NC - Winter 2020

SISTERS OF
THE HOLY
FAMILY OF
NAZARETH //
VOL 14 //
// NO 3 //
WINTER 2020
Nazareth
CONNECTIONS
FAMILY IS THE HEART OF OUR MISSION
Celebrating
Sisterly Love
STORY ON PAGE 14

MESSAGE FROM THE PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR
Dear Friends,
The phrase “count your blessings” is
familiar to many people, but how often
do we actually pause to count our
blessings and to ask ourselves what we
are grateful for in our lives? Blessings
are not limited to the extravagant gifts
from the Lord that come occasionally
when we least expect. Blessings are
the things that have become a norm
in our lives, things we have taken for
granted -- our faith, a new day, the
fulfillment of our basic needs, our
relationships, and the countless other
ordinary moments we experience.
From early rising until going to rest
each day, our lives are filled with
countless blessings, reminding us of
God’s unconditional love for us.
The expressions of our gratitude
for these blessings received are not
limited to what we have received,
to our good fortune or to our
accomplishments. Our gratitude can
also be extended to the blessings
disguised in the many challenges,
hardships, and sufferings experienced
in life, especially during the Covid-19
pandemic.
The pandemic is perhaps the biggest
life-changing event that many of us
will experience. In recent months,
the loss of lives and employment, the
increase in fatigue and stress, the lack
of medical, household, and personnel
resources, and the experience of
being quarantined and isolated has
impacted and altered lives, forcing
people to seek new and creative ways
to adapt to our reality.
The resiliency and creativity of
individuals and families are evident in
the pivotal changes many of us have
made to our lifestyles. Many of the
challenges and burdens we faced have
become blessings. We found gratitude
for simpler and slower-paced lifestyles,
for increased quality time with family,
and for innovative and creative
ways to utilize time. Livestreaming
became a blessing, making it possible
for countless numbers of people to
participate in Mass and Eucharistic
Adoration throughout the day and
night as we found comfort, strength,
and peace through prayer. For many, it
was prayer that uplifted and refreshed
their lives in the midst of uncertainty
and fear.
Sr. Kathleen (right) during a stay-at-home
meal with Sr. Lucille Madura.
As we ready ourselves for the
liturgical season of Advent, we reflect
on an excerpt of the Magnificat,
Mary’s words of gratitude spoken
upon the occasion of her Visitation to
her cousin Elizabeth in praise of God’s
blessing upon her:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the
Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for He has looked with favor on His lowly
servant.
From this day all generations will call me
blessed;
the Almighty has done great things for
me, and holy is His name.
This Advent, I invite each of you to
write your Magnificat, your prayer of
gratitude to God for the blessings you
receive each day.
In the Holy Family,
Sister Kathleen Maciej
HOW ARE YOU CALLED TO LOVE?
We invite you to pray with us, to listen to God’s call with us and to love with us
as we find God in ordinary experiences. Learn more about our community life,
our ministries and our mission at nazarethcsfn.org/become-a-sister. Or contact
Sr. Emmanuela Le, CSFN, National Vocation Director, at 972-641-4496 x111
or vocations@nazarethcsfn.org.
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5
13
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VOLUME 14 //
NUMBER 3 //
WINTER 2020
Nazareth Connections is published
three times a year by the Sisters of
the Holy Family of Nazareth
in the USA.
Editor:
Tammy Townsend Denny
Proofreaders:
Sr. Clare Marie Kozicki
Sr. Jude Carroll
Sr. Lucille Madura
Contents
SERVICE CORPS
4 Holy Family Service Corps
continues to welcome new
members
MINISTRY
6 A little investment goes
a long way
REFLECTION
8 Reflections on our times
DEVELOPMENT
14 Stay-at-Home Gala:
Celebrating Sisterly Love
16 Oktoberfest
17 Pray the Holy Family
Novena with us
IN MEMORIAM
ON THE COVER:
Sr. Julia Bargiel, CSFN, serves as director of religious
education at Holy Trinity Church of Utica, NY.
17
18 Sr. M. Regis (Adele) Wesolowski
19 Sr. Mary Martin (Geraldine) Duffy
Editorial Board:
Sr. Angela Szczawinska
Sr. Barbara Frances Samp
Sr. Carol Szott
Sr. Jude Carroll
Sr. Kathleen Ann Stadler
Sr. Lucille Madura
Sr. Marcelina Mikulska
Sr. Marcella Louise Wallowicz
Sr. Mary Louise Swift
Sr. Teresilla Kolodziejczyk
Katherine Barth
Design/Print:
McDaniels Marketing
Questions, comments, suggestions?
Please contact:
Communications Department
Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth
310 N. River Road,
Des Plaines, IL 60016
847-298-6760, x144
ttownsend@nazarethcsfn.org
nazarethcsfn.org
facebook.com/csfn.usa
twitter.com/csfn_usa
instagram.com/csfn.usa
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2020
3

SERVICE CORPS
Holy Family
Service Corps
continues to
welcome new
members
Holy Family Service Corps (HFSC),
an extension of the ministry of Holy
Family Institute (HFI) in Pittsburgh
and the Sisters of the Holy Family of
Nazareth, welcomed four returning
volunteers and two new volunteers
in August. The volunteers serve
at various HFI’s ministries while
living communally and earning the
opportunity for an education grant
at the conclusion of their service or
earning a master’s degree, depending
upon the program they have chosen.
Each volunteer is assigned a Sister
Companion, a Sister of the Holy
Family of Nazareth who journeys with
him or her throughout the year. This
year’s returning HFSC members are
Ryan Crawford, Keilah Gussie, Julia
Natalia, and Adele Smith. They join
new members Abigail Whitehead-
Zimmers and Ellen Beaudry.
For second-year volunteers, Ryan,
Keilah, Julia, and Adele, learning how
to balance community life with
graduate school and teaching has been
the greatest challenge. “Throughout
my time in Holy Family Service Corps,
I began to recognize that I cannot
give myself fully to each of these areas
[community life, graduate school, and
teaching] if I do not take the time to
care for myself,” said Julia, a native
of Pittsburgh’s Springdale area and
graduate of Seton Hill University
in Greensburg, PA. “I overcame the
challenge of balance by striving for
progress rather than perfection and
allowing myself to learn and grow
through the process.”
Ryan, who is originally from Hershey,
PA and is a graduate of Duquesne
University, said that while his past year
of service has been “very busy,” he
has learned to manage his schedule
by “planning ahead.” Knowing what
is to come has helped him “to
remain focused on Christ by having a
consistent daily amount of prayer.”
For Keilah, a daughter of career
Navy parents and graduate of the
University of Mary in Bismarck, ND,
this second year of service work is an
opportunity for her to work with high
school students at Nazareth Prep, a
shift from her work last year with
elementary and junior high students
at HFI’s specialized learning school.
“High school was a big change for
me,” she said. Like the ninth grade
students she works with, she is finding
her footing in the high school world.
4

“I am still getting used to it but
learning each and every day how
to better teach and serve these
students.”
The pandemic has added another
set of challenges for the volunteers,
too. Adele, a graduate of Penn State,
said she has had to “rethink how to
do things” because of restrictions
due to Covid-19. “Simple activities
that I have taken for granted… I am
unable to do. Or, I have to find the
electronic version.” Despite the new
learning environment, Adele believes
she has grown a lot in the past year
and has learned how to empower her
students to advocate for themselves.
“When we serve students, children,
and people from all varieties of needs
and abilities, it’s easy to say from the
outside we know what ‘is wrong.’ I
always ask the child what is wrong or
what can be improved so they know
that someone is fighting for them,”
she explained. “My job as a special
educator is to ensure my students
get what they need and want to be
successful. More importantly, I think,
they’ll need to know how to say it
themselves so they don’t have to rely
on others to be their voice.”
For Abigail, her first year teaching in
the midst of a pandemic has taught
her a lot. “Everyone’s first year
of teaching is difficult but having
your first year of teaching during a
pandemic is very challenging,” she
said. “It has greatly altered the way
we teach and interact with students.
However, every day I am learning
more and growing as a teacher and
a person.” A graduate of Millersville
University in Pennsylvania, Abigail is
serving as an eleventh grade cultural
literacy teacher at Nazareth Prep.
Also joining Abigail as a first year
volunteer is Ellen who is serving
in HFI’s In-Home Family Services
program. With a degree in public
health from St. Louis University, Ellen
works with the In-Home Family
Services staff to equip families with
the resources and skills they need
to handle issues of abuse, substance
use, attachment disorders, grief,
depression, anxiety, and other family
problems.
Even with the challenges of balancing
work and school in the middle
of a pandemic, the volunteers say
they continue to grow personally,
professionally, and spiritually. “Being
able to see the principles [of Catholic
Social Teaching] at work allows me to
grow spiritually and trust that God
put me in the right place at the right
time,” said Julia.
The same is true for Ryan who said, “I
think my faith has grown substantially
and deeply. I believe I am more at
peace and serene, and willing to put
things in God’s hands more so than
my own. Even through the difficulties
of the pandemic, I think an inner
peace has remained because of my
relationship with Christ.”
To learn more about how you or
someone you know can become a
HFSC volunteer and grow in your
relationship with Christ, please visit
nazarethcsfn.org/service-corps/
long-term-service or contact Lynn
Guerra, Director of Volunteer
Services at Holy Family Institute,
guerra.lynn@hfi-pgh.org.
The 2020-21 HFSC volunteers.
HFSC volunteer Julia Natalia with
her Sister Companion, Sr. Annuntia
Osmanski, CSFN.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2020
5

MINISTRY
A little
investment
goes a long
way
by Tammy Townsend Denny,
Communications Director
Several months ago, Sr. Theresita
Donach, CSFN, arrived at the home
of the Stephen’s family with a bag full
of coins in hand -- $10 in coins, to be
exact. A close friend of the Stephen’s
family and a pastoral associate at their
parish, Sts. Philip and James Parish in
St. James, NY, Sr. Theresita handed the
bag of quarters and pennies to 12-
year old Shane Stephen. “I want you to
invest this for me,” she said. “Can you
do it?”
Having bought his first stock at
around eight years old, Shane was
up for the challenge. A self-taught
investment genius with a fondness
for watching Jim Cramer’s CNBC
show “Mad Money,” Shane took Sr.
Theresita’s $10 in coins and bought
penny stock, turning the $10 into
$30. With Sr. Theresita’s permission,
he then used the $30 to invest in an
index fund. Six months later, he had
earned her $250. “It took way longer
than I expected,” he said humbly,
attributing the additional time to
Covid-19.
With guidance from his parents and
encouragement from Sr. Theresita,
Shane donated $150 of the profits
from the investment to the Haitian
Health Foundation’s Give-A-Goat
Program. He also set aside enough to
cover any taxes on the earnings and
$50 to reinvest in the next project.
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While most children his age might
think of setting up a lemonade stand
or selling candy bars to raise money
for a charity, Shane wanted to figure
out a way to double or triple the
money in order to help others who
might not have the same opportunities
he has. “There are a lot of kids and
families who are less fortunate than
me and others,” he said. “I thought
it was only fair to give the money to
charity… Just one family can make a
difference.” Shane also pointed out
that living in an area without a lot
of traffic makes a lemonade stand
impractical. And selling candy bars? He
says using that method it would have
taken at least two years to make the
$250.
Shane attributes his generosity to
the example set by his family. “My
mom and my dad are both doctors.
They help people get on their feet all
the time,” he said. He also recently
assisted his brother with an Eagle
Scout project that involved planting
flowers and helping others.
What advice does this budding
stockbroker have for others who
would like to follow his charitable
example? “I wouldn’t really
recommend investing in the stock
market because there is always the
chance that you could lose everything.
If you have a couple of extra dollars
or if you see a Go-Fund-Me page,
just donate a couple of bucks.” Shane
went on to explain that while Warren
Buffett may give millions to charity, it
doesn’t take a lot of money to make
a difference in someone’s life. (By
the way, he is reading one of Buffett’s
books on business currently.)
Beyond learning about money
management and the stock market
during his project with Sr. Theresita,
Shane says he also has learned that
we need to follow the Golden Rule
and treat others as we would like
“She’s always telling me we should try to be nice to
one another,” he said.
to be treated, a lesson Sr. Theresita
reinforces each time she sees him.
“She’s always telling me we should try
to be nice to one another,” he said.
In the future, Shane plans to attend
Chaminade High School on Long
Island, then study business at the
University of Notre Dame. He also
wants to attend Harvard for graduate
school. His ultimate goal is to own
a hedge fund. But, before becoming
a world-renowned business leader,
Shane has a more pressing goal --
he plans to purchase KFC gift cards
to help feed the residents of a
local homeless shelter alongside Sr.
Theresita. He hears that the residents
there like KFC.
The Give-a-Goat program
sponsored by the Haitian Health
Foundation gives pregnant
goats to at-risk families in rural
mountain villages in Haiti. The
families raise the goats and are
able to sell or drink the milk.
Additional information is available
at haitianhealthfoundation.org.
For nearly 40 years, Sr. Theresita
has been involved with various
ministries in Haiti, including
serving on the board for Forward
in Health and making several
mission trips to Haiti.
The Haitian family with the goat
Shane and Sr. Theresita donated.
The goat was named “Tommy.”
Photo provided by Haitian Health
Foundation and used with their
permission.
Shane gives Sr. Theresita a check to
purchase a goat for a family in need
in Haiti.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2020
7

REFLECTION
Reflections
on our times
As this very different sort of year
comes to an end, we asked our
sisters to share their thoughts on
how 2020 has challenged them and
inspired them. The following are four
reflections that express gratitude for
the graces we have received even
during difficult times.
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SATURDAY NIGHT
SHELTER-IN-
PLACE SUPPERS
by Sr. Marcella Louise Wallowicz, CSFN
Thursday, March 12 began like any
other weekday for me: Lauds, Mass,
breakfast, and off to ministry. Shortly
before supper that evening, Holy
Family University employees received
a “blast email” notifying us that
effective immediately classes would
be suspended for three days while
faculty transitioned their courses
from face-to-face to online. On the
same day, Archbishop Nelson Perez
announced a dispensation from the
obligation of attending Sunday Mass
in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,
though churches would remain open
for the time being and Masses would
continue to be celebrated. On March
18, all public Masses were suspended.
The next day, all non-life sustaining
businesses in Pennsylvania were
closed.
Image top: A pizza created by sisters at one of our convents in Philadelphia.
While it seemed as though the world
was shutting down, we were fortunate
on several levels. Father Mark, the
priest who celebrates weekday Mass
in our chapel, conferred with the
director of liturgy for the Archdiocese.
Since Delaney Hall is a private chapel,
it was permissible for Father Mark
to continue celebrating Mass for
the sisters in our convent, as long as
we all were Covid-free. Additionally,
the University was prepared to
conduct courses and provide services
remotely. While the world shelteredin-place,
we maintained our “normal
schedule” within the confines of home
base: Delaney Hall. Since there were
no Sunday Masses being celebrated in
the parishes, Father Mark was available
to celebrate Sunday Eucharist in our
Chapel.
Typically, Saturdays are “free days”
in our convent. Lauds and Vespers
are prayed privately and there are
no formal meals. A tradition was
born from the Covid-19 lockdown:
Saturday Night Sheltering in Place
Suppers. Srs. Brendan O’Brien
and Linda Joseph ChiChi used
their culinary skills to feed our
stomachs and souls. The informal
gatherings with varied menus of
pizza, hamburgers, stromboli, chicken
fingers, roast beef sandwiches, and
grilled cheese sandwiches with
tomato soup, in addition to good
conversation, were welcome respites
from the monotony of the week.
Online learning continued through
the summer and despite the plan
to resume face-to-face courses in
fall, albeit on a limited scale, three
successive instances of Covid-19
necessitated the return to remote/
online learning. Zoom and WebEx
became new words in our vocabulary.
However, despite the efficiency of
online learning, some dimensions
of social interaction within the
educational infrastructure were
missing. That left a void. On a more
global level, it made me more aware
of those who experience little, if any,
human contact in their day during this
pandemic.
Very few expected the pandemic
to drag on this long. The stress
engendered by the pandemic stretches
across boundaries of age. While
there is much emphasis on how it is
affecting the young, particularly with
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2020
9

the cancellation of rites of passage
such as graduation, its effect on the
elderly, the ill, and the homebound
can’t be minimized or dismissed.
Diminished mobility and fear of
contagion are real concerns that
make these days more challenging.
What a great opportunity, though,
for the more able-bodied to put the
corporal and spiritual works of mercy
into practice. As a community, we
are blessed by the presence of one
another for sisterly support and to
meet the challenges and overcome
the struggles brought by Covid-19. It
is a gift I don’t take for granted.
THANK YOU,
MR. ALEXANDER
GRAHAM BELL
by Sr. Mary Bernard Wiecezak, CSFN
When I left my office on March 13,
2020, I did not realize it would be
several months before I would be
returning to my ministry. A new term
in our vocabulary would change
my life in a way that did not seem
possible. All semblance of normalcy
would be gone!
I have had the privilege of engaging in
ministry to the infirm, homebound,
and dying members of St. Peter Parish
in Danbury, CT for eleven years.
During that time, God has given me
the gift of accompanying our elderly
parishioners in their final years, often
interacting with family members and
neighbors. With the confusion of this
pandemic, it was now even more
important that I maintain contact with
those entrusted to my care.
I searched through my notebooks and
soon realized I was able to compile a
list of over forty names and telephone
numbers of people I had been visiting.
While I would not have the joy of
bringing them the Eucharist as I had
done in the past, I could call them
regularly. Mr. Alexander Graham Bell’s
invention, the telephone, became our
lifeline.
Loneliness and isolation were two key
factors with which all seemed to be
dealing. A phone call, a shared prayer,
or a song, was met with: “Thank you,
Sister, and please call me again.” I
assured them I would maintain regular
contact. As a very wise doctor once
told me: “Sister, you need them as
much as they need you.” And, right
he was, for I was not to be immune
from the emotional effects that the
coronavirus would have on all of us.
Since March, two of my angels have
gone to their eternal reward due
to Covid-19. More than five others
have died due to sickness and old
age. I have managed to keep in touch
with many family members who have
suffered their own personal loss.
In addition, I have had an open and
very supportive contact with our
pastor, Father Gregg Mecca, sharing
information about patients and
families. God continues to shower
me with the blessing of continuing
my family ministry under difficult and
unusual circumstances.
At the suggestion of two parishioners
who lived in separate apartment
buildings, we began a rosary crusade.
As advertised in our parish bulletin,
we would meet daily in prayer, asking
our Blessed Mother to watch over
and protect our family members, and
bring to end this pandemic. As I join
with my newfound “family” in prayer,
I know that God is watching over us
and through the intercession of His
beloved Mother, we shall one day be
together again.
God has gifted me with this newfound
ministry. For this, I shall ever be
thankful. For when He closes one
door in our lives, God always has a
window open for us.
Image left: Sr. Mary Bernard makes
phone calls to those she serves,
staying connected during the
pandemic.
10

USTAS AND
CANTZ
by Sr. Frances Smalkowski, CSFN
If 2020 Covid-19 life can be summed
up, I think it best to do so by putting
most of it into two categories: “ustas”
(pronounced “you-stas”) and “cantz.”
Clearly, this means all I used to be
able to do and all that I am no longer
permitted to do in various areas:
personally, communally, corporately,
and ministerially, to name a few.
Focusing initially on the positive
regarding how 2020 has impacted
my life, I share some thoughts:
1. I have experienced a deeper
realization of the constancy of change
and how challenging it is, especially
when it occurs at such a dizzying pace.
2. I have a deeper awareness of how
each of us handles change and stress
differently from simply overeating to
worsening of mental health issues
already present.
3. Because I am adding one vacation
day to my regular work-week
schedule, I have found more time for
the outdoors; longer stays at meals/
conversations; webinars and Zoom
meetings on various topics; letterwriting;
guitar playing; and, other
creativity like reading, thinking, praying,
and responding more easily from a
discerning heart.
4. Other new assets I have known
included getting to see and know
persons better through various
nursing, chaplaincy, and work Zoom
meetings and having the advantage of
telephone counselling and spiritual
direction sessions, as requested. Also,
I have discovered a very gracious
hairdresser among our community of
sisters.
Image top: Sr. Frances at St. John Paul II Center in Danbury, CT where she
serves as the director of pastoral care.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2020
11

5. Praying together quietly during
our Thursday Holy Hour is an extraspecial
treat for which I am most
grateful, if I am home that day.
6. Serendipitously, I have truly
appreciated the gifts of outstanding
care and food service during my time
of quarantine for what ultimately
was a false positive Covid test result
-- not to exclude the thoughtful calls
and e-mails I received.
7. In an extraordinary way, I have
had the extensive support of the
National Association of Catholic
Chaplains (NACC) through their
regular listening sessions and ongoing
communications which have helped
me not feel alone in my ministry.
Most difficult aspects of 2020
have included:
1. the deaths of many residents I have
known at the health center; as well
as my own priest-chaplain of 13 years
and our pastoral care dog mascot;
2. my inability to minister in pastoral
care as I had been able to do before
Covid;
3. missing all our regular pastoral
volunteers and our daily interactions;
4. missing a variety of planned events
and the cancelling of others.
What’s ahead? Since this answer is
totally out of my control, I definitely
still have hope as I prepare for the
long haul each day.
For me, it is similar to jumping out
of a plane. I do know that God is
with me as I go through each day,
but I also know that God wants me
to be connected to my parachute
by doing my best to “eat, pray, love”
and exercise along with trying to be
my best self with the daily needed
adjustments. Might this be skydiving at
its finest?
Image left: Sr. Frances helps with
various housekeeping duties at
the convent. Right: Srs. Frances
and Mary Bernard in the convent
chapel.
12

HIDDEN
TREASURES IN
THE GARDEN
by Sr. Angelica Zajkowski, CSFN
During September and October, many
of our Sunday Gospel readings dealt
with vineyards, grapes, choice wine,
and feasts. These parables reminded
me of my own vineyard, very small by
comparison to the biblical tales, but
another one of my hobbies connecting
directly to God’s loving goodness.
My backyard vineyard at
Transfiguration Convent consists of
two grapevines that I planted outside
the kitchen window nearly 25 years
ago. One plant was Niagara (white
grapes) and the other the traditional
Concord (purple) variety. My tasks
include pruning, weeding and watering,
each April through September. I leave
the fertilizing part to God, along with
some rain, abundant sunshine and lush
growing seasons. After several years
of maturing, we were finally rewarded
during the third year with a few
bunches of wonderfully sweet grapes.
Year after year, the harvest grew
larger, and the pruning had to become
more aggressive just to keep the
vines under control. During previous
years, the sisters looked forward to
the harvest and really enjoyed the
grapes. In recent years, I have been
sharing fresh grapes with parishioners
and staff, and more recently, began
making jelly to enjoy during the winter
months.
Last year was an exception with no
grapes to harvest because our spring
weather was too cold and wet to
set the buds. However, during this
past, most unusual year, our Michigan
weather was delightful for the most
part and produced a wonderful grape
harvest -- one of the best in my
experience. After eating our fill, the
large harvest resulted in processing
several soup pots full of grapes to
once again be boiled down and canned
into grape jelly. Since I mix the Niagara
and Concords, the juice is a lovely
deep pink rather than the traditional
purple color.
This is not a new pastime of mine,
but it became an additional feature
to pass the time during Covid-19.
My vineyard gives me reason to be
outdoors a little more than usual
during seasonally pleasant weather.
More than that, it is a way to become
closer to the Creator of the harvest
and to enjoy his gifts to us. It is
certainly a most unusual year, but
there are so many blessings around us
if only we look, and so much for which
to be grateful.
Image left: The Concord grapes that
Sr. Angelica harvested this year.
Right: Sr. Angelica checks on the
Niagara grapevine for the right time
to harvest.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2020
13

DEVELOPMENT
Stay-at-Home Gala:
CELEBRATING SISTERLY LOVE
14

On Friday, October 23, our sisters
took a technological leap and
celebrated our first-ever completely
online Stay-At-Home Gala. The event,
titled Celebrating Sisterly Love, was
held in commemoration of the 135th
anniversary of the Sisters of the Holy
Family of Nazareth arriving in the US.
Though the original intent was to
hold an in-person event, it was clear
that to protect not only our sisters,
but also all of our dear friends, an
online event was the best solution.
So, we created a 30-minute video
presentation featuring glimpses of
the history of the sisters as well as
greetings from our provincial superior,
Sr. Kathleen Maciej, and even our
superior general in Rome, Sr. Angela
Marie Mazzeo. We were so touched by
the outpouring of love we received in
response to our Stay-At-Home event,
including the generous support of our
gala sponsors:
INTECH Construction, LLC
Holy Family University
McMahon Automotive Group
Nazareth Academy Grade
School
St. Katherine of Siena Parish
WSFS Community Foundation
Thank you for joining us for this
very special event! The video
presentation is still accessible on
our Facebook page if you would like
to view again or share with your
friends. If you would like to make
a donation to this event, you still
can. Just go to nazarethcsfn.org and
click “Donate” (please note in the
comment section that your donation
is for the gala). You may also drop a
donation in the mail or call
our National Development Office
at 847-298-6760.
Back row (l to r): Srs. Virginia
Rozich, Mildred Chesnavage, Joyce
Baritski; front row: Srs. Eunice
Leszczynska, Aurea Stroik
L to r: Srs. Marcelina Mikulska
Boguslawa Cofala, Maria Sophia
Gerlach,
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2020
15

Oktoberfest
by Sr. Clare Marie Kozicki, CSFN
Earlier this fall, the Oktoberfest Committee and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth decided to cancel Oktoberfest
scheduled for October 11, 2020, due to the pandemic. As the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth celebrate 135 years
in service to our God and his people in the US this year, we had hoped to invite our friends and benefactors to celebrate
with the sisters.
Our Oktoberfest events have always been held for the benefit of our sisters’ family outreach. This year, due to the
cancelation of the in-person event, each person/family was asked to engage in a family activity of some sort (with social
distancing in place, of course) during the month of October and to remember our sisters at table prayer, then forward a
brief write-up and/or photo to us.
On behalf of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, we extend our sincere appreciation for the many generous
donations received in special remembrance of our Sisters’ 135th Anniversary. We greatly appreciate your support to
enable our sisters to continue their mission in their daily ministries of service to, with, and for families. May the family of
Nazareth, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, keep you safe and bless you with every good gift.
Looking forward to seeing you at our next Oktoberfest event—October 17, 2021!
Image bottom: Sr. Clare Marie Kozicki, center, at Oktoberfest 2019.
16

PRAY THE HOLY FAMILY NOVENA WITH US
The Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on the Sunday between Christmas and January 1. This year the feast falls on
December 27. Since 1989, friends of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth have joined us in praying the special Holy
Family Novena, written by Sr. Cathy Fedewa, for the nine days leading up to this feast.
Each day of the prayer focuses on a different aspect or form of family life, some of them non-traditional. “For all families...
for new families... for families in pain... for persons without families... for our brothers and sisters throughout the world...”
Sr. Cathy explains, “When I was thinking about this prayer, all of those different aspects of family life came to me.”
That year, the sisters in Pittsburgh received ecclesiastical
permission from the Diocese of Pittsburgh to print the novena;
they sent it to friends and family on their mailing list, invited
them to join the sisters in praying the novena. Eventually, the
custom spread across what is now the U.S. province of the
Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth - and beyond.
We invite you to join in spirit with this worldwide time of
prayer and also to use this novena at any time of the year. The
novena is available on our website at nazarethcsfn.org/prayer/
holy-family-novena.
We also invite you to watch our Holy Family Novena video
series featuring our sisters reading the novena. The videos are
available online at bit.ly/CSFNHolyFamilyNovena.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2020
17

In Memoriam
Sr. M. Regis
(Adele)
Wesolowski
July 12, 1923 - July
25, 2020
God has always been
the Master Artist weaving together
the colorful components in the life of
Sr. Regis Wesolowski.
Born July 12, 1923 to Mary and
Wenceslaus Wesolowski, Adele was
baptized at St. Josaphat Church in
Philadelphia. This is where she later
attended elementary school. Nazareth
Academy High School became the
next step on her journey, the journey
which would come full circle when Sr.
Regis returned nearly forty years later
to teach art at Nazareth Academy.
Adele entered the Sisters of the Holy
Family of Nazareth in 1939 after
graduating from high school. She
received the name Sr. Regis. This was
a continuance of a family tradition as
her aunt, Sr. Celine Bednarska was
already a community member. Soon
to follow Sr. Regis was her sister, Sr.
Loretta and in due time, her sister
Theresa’s daughter, Sr. Maria Annette
Mallen.
Sr. Regis received a certificate from
the Holy Family Teacher Training
School in 1944, complemented by a
Bachelor of Science in elementary
education from Villanova University.
She earned a Master in Fine Arts from
Catholic University in 1966.
She taught at Nazareth Academy
Grade School, St. Adalbert’s,
Sacred Heart of Mary, St. Hedwig’s,
Archbishop Ryan High School in
Philadelphia and was principal at
Queen of Peace in Ardsley, PA. It was
during her time at Queen of Peace
that God’s brushstrokes changed
the pattern of her life. A serious car
accident left her disabled. The grace
of God coupled with her will and
determination allowed her, after
a long recovery, to add a different
perspective to her life’s portrait.
In 1975, Sr. Regis began her ministry at
Nazareth Academy High School where
she instilled in her students a passion
for art. In 2000, Sr. Regis developed an
interest in icons. This interest fed her
soul in numerous ways. She designed
Mass cards for the development office
as well as producing works of art for
the annual CSFN auctions. In 2005, Sr.
Regis moved to Mount Nazareth in
Philadelphia. There she continued her
artistic work as long as she could.
On July 25, 2020, Sr. Regis was united
with her Master Artist and Our
Lady. The interment was private in
keeping with current health and safety
guidelines of the Sisters of the Holy
Family of Nazareth – Holy Family
Province.
18

Sr. Mary Martin
(Geraldine) Duffy
September 10,
1935 – October
22, 2020
With a twinkle in
her eye and a broad Irish smile, Sr.
Mary Martin Duffy brought kindness
and compassion to her ministry as
an educator. Born in Bristol, PA, a
small town outside of Philadelphia,
Geraldine Duffy was the daughter of
Bernardine and James Duffy. She grew
up with her sister Loretta, attended
St. Mark’s Elementary School, and
received her high school diploma from
Nazareth Academy High School. She
became a postulant in 1953, professed
her first vows in 1956 and her final
vows in 1962.
She completed a BA at Holy Family
University and an MA in teaching
mathematics from Villanova University.
Appreciating the essentials of her own
education allowed her to bring the
wonders of mathematical inquiry to
her students.
Sr. Martin’s ministerial career led
her to serve in Philadelphia at St.
John Cantius, Our Lady of Calvary,
Visitation BVM, Nazareth Academy
High School, and Nazareth Academy
Grade School; in Florida at St. Brendan
and St. Gregory parishes; and in
Puerto Rico at Colegio Espiritu Santo.
Sr. Martin loved a good story and had
endless ones on hand. She never failed
to elicit a grin from all who heard her
jokes or were the recipient of her
innocent pranks. According to one
sister, “Her laughter could be heard all
down the corridor, bringing a smile to
everyone.” She enjoyed holidays and
would find great costumes to dress
up for Halloween. On St. Patrick’s Day,
you could hear her singing, “When
Irish Eyes Are Smiling” all day. Sr.
Martin enjoyed nature. She treasured
taking walks, growing tomatoes and
appreciating God’s work in nature.
In her retirement at Mount Nazareth
in Philadelphia, she enjoyed making
rosaries and visiting with the sisters.
She always said as she made her
rosaries that she prayed for all those
who would use them.
On October 22 in the early morning
hours, Sr. Martin passed away. Her
funeral liturgy was celebrated at
Mount Nazareth Chapel on October
26.
Donations in memory of a deceased
sister may be mailed to Development
Office, Sisters of the Holy Family
of Nazareth, 310 N. River Rd., 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 2020
19

310 N River Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016
www.nazarethcsfn.org
Non-profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
Paid
Des Plaines, IL
Permit No. 340
ORDER OPLATKI FOR YOUR
CHRISTMAS EVE CELEBRATION
We are once again pleased to offer our friends and family oplatki for
the Christmas season. Oplatki (‘oplatek’ is the singular form) are paperthin
wafers of unleavened bread, embossed with symbols from the
Christmas story. Our oplatki (2 x 4 inches) are baked by our Sisters in
Nowogrodek, Belarus. This symbol of unity is made available to you with
the sincere prayer that you will find peace of mind and heart as you
recall the sacred mystery of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, born
of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
You may order these special wafers online at nazarethcsfn.org/donate/
request-oplatki, or by calling our Development Office at 847-298-6760
x137.
We, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, are called to extend the Kingdom of God’s love among ourselves and
others by living the spirit of Jesus, Mary and Joseph whose lives were centered in the love of God and one another.
We witness to this love through dedicated service to the Church, especially in ministry to the family.