NC - 2022 - Winter

Sr. M. Teresita
Morales, CSFN
(1934 – 2022)
Juanita Morales
was born March
12, 1934, in
Río Grande, Puerto Rico, to Eloy
and Dolores Morales, the youngest
daughter among three brothers
and four sisters. In addition to her
immediate family, from the time
she was 11 years old, she lived in
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, with her first
cousins, Juan and Juana Blaimayar, who
she also considered as a brother and
a sister.
Her move to Hato Rey opened the
door for her to meet the Sisters
of the Holy Family of Nazareth
at Colegio Espíritu Santo. Upon
completing her senior year as
a member of the Colegio’s first
graduating class, she entered the
Congregation in 1953. In 1954,
Juanita received the name Teresita,
and upon making her final vows in
1962, became Sr. Teresita of Jesus.
Sr. Teresita attended Holy Family
College (Holy Family University)
in Philadelphia, PA, majoring in
Spanish, and St. Charles Seminary in
Philadelphia, receiving a Master’s in
Religious Studies. Sr. Teresita spent
one year in New York at St. Cyril and
Methodius, after which she returned
to Colegio Espíritu Santo from 1956-
1984. She taught various classes over
the years, becoming principal of pre-K
through eighth grade for nine years.
In 1988, Sr. Tersita completed the
school year as principal at Academia
del Carmen in Carolina, Puerto
Rico, then taught there until 1999.
In 2012, Sr. Teresita was transferred
to Mount Nazareth in Philadelphia,
and continued preparing children for
the sacrament of the Eucharist at
Nazareth Academy Grade School in
Philadelphia.
In 2015, Sr. Teresita transitioned into
a special mission that emanated from
her kind heart as she sought to serve
Sisters’ needs at Mount Nazareth
in Philadelphia. With simplicity and
love, Sr. Teresita cared for the physical
needs of ailing Sisters and handled
daily tasks in the dining room, even
making Puerto Rican meals and treats
for the Sisters.
In short, Sr. Teresita, simple and
sincere in her actions, lived in union
with Christ, totally dedicated to
serving her Sisters and co-workers
kindly and joyfully while showing
interest in families, former students,
her flowers, and current events. She
indeed had a green thumb. Flowers,
especially orchids, just bloomed at
her fingertips!
Early in the morning on September
14, 2022, the Feast of the Exaltation
of His Holy Cross, Sr. Teresita went
home to God. May she rest in peace.
Sr. Carol
Ann Szott
(1943 – 2022)
Carol Ann Szott
was born March
22, 1943, to
Joseph and Frances Szott in Detroit,
MI. She attended Saint Christopher
School in Detroit, but in deciding
she wanted to be a Sister, traveled
to meet the CSFN Sisters at Mount
Nazareth Academy in Pittsburgh, PA.
Carol graduated from the Academy in
1959 and entered the Congregation
of the Sisters of the Holy Family of
Nazareth. She professed her perpetual
vows in August 1967 as Sr. Mark, later
reverting to her baptismal name of
Sr. Carol.
Sr. Carol was always profoundly
grateful for the education she
received throughout the years,
earning both a Bachelor of Science
in Education and an Associate
Degree in Mental Health Technology
and Human Service Advocacy. Her
years of ministry saw her serving in
many different capacities, including
tenures as a teacher, principal, dean of
students, vocations minister, manager
of Holy Family Manor, and most
recently, facilities manager for the
Great Lakes area.
In reflecting throughout her life, Sr.
Carol often said, “I don’t know how
I deserve all these blessings.” Among
the many blessings she cherished were
her love of family and appreciation
for community, nature, and animals. Sr.
Carol was especially fond of her dog,
Lacy, who she trained as a therapy dog.
An enduring blessing to Sr. Carol was
the opening of “The Cottage,” a home
on the grounds of the former Saint
Joseph Provincialate in Pittsburgh for
Sisters to relax, pray, and take time
for silence.
Sr. Carol enjoyed cooking, discovering
different recipes, spending time
outdoors for prayer, taking meditation
walks, hiking, golfing, following
sports, and listening to music. It was
important to Sister to keep in touch
with family, which she did over the
phone, social media, and occasional
visits to family events. Most important
to her was a weekly call to her
mother, whose love and wisdom she
cherished deeply.
Carol spent her last days keeping her
heart and mind on the love of her
God. Sr. Carol was called home to the
Lord on June 18, 2022. May she rest
in peace.
Donations in memory of a
deceased Sister may be mailed
to Development Office, Sisters
of the Holy Family of Nazareth,
310 N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL
60016. Please include a note with
the name of the Sister in whose
memory you are giving. Donations
may also be made online at
nazarethcsfn.org/donate.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS //WINTER 2022
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