In Memoriam Reflections

S. Annette Carrica “I lived with S. Annette for six years at St. Pius X in Aurora, Colo., and always liked her as she had a great sense of humor. I remember the stories she told about her Basque, sheepherding background. I think her brother Pierre ran away from that background and became a university professor. S. Annette was a very talented woman in a number of ways: an accomplished musician, a great teacher and she spoke English and Spanish equally well. S. Annette was extremely dedicated to evangelizing the people of God teaching in the Catholic school and several classes in RE. The present governor of Colorado still relates how when he was in the sixth grade S. Annette taught them about Teilhard de Chardin! Rest in peace, S. Annette.” - S. Laetitia Slusser “S. Annette was a postulant when I was a novice and we lived, worked and disagreed together in Manazo in the altiplano of Peru. She served the poor with all her heart, worked very hard with the Christian community leaders in Vilque and loved teaching. We had so many adventures together: wading through mud and water over our knees for miles to find families without food after a flood; getting stuck on the top of a mountain at night when the car conked out and huddling together in the back of the jeep trying to keep warm with flannel pajamas put on over our clothes and plastic rain coats; getting stuck in the river on the way to visit Ann and Fran and spending the night on the rock floor of a campesino’s hut with her feet in my face and my feet in her face, warmed by alpaca skins - and so many more beautiful, rich experiences. S. Annette was a good sport, a prayerful person, a lover of the poor. You are with Jesus now, S. Annette. As you celebrate, I know you will keep on helping your poor from Heaven and please, don’t forget us. - S. Mary Barbara Philippart

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S. Karen Vanoli “Karen was friendly to those who needed help. She was always willing to help others - taking them for a walk, getting things for them, etc. She always looked so well-dressed, almost like “never a hair out of place.” That was the way she was - always looking good but friendly and smiling. I got to know her when she looked after S. Raphael Garcia. Karen, you are probably at God’s right hand helping others.” – S. Rose Virginia Brown

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S. Mary Michele Fischer “Mitch and I talked often after losing El Pomar. There were not many places available for Sisters to stay when they visited the west. We began looking for a house with many bedrooms and found one. Mitch and I lived together for one year and then she was elected one of our councilors. She had been the Western Network representative. So we were happy that she was on the SC Council but we missed her. I learned a lot from her gentleness, kindness, listening to others, always willing to help. She was always careful about how we treated living beings - bugs, cats, dogs, animals, plants, humans, etc. I remember when she found a bug or spider. She would scoop it up in a paper cup, take the bug outside, and put it on the grass. She was always going to come back west after her term was up. Mitch, now you can be with us always and we’ll be looking for your continued help.” - S. Rose Virginia Brown “I didn’t know Mitch all that well until she asked me to do a workshop. We met a number of times in committee and talked together relative to this. The depth of her care and concern and her deep spirituality were so evident. It was always a privilege to be in her presence. God love and bless you, Mitch, for the gift you were to all of those who knew you.” - Associate Mary Ellen Williams “Mitch was a trinitarian woman. She was a contemplative, had a cosmic consciousness and played poker with her buddies. I pray for a double portion of her spirit.” – S. Grace Ann Gratsch “One of my memories of Mitch is that of being seated next to her during the last Chapter. Her grace, calm and gentle spirit was such a delight. It became very clear to me that her inner peace was truly reflected in her presence. Rest gently with the Circle of Charity in heaven abiding in God’s love for you, dear Sister.” – S. Suzanne Donovan  “I had the privilege of living with Mitch in Kensington, Md. Though we lived together just one year (1969-1970), I remember her as a woman who loved life, a woman of wisdom, deeply reflective, and unafraid to speak truth. Recently, I served with Mitch on the Governance Committee. I liked to observe her sitting quietly, listening intently, and then reflecting to the group wonderful insights. Even in this last year, she only missed a meeting when she was already committed to another community event. I shall greatly miss her presence with us. Rest in peace, Mitch, with no more suffering.” – S. Barbara Davis “The phrase that comes to mind when I think of Mitch is ‘Woman of gentle strength.’ There was always a peacefulness, and though I did not know her for long, it was always uplifting to enter into conversation with her. May heaven’s gain be a source of blessing for us.” – S. Regina Kusnir “It is hard to see Mitch go from us (though I’m glad for her). She was always ‘ahead of the curve.’ Enjoy your hard-earned rest, Mitch.” – S. Paula Gonzalez “I remember the year we were going to send Sisters to Eastern Europe and Mitch was supposed to go to help with some project about restoration of the area in Ukraine that was damaged during the nuclear meltdown. She was so committed to nuclear disarmament. The project fell through, but I was later given an opportunity to return to Ukraine to continue some work we had started there. I was not able to go at the time and contacted Mitch. She was thrilled to go and did a great job there (as she always did). A beautiful, prayerful lady - always.” – S. Dorothy William Englert

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S. Christine Marie Stahl "S. Christine Marie taught me in the fourth, fifth and seventh grades at St. Mary’s School in Hyde Park (Cincinnati). She was a wonderful teacher; knew her subjects; was very engaging; certainly got to know her students well; and always had such a warm, welcoming smile. I’m sure she has received an amazing welcoming smile in return upon her entrance to the Kingdom of God – a reward she so richly deserves!” - Associate Mary Ellen Williams

 

 

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