisters,” complete and mail the form on this page, visit our website and click “Donate,” or call<br />
Katherine Barth, Development Director, at 847-298-6760, ext. 143. If you want to change or stop your gift, or if you<br />
move, change banks, or get a new credit card, just pick up the telephone and call us or email your request to<br />
kbarth@nazarethcsfn.org. We can quickly make any changes necessary.<br />
I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE “FRIENDS OF THE SISTERS”<br />
MONTHLY GIVING PROGRAM!<br />
I agree to make a contribution of $______ per month.<br />
___ Please bill my credit card each month. I have provided my credit card information for my monthly donations below.<br />
___ Please transfer my monthly gift from my checking account using the automatic payment plan. I’ve enclosed a check<br />
for my first monthly gift.<br />
Account No.:_________________________________ Exp. Date:_________________ Security Code:________<br />
I authorize my bank/credit card company to transfer the amount indicated on this form from my account on a monthly basis.<br />
I understand that a record of each donation will be included on my year-end summary and that I can cancel my donation at<br />
any time.<br />
____________________________________________________________ _________________<br />
Name (signature required)<br />
Date Signed<br />
Name: _____________________________________ Address: ______________________________________<br />
City: _______________________ State: ____ Zip: ______________ Email: ____________________________<br />
Birthday:_________________<br />
Please complete this form and return it to:<br />
CSFN Development Office, 310 N River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016-1211<br />
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL <strong>2021</strong><br />
19
310 N River Rd.<br />
Des Plaines, IL 60016<br />
www.nazarethcsfn.org<br />
Non-profit<br />
Organization<br />
U.S. Postage<br />
Paid<br />
Rockford, IL<br />
Permit No. 2495<br />
ORDER OPLATKI FOR YOUR<br />
CHRISTMAS EVE CELEBRATION<br />
We are once again pleased to offer our friends and family oplatki for the<br />
Christmas season. Oplatki (“oplatek” is the singular form) are paper-thin<br />
wafers of unleavened bread embossed with symbols from the Christmas<br />
story. Our oplatki (2 x 4 inches) are baked by our Sisters in Nowogrodek,<br />
Belarus. This symbol of unity is made available to you with the sincere<br />
prayer that you will find peace of mind and heart as you recall the sacred<br />
mystery of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, born of the Blessed<br />
Virgin Mary.<br />
You may order these special wafers by calling our Development Office at<br />
847-298-6760 ext. 137, or online at nazarethcsfn.org/donate/request-oplatki.<br />
We, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, are called to extend the Kingdom of God’s love among ourselves and<br />
others by living the spirit of Jesus, Mary and Joseph whose lives were centered in the love of God and one another.<br />
We witness to this love through dedicated service to the Church, especially in ministry to the family.