NC - Summer/Fall 2022

SISTERS OF
THE HOLY
FAMILY OF
NAZARETH
// VOL 16 //
// NO 2 //
FALL 2022
Nazareth
CONNECTIONS
FAMILY IS THE HEART OF OUR MISSION
Finding Nazareth
in a Storybook
STORY ON PAGE 6

MESSAGE FROM THE
PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR
Dear Friends of Nazareth,
There is a famous quote from St.
Catherine of Siena, a Doctor of the
Church, that says, “Be who you are
meant to be, and you will set the
world on fire.”
It is a mystery to ponder that
stepping into the knowledge of
being who we are meant to be
can transform the world and set it
ablaze with the love of Jesus Christ.
As a sister of the Holy Family, I
immediately think of the example
of the Holy Family in Nazareth and
reflect on this beautiful revelation.
I think of Mary and Joseph and
how they each received the gift of
their identity, as a child of God, as a
spouse, a homemaker, a carpenter,
a parent, a friend, family member,
and set the world on fire.
I think of our founding sisters.
When they came to the United
States, they also witnessed the
reality of this beautiful revelation.
As children of God, our sisters
utilized their unique gifts and
talents to serve the people
placed in their paths, and by
their examples, hearts were set
ablaze and transformed. And still
today, this revelation holds true
as modeled through the lives of
our incredible sisters and the
wonderful people we work with
every day.
In this issue of Nazareth
Connections, you will see some
admirable ways our sisters and
friends utilize their gifts and
experiences to set the world on
fire. You will see the extraordinary
witness of our Jubilarians, the
legacy of our sisters who have
gone to the Lord this year, and
how utilizing our unique identity
and gifts allows us to tend to the
needs and kindle the fires of our
local “Nazareth.”
Our prayers are with you and
your loved ones, and may God
continually be glorified in all we
say, think, and do.
In the Holy Family,
Sister Kathleen Maciej, CSFN
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/join-us. Contact
Sr. Emmanuela Le, CSFN, National Vocation Director, at 682-203-967 or
vocations@nazarethcsfn.org.
2

VOLUME 16 //
NUMBER 2 //
FALL 2022
Nazareth Connections is published
three times a year by the Sisters of
the Holy Family of Nazareth
in the USA.
Editor:
Rachel Neubauer
Proofreaders:
Sr. Angela Szczawinska
Sr. Mary Ellen Gemmell
Sr. Katherine Barth
Sr. Lucille Madura
Amanda Giarratano
Contents
MISSION
4 The Province National
Assembly Goes Virtual
MINISTRY
IN MEMORIAM
16 Sr. Geraldine Marie Wodarczyk
Sr. M. Dorothea Jurkowski
Sr. M. Constance Sabalauskas
Sr. Catherine O’Malley
Province Communications Committee:
Sr. Mary Ellen Gemmell
Sr. Angela Szczawinska
Amanda Giarratano
Katherine Barth
Heidi Scheuer
Sr. Emmanuela Le
Sr. Marcella Louise Wallowicz
Sr. Michele Fisher
Sr. Rebecca Sullivan
Sr. Danielle Jacob
Design/Print:
McDaniels Marketing
6 Finding Nazareth in a Storybook
2022 JUBILARIANS
12 Sr. Elaine Marie Klugiewicz
Sr. Mary Lou Kwiatkowski
Sr. Maria Annette Mallen
Sr. Linda Yankoski
Sr. Susan Therese Rojek
ON THE COVER:
Sr. Antonina Gadacz, CSFN
DEVELOPMENT
18 Thank You from Our
Development Office
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
communications@nazarethcsfn.org
nazarethcsfn.org
facebook.com/csfn.usa
twitter.com/csfn_usa
instagram.com/csfn.usa
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL 2022
3

MISSION
The Province
National Assembly
Goes Virtual
When considering how they would
proceed with the biennial 2021
Province National Assembly, Sr.
Michael Marie Franzak, CSFN and
her co-chair, Sr. Mary Joan Jacobs,
knew it would need to be quite
different than in years past.
“The Province National Assembly
(PNA) always provided a time for
our sisters to come together for
business and fellowship. It was a
time to reconnect as a Province, to
celebrate, to appreciate what each
of us does, and to get to know one
another — especially those of us
that live away from each other,”
said co-chair Sr. Michael Marie.
“[As we began to plan in the spring
of 2021], the first thought that
came to our mind was, ‘What
happens if the pandemic isn’t
through?’ said Sr. Michael Marie.
“We knew we needed to plan this
one differently, so we decided to
4

send out a list of questions
to the sisters and from there
we created our plan.”
What they decided turned out to
be quite a departure from previous
PNAs. With a desire to go deeper
into the topics typically scheduled
over a weekend, the sisters devised
a plan for a series of seven virtual
[Zoom] retreat days, beginning in
July 2021 and ending in June 2022.
“It was important for us that
this represented what the sisters
wanted, and we knew we couldn’t
do this alone, so we began to build
our committee and ask sisters
within the Province to chair the
specific meeting topics that would
be covered throughout the year,”
Sr. Michael Marie explained.
From there, those initial sisters
reached out to other sisters,
forming sub-committees for
each meeting. The theme for the
year of assembly sessions was
entitled “Adventure of Love and
Grace,” since it would be a year of
adventuring through each topic. Sr.
Pia Marie, then known as postulant
Kaitlyn Shelton, used her graphic
design talents and created a logo
replicating a passport stamp,
signifying the year’s journey upon
which the sisters would embark.
Supported by the CSFN
Communications Office, the PNA
began with great momentum on
July 17, 2021, and ended with
resounding success among the
community, with the last session
held on June 18, 2022.
With sisters serving from Texas to
Connecticut, the virtual PNA was
a time for the sisters to connect
as a whole and (virtually) be with
one another — something that
hadn’t happened since 2018
and was made more difficult
within the last two years of
the pandemic.
Though it is always more
favorable to meet in person,
the virtual 2021-2022 PNA still
allowed the greatest amount
of sisters to participate in each
session and connect during a time
of uncertainty.
Whatever the future may
hold, the sisters are up for
the challenge, ready to meet
whatever obstacles come their
way with grace and adventure in
their hearts.
“The amount of talents and gifts
among the sisters is incredible.
Additionally, many of the sisters
reached out to their work
colleagues to help collaborate and
make each session of the PNA
the best it could be,” said CSFN
Communications Director
Rachel Neubauer.
Sr. Michael Marie Franzak, CSFN
waves hello as cameras are prepared
for the Livestreaming of PNA sessions
CSFN sisters from all over the country
joined together digitally for the PNA!
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL 2022
5

MINISTRY
Finding Nazareth
in a Storybook
6

A little girl, a goat, a hippo with a
belly button — these are just a
few characters brought to life by
the creative genius of Sr. Antonina
Gadacz, CSFN. “The goal of my
stories is to send a message to
each child, to each person who
reads them, that they are a gift and
that God is actively present in their
daily life… We just have to learn
to stop and recognize Him.”
From her earliest childhood
memory, Sr. Antonina always
enjoyed art. “It came easy to
me,” she said. “I always had an
imagination and was creative in
how I did things. If I imagined
something, I was able to plan it
out and accomplish the vision
I had for the project.” In her
childhood, she began creating
beautiful puppets from old clothes
stored in her family’s attic. “I would
use the puppets for play or tell
stories to the little neighbor girls
I would watch on occasion,” said
Sr. Antonina. “However, it wasn’t
until I entered the community
“I found that my
characters and
storytelling were
a way to reach the
children and teach
them about God.”
and began working with a lot of
children that I realized being able
to draw, create puppets, and tell
stories was truly a gift.”
A gift her talent truly is. With
vibrant characters and colorful
scenery adorning her many
stories, Sr. Antonina’s stories
were launched to the public
this September as a ministry
to families and young children.
“I found that my characters
and storytelling were a way to
reach the children and teach
them about God.” Finding
inspiration from the lives of her
friends and students, Sr. Antonina
creates entertaining but relatable
characters in each of her stories.
“My stories are based on reallife
situations and have a simple
message to teach. [I want my
readers to know] God is present
in our everyday lives through
nature, family, friendships, and the
people we meet daily. Each story
is a lesson to remember that life
is not perfect. We are not perfect.
We are human. We get hurt. We
hurt others, but we are called to
be mindful and take those simple
occurrences of life to prayer every
day to ask God to help us.”
A native of Poland, Sr. Antonina
entered Nazareth with the
Krakow province and in 2004
answered an invitation to come
and serve in the United States. Her
first set of original stories, with
several of her student volunteers
providing the voice work, are now
available on our YouTube page
and nazarecsfn.org.
Sister Antonina, CSFN
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL 2022
7

8
REFLECTION

Nuns4Fun
Supporting Sisters
Pictured: Vicki Quade and ‘Sister,’ portrayed by actress Rose Guccione. Photo by Kat Phillips.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL 2022
9

Much of Vicki Quade’s childhood
was spent around Catholic sisters.
Her family was devoutly religious
and did all they could to help
the sisters who worked at the
Catholic school Vicki and her
siblings attended, including always
leaving a family car available should
the sisters need transportation.
The convent where the sisters
lived was less than a mile from
Vicki’s family home, and she fondly
remembers the sisters arriving —
always in pairs — and knocking at
a window to request use of the
family car. Her mother would often
send the young Vicki out to deliver
the keys to the sisters, whose
strict traditions made it so they
would not set foot upon the stairs
and quietly wait for Vicki or one of
the other children to seek them
out and offer the keys.
It seems fitting then that as an
adult, Vicki would find inspiration
in her Catholic upbringing,
and specifically in the Adrian
Dominican sisters who meant so
much to her as a child. Vicki would
go on to co-author the wildly
successful “Late Nite Catechism,”
an audience interactive onewoman
play that places audiences
in the role of schoolchildren and
the performer as their teacher,
a Catholic sister. With classes of
nearly 40 children each, the
sisters at St. Albert the Great
Parish in Burbank, IL, certainly
had their work cut out for them.
Their devotion to their students
stayed with Vicki over the years,
providing not only inspiration for
her theatrical work but also a
calling of sorts to continue to offer
a helping hand to Catholic sisters
everywhere, just as her family had
always done in her youth.
Since the debut of “Late Nite
Catechism” and the founding of
her production company, Nuns
4 Fun Entertainment, Vicki has
taken it as her mission to do
what she could to provide for
the sisters she remembers so
fondly into their elder years.
Nuns 4 Fun theater events
are interactive productions
revolving around lighthearted
looks at the culture of Catholic
sisters within our churches and
schools and include regular
performances of both “Late
Nite Catechism” and “Bible
Bingo,” another play authored
by Vicki.
“It’s important to
help these nuns who
are helping these
individuals who are in
such dire shape. It’s
such a message. These
nuns are there; they
are on the front line,
committed to helping.”
Following each show, the main
performer speaks to the audience,
highlighting the essential works
of the many sisters working in
our schools and the need to help
care for them in their retirement,
followed by a collection. To date,
Vicki and her production company
have distributed nearly $4 million
to the retirement needs of many
different congregations of
Catholic sisters!
In March, something changed.
Vicki had long been devoted to
providing retirement funds as her
singular mission, but after she
received a Nazareth & You email
bulletin detailing the plight of our
CSFN sisters serving in war-torn
Ukraine, Vicki knew a change was
in order.
“I’d like to be a part of this; I’d like
to help,” Vicki states. “It’s important
to help these nuns who are helping
these individuals who are in such
dire shape. It’s such a message.
These nuns are there; they are
on the front line, committed
to helping.”
Since March, all the collections
taken at Nuns 4 Fun productions
have supported our Ukrainian
Relief Fund, created to help
support the needs of CSFN sisters
serving Ukrainian refugee families
in both Ukraine and Poland!
We are so incredibly grateful for
Vicki and her devotion to helping
Catholic sisters over the years,
as well as her current focus on
fundraising for our CSFN sisters
in Ukraine and Poland. It warms
10

Liz Cloud as Sister in Late Night Catechism
Vicki Quade, present day
Vicki Quade at her first Holy Communion, 1961
the heart to know that those
sisters who so timidly knocked
at her window all of those years
ago struck such a chord, leading
Vicki to celebrate her Catholic
upbringing and education with
family-friendly entertainment
and inspiring her to give back to
Catholic sisters everywhere.
As Vicki told us, noting the critical
value she sees in Catholic sisters
today, “Sisters get the job done —
and anything we can do to help
people realize that, we’ll do.”
We invite you to continue
joining us in praying for peace
and safety for all those in
Ukraine and those helping the
refugees. If you wish to donate
to the sisters’ Ukrainian Relief
Fund, please visit our website
nazarethcsfn.org and click
“Ukrainian Relief Fund.”
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL 2022
11

2022 JUBILARIANS
Congratulations
TO OUR 2022 JUBILARIANS
SR. ELAINE MARIE KLUGIEWICZ
GOLDEN JUBILEE – 75 YEARS
Entered August 15, 1947
Sr. Elaine Marie Klugiewicz first felt a stirring in her heart towards her
vocation as a child attending St. Casimir Elementary School. The loving
and prayerful example set by the Sisters of the Resurrection, who staffed
the school, made a strong impression. It seemed almost certain she would
continue her education with the Sisters of the Resurrection, but God had
other plans; when her mother suggested Holy Family Academy as another
choice, something resonated with the young woman that made her choose to
attend. It was there that she first encountered the Sisters of the Holy Family
of Nazareth.
When asked of an experience in her vocation journey that stands out, Sr.
Elaine will laugh as she begins her tale. “I think God tricked me into coming
to Nazareth,” she will tell you with a smile. Though she kept in contact with
the Sisters of the Resurrection while attending Holy Family Academy, there was a change within her heart
even she did not readily realize. She made an appointment to discuss beginning the admission process with the
Sisters of the Resurrection, but when asked by the sisters if she was ready to enter, she blurted out, much to
her own surprise, “I’m not! I’m going to Nazareth!” It was truly the Holy Spirit at work in her heart!
“God’s trick” led Sr. Elaine Marie to continue her education with a Bachelor in Education from Loyola
University and a Masters of Library Science from Dominican University. Her ministry as a CSFN brought her to
Texas, serving as a teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas School in Dallas, Holy Family School in Irving, Sr. Luke School
in Irving, and later back to Chicago at St. Ann High School and her own alma mater, Holy Family Academy,
ending her ministry in education as the Director of Religious Education at St. Patrick Parish in Hickory Hills.
These days, Sr. Elaine has retired from public service and instead focuses on her prayer ministry. Though illness
in her youth had led doctors to surmise that she wouldn’t see past her 35th year, Sr. Elaine is now celebrating
her 75th year with the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth! Time hasn’t slowed her earnest heart; she
spends her days in prayer, reading, and listening to the stories of the residents of her home at Nazarethville.
12

SR. MARY LOU KWIATKOWSKI
GOLDEN JUBILEE – 50 YEARS
Entered August 13, 1972
It was during her formative years attending St. Stanislaus School (later
Cleveland Central Catholic School) in Cleveland, OH, that Sr. Mary
Lou Kwiatkowski first encountered the Sisters of the Holy Family of
Nazareth. She thinks back fondly on Sr. Mary Joseph Mielcuszna, a teacher
of math and English who quickly became a close friend. Sr. Mary Lou
fondly remembers attending Benediction at St. Stanislaus each Sunday
and then walking Sr. Mary Joseph back to her convent, often stopping
to have a quiet chat in the convent parlor. It was here that Sr. Mary Lou
first felt inklings of her vocation, recognizing that “God placed a calling in
[her] heart,” and was helped along on her path by Sr. Mary Joseph, who
put her in contact with the CSFN Vocations director.
After graduating from 12th grade at Cleveland Central Catholic School, Sr. Mary Lou went on to earn her
LPN certification from Connelly Learning Center (now Connelly Technical Institute). She continued on in
her education with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Theology at Duquesne University, and then her RN
certification from Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. Her education led her towards a ministry that to this day
remains very close to her heart.
Sr. Mary Lou spent much of her ministry years working with the elderly, working in various nursing and
healthcare positions for 20 years. Her dedication to her work brought her to Holy Family Manor, where she
took care of the aging sisters who lived there. She also worked with the elderly at St. Leonard’s Home, helping
them adjust to their new circumstances living in a personal care home. Sr. Mary Lou served in many capacities
over the years, as a nurse’s aide, an LPN, an RN, and an assistant superior before transitioning her ministry into
more pastoral care for many years, serving at times as a healthcare coordinator and chaplain. She found great
joy in serving her patients, particularly the elderly sisters she got to know during their care.
Today, Sr. Mary Lou has retired from healthcare but continues serving others as a volunteer with the Diocese
of Pittsburgh Archives, work she thoroughly enjoys. In her downtime, Sr. Mary Lou loves to take quiet time to
read, pray, and spend time in nature among the flowers.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL 2022
13

SR. MARIA ANNETTE MALLEN
GOLDEN JUBILEE – 50 YEARS
Entered August 12, 1972
Sr. Maria Annette likes to joke that she has an “invisible tattoo on the back
of [her] neck: RETURN TO NAZARETH.” The niece of two CSFN sisters
who have since gone home to God, Sr. Regis M. Wesolowski and Sr. M.
Loretta Wesolowski, Nazareth is not just a cornerstone of her faith, but
also something of a family tradition.
With education including a BA in Biology from Holy Family College (now
Holy Family University) as well as intensive study in Nuclear Medicine, Sr.
Maria Annette has had a long ministry both as an elementary education
teacher at several Catholic schools and also as an X-Ray and Nuclear Medicine Technician at Nazareth
Hospital. Currently, Sr. Maria Annette serves as a Development Assistant at her alma mater, Holy Family
University. In her spare time, Sr. Maria Annette is an avid fan of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team, and her
spontaneous — perhaps even adventurous — nature has led her towards the high-octane sport of racecar
driving. Sr. Maria Annette has even once driven 10 laps at Dover Downs, with speeds over 120 mph!
Sr. Maria Annette’s family connection to the CSFNs reaches even further back than her contemporary aunts,
Srs. Regis and Loretta; Sr. Celine Bednarska, who ministered as superior to the sisters serving in Nowogrodek,
Poland, was her great-aunt. Asked to accompany others out of the city as it was thrust into the conflict of
World War II, Sr. Celine handed over leadership of the sisters in Nowogrodek to Sr. Stella Mardosewicz, who
would go on to be martyred for the sake of the families in her charge and become Blessed Mary Stella. There
is no doubt this had a profound influence on Sr. Celine and, in turn, Sr. Maria Annette; she devoted herself to
her CSFN ministry, knowing she carries on a family and faith tradition.
SR. LINDA YANKOSKI
GOLDEN JUBILEE – 50 YEARS
Entered August 13, 1972
When it comes to her experience with the sisters of the Holy Family of
Nazareth, Sr. Linda Yankoski’s began early on with the CSFN sisters she got to
know while attending grade school at St. Christopher’s in Detroit. Her decision
to pursue a vocation with the sisters was cemented as her understanding of
“scripture and God’s mercy through the life of Jesus” grew, thanks in no small
part to the guidance of one of her teachers, Fr. Demetrius Dumm, OSB.
It came as something of a surprise to Sr. Linda as she was asked to choose a “mystery” upon first entering
the Novitiate; Sr. Linda chose “Jesus, Son of David” as her mystery, connecting to David’s innate creativity and
humanness, seeing the spirit of David in many people who have been a part of her life. A flawed man who gave
in to sin, David nonetheless persevered and held steadfast to his faith in God’s mercy, a lesson along with the
Psalms that are thought to have been written by David and have provided Sr. Linda with a source of inspiration,
love, courage, and hope.
Following her entrance into the Novitiate, Sr. Linda continued her education. A tenacious learner, Sr. Linda
went on to receive her Doctor of Education degree from Duquesne University, building on an educational
background in social work and administration. Her ministry brought her to the Holy Family Institute, where
she has served in various positions for 45 years, the past 34 of which have been spent serving in the role of
Executive Director or CEO.
Her ministry with the Holy Family Institute is held close to Sr. Linda’s heart. She keeps in touch with past
clients and residents of HFI as the years pass, never forgetting the connections she has made over the years. In
her free time, Sr. Linda enjoys the outdoors while engaging in gardening, hiking, and even golfing.
14

SR. M SUSAN THERESE ROJEK
GOLDEN JUBILEE – 50 YEARS
Entered August 12, 1972
While attending Nazareth Academy High School, Sr. Susan Therese met two
women who would change the course of her life: Sr. Francesca Onley, then the
guidance counselor at the school, and Sr. Catherine Gumienna, who taught biology
and physics. Through their quiet humanity, Sr. Susan Therese learned of the loving,
nurturing nature of the CSFNs and the true meaning of a sisterly community.
Though still a young woman, Sr. Susan Therese took these lessons to heart and
carries them with her to this day as she serves as a Sister of the Holy Family of
Nazareth.
Sr. Susan Therese began her educational journey with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Holy Family College
(now University) and began her ministry as a junior high teacher of both science and math at Our Lady of
Calvary School. Sr. Susan Therese moved on to several different elementary and high schools over the years of
her teaching ministry, including a position teaching physical science, chemistry, and theology at her own alma
mater, Nazareth Academy High School, where she had first encountered the CSFNs. After earning a master’s
degree in Theology, Sr. Susan Therese saw her time as an educator conclude after 30 years. She spent 10 years
in a secretarial position at St. Katherine of Siena Rectory before moving to her current ministry as a Pastoral
Associate at Immaculate Mary Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare in northeast Philadelphia, becoming
the Director of Pastoral Care in January of this year.
Ministries that serve families are of particular interest to Sr. Susan Therese. “Families form the heart of our
world. Without them, we could not exist as a society,” she stated. “I try to see Christ at work in families, and
I try to develop that aspect in my ministry. To touch families in my religious life makes Christ truly present in
our world.” Truly, those early lessons she learned from the first CSFNs she encountered have resonated with
Sr. Susan Therese and became the center of her life and her ministry, employing the same loving, nurturing
nature she learned all those years ago to serve the families in her care, and sharing in the love of a sisterly
community even in her downtime with quiet, home-based activities like reading and crocheting.
USING A FACEBOOK
FUNDRAISER TO
SUPPORT OUR SISTERS
Did you know you can help us
raise money to support our sisters
by setting up your own birthday
fundraiser on Facebook?
So many people are already
accustomed to using Facebook to
send birthday greetings to their
friends and loved ones; it seems a
natural progression to ask that they
make a donation to your favorite
nonprofit in honor of your birthday!
Such a gift provides a way for those
who care about you to both honor
your birthday and provide muchneeded
funding to an organization
you hold in esteem.
There are two ways to do this —
and both are easy!
If you have your birthday listed
in your Facebook profile, you will
receive a prompt about two weeks
prior to your birthday encouraging
you to host a fundraiser in honor
of your special day. Setting up the
fundraiser takes just a few simple
clicks. Once the fundraiser is started,
your friends will see it posted to
your page and can donate quickly
through a two-tap process, either
publicly or anonymously.
If your birthday is not included in
your Facebook profile, go to the
CSFN Facebook page (https://www.
facebook.com/csfn.usa), click the
Fundraisers tab at the top of the
news feed, then click “Raise Money.”
A few clicks later, your fundraiser
will be ready to go! You can then
share the fundraiser with your
friends. The best part is Facebook
doesn’t charge any fees, so our
sisters receive the total amount
raised!
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL 2022
15

IN MEMORIAM
In Memoriam
Sr. Geraldine
Marie
Wodarczyk
(1946-2022)
Sr. Geraldine
Marie was born
in Erie, PA, to Lillian and Joseph, and
was baptized Geraldine on November
3, 1946, in the family parish, St.
Stanislaus, in a show of gratitude to
St. Gerard for the healthy birth. Sr.
Geraldine attended the parish school
and later attended Mount Nazareth
Academy in Pittsburgh as an aspirant.
She became a postulant in September
1963 and entered the novitiate in
Albano, Italy, receiving the name Lillian
in honor of her mother.
Upon returning to the U.S., Sr.
Geraldine lived in the provincial
house as a student at Mount Mercy,
studying psychology and serving as a
case worker with the children of Holy
Family Institute, as well as taking the
role of housemother to 11 preteens.
The love she felt from Jesus,
she shared with these children.
In 1973, she was called to serve as
the Province Vocation and Postulant
Director and began work towards
her master’s in Fundamental Catholic
Spirituality at Duquesne University,
graduating in 1978 and returning to
her vocation ministry. In 1983, she
took on the role of campus ministry
in at Point Park College, later moving
on to Jesus Redeemer Convent on the
Provincialate grounds to serve as the
local superior while assuming the role
of facilitator for the pastoral plan
of St. Joseph Province. She later
served as the Provincial Councilor
for ongoing formation.
Sr. Geraldine then returned to Holy
Family Institute and served in the
role of administrative assistant until
1995, when she began serving as
superior of Holy Family Manor. She
was the last Provincial Secretary
for St. Joseph Province and the first
Assistant Provincial in Holy Family
Province. She then accepted the
position of Delegate for Religious
in the Pittsburgh Diocese in 2010,
faithfully serving for nearly 10 years.
Sr. Geraldine was called home to the
Lord on February 28, 2022.
She was laid to rest after a life of
following the call of Jesus to love
others as God does.
Sr. M. Dorothea
Jurkowski
(1936 – 2022)
Sr. Dorothea was
born on January 8,
1936, in Springfield,
MA, to Mary and John Jurkowski.
The youngest of 12 children, being
born after her twin sister, Dorothy,
she was baptized at Our Lady of the
Rosary Church and given the name
Dolores. She attended Our Lady of
the Rosary Elementary School and
Cathedral High School, and entered
the Congregation of the Sisters of
the Holy Family of Nazareth on
September 8, 1954.
A year later, Dolores entered the
novitiate in Albano, Italy, and received
the name Sr. Dorothea. Returning to
the United States in1957, she began
teaching at St. Cyril and Methodius
School in Brooklyn, NY. Sr. Dorothea
earned her bachelor’s degree from
Holy Family College in Philadelphia,
PA, and her master’s in English from
St. John’s University in Jamaica, NY. She
ministered in education as a teacher
or principal at St. Cyril and Methodius
School and St. Stanislaus Kostka School
in Brooklyn, NY; Holy Cross School
in Maspeth, NY; St. Mark School in
Stratford, CT; St. Stephen School in
Paterson, NJ;
and St. Mary Elementary School in
Worcester, MA.
In 1966, Sr. Dorothea became Director
of Novices and Temporary Professed
Sisters, serving through 1971. She was
later elected as Assistant Provincial
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Province. In 2020, Sr. Dorothea retired
to Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent
in Monroe, CT.
Sr. Dorothea embraced life, loving so
many different things. She had a great
sense of humor and always thought
of others before herself. An avid
baseball fan, Sr. Dorothea continued
to follow her favorite team, the
New York Yankees, well into her
retirement. In fact, so excited was Sr.
Dorothea about the Yankees that she
“converted” her table companions
to the sport! Each morning after a
baseball game, the breakfast table
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.
16

conversation was about the team’s
loss or victory from the previous
night’s game.
Sr. Dorothea passed peacefully on May
28, 2022. She will be remembered for
her trust in God, kindness, simplicity,
love of life, devotion to her family,
willingness to serve others, and her
eternal smile.
Sr. M.
Constance
Sabalauskas
(1942 – 2022)
Constance Helen
Sabalauskas was
born on April 10,
1942, to parents Stanley and Helen,
and was baptized in the parish of St.
Stanislaus in Philadelphia, PA. It was
here that she received her sacraments
and was schooled up to eighth grade,
continuing her education and vocation
journey at Nazareth Academy High
School, Holy Family College, and
Villanova University in the pursuit of
a bachelor’s and master’s in English.
Further schooling at the University
of Dallas produced a master’s in
Theological Studies.
Her interest in Nazareth began during
her time at Nazareth Academy. After
postulancy and novitiate, Sr. Constance
received the name Sr. Chrysostom,
later reverting to her baptismal
name of Constance as she began
her ministries.
The “teacher,” as she was known to
the postulants and novices she trained
at Villa Nazareth in Meadowbrook, PA,
continued to teach at St. John Cantius
and Nazareth Academy High School
in Philadelphia as well as Queen of
Peace in Ardsley, PA, St. Mary’s Home
in Ambler, PA, Colegio Espiritu Santo
in Puerto Rico, St. Brendan’s in Miami,
and St. Thomas Aquinas in Texas. She
also held the positions of superior,
principal, and guidance counselor
at various times. Whether she was
instructing the postulants and novices
or students, she embedded principles
of faith and love.
Her participation in the Sisters’
Orchestra enhanced her love of music.
Her knowledge of flora and fauna
were intermingled with her musings
about poetry, prose, and plays. All
these allowed her to see the spirit
of the divine love in every facet on
earth. Sr. Constance was called home
to the Lord on April 7, 2022. May she
continue to give glory to God as she
blossoms in her heavenly life with the
Spirit of Divine Love.
Sr. Catherine
O’Malley, CSFN
(1935 – 2022)
Barbara O’Malley
was born in
Pittsburgh, PA, on
February 8, 1935,
to Joseph O’Malley and Catherine,
and was baptized at St. Paul Cathedral
in Oakland, PA. She developed an
interest in religious life while in high
school. Her pastor recommended she
contact the “Nazareth” sisters. She
entered the novitiate on August 12,
1955, receiving the name Catherine.
On August 11, 1963, she professed her
perpetual vows.
Sr. Catherine received her Bachelor
of Education and Master of Education
from Duquesne University, as
well as accounting diplomas from
Pennsylvania and Ohio. From 1957-
1968, Sr. Catherine taught grade
school at St. Frances Cabrini and
St. Christopher Schools in Michigan
and St. Malachy School in Pittsburgh.
Sr. Catherine went on to teach high
school at Mt. Nazareth Academy in
Pittsburgh and St. Frances Cabrini in
Allen Park, MI. She was known to be
an excellent math teacher.
From 1974-1980, Sr. Catherine
ministered as the Assistant Treasurer
at the Provincialate, then serving as
Provincial Treasurer and Councilor for
St. Joseph Province from 1980-1986.
Following this, Sr. Catherine used her
skills in accounting to hold positions
over the next 20 years with Mercy
Hospital, St. Augustine Academy, North
Hills Catholic High School, the School
Sisters of St. Francis, Mt. Nazareth
Center, FOR, and Holy Family Manor.
Sr. Catherine was always faithful to
prayer. She loved saying the rosary and
participating in community prayers.
Sr. Catherine also enjoyed opera. She
lived a simple and private life.
In July 2011, Sr. Catherine moved to
Holy Family Manor. While there, she
was instrumental in forming the “Table
Tops,” which was a practice of filling
tables with goodies and practical
needs for the sisters to take freely.
From there, she moved to Vincentian
Home in Pittsburgh.
Sr. Catherine went home to God
on March 9, 2022. Sr. Catherine is
remembered as a dedicated teacher,
a faithful steward of the community’s
finances, and someone who was
always willing to share her many gifts.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL 2022
17

DEVELOPMENT
Thank You from Our
Development Office
Looking back over the 15 years I have served as Development Director for the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth,
I find myself humbled by the faithful and loving support of our friends and benefactors. Year after year, you have been
unfailingly generous, even — and especially — during this pandemic, which has lasted much longer than any of us could
have imagined. We are so very thankful for each and every one of you!
Thanks to your kindness and support, in the past year we were able to renovate bathrooms at several of our convents,
making them handicapped accessible. We were also able to replace second-floor windows at Nazareth Retreat Center.
These wonderful and much-needed repairs could not have been done without you! In short, because of you, we were
able to meet ALL the needs of ALL our sisters throughout the year!
Over the years, you have not only become a part of our history, but also a deep part of our lives. You are a gift to us, a
true blessing, and we are incredibly grateful! Please know our sisters keep you in their daily prayers.
Katherine Barth
National Director of Development
A GREAT BIG “THANK YOU” TO OUR COMMITTEES!
We would also like to offer many thanks to the wonderful individuals who have served on our committees and all those
who have been instrumental to the success of our fundraising programs! There is truly no way to thank you enough for
the time and talents that you have shared with us.
2022 Nazareth Retreat Center Committee, Southwest Area
Tim Moloney, Mary Jean Moloney, Bill Quinn, Polly Weidenkopf, Sr. Francesca Witkowska, CSFN, Sr. Mary Louise Swift,
CSFN, Sr. Monika Brulinska, CSFN, Sr. Marietta Osinska, CSFN, and Katherine Barth.
2021-2022 Oktoberfest Committee
Elaine Beatovic, Irene Delgiudice, Gunther Dorth, Margaret Gorder, Dan Gott, Michael Hoban, Jacqueline Hyzy, Jackie
Pokorny, Mary Puente, Bob Neil, and Sr. Clare Marie Kozicki, CSFN.
2021 Income
2021 Income
2021
2021
Expenses
Expenses
3%
59%
4%
17% 1%
19%
Salaries/Social Security
Rental Income
Donations
Investment Income
Other
27%
17%
7%
46%
Srs Living & Retirement
Buildi ng /Property
Gener al Operation
Development Office
Ministry Support
18

Join Us for the 2022 Virtual Social, “Sweet Memories”
Due to continuing health and safety concerns, we
again made the decision to move forward with
a virtual CSFN Social. That said, join us at 7p.m.
EST/6p.m. CST Friday, October 21, for the 2022
CSFN Social, “Sweet Memories.”
For more information, contact Heidi Scheuer
at 847-298-6760 ext. 238 or go to the “News &
Events” section of our website, nazarethcsfn.org.
I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE “FRIENDS OF THE SISTERS”
MONTHLY GIVING PROGRAM!
I agree to make a contribution of $______ per month.
___ Please bill my credit card each month. I have provided my credit card information for my monthly donations below.
___ Please transfer my monthly gift from my checking account using the automatic payment plan. I’ve enclosed a check
for my first monthly gift.
Account No.:_________________________________ Exp. Date:_________________ Security Code:________
I authorize my bank/credit card company to transfer the amount indicated on this form from my account on a monthly basis. I
understand that a record of each donation will be included on my year-end summary and that I can cancel my donation at
any time.
____________________________________________________________ _________________
Name (signature required)
Date Signed
Name: _____________________________________ Address: ______________________________________
City: _______________________ State: ____ Zip: ______________ Email: ____________________________
Birthday:_________________
Please complete this form and return it to:
CSFN Development Office, 310 N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016-1211
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // FALL 2022
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 paper-thin
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 by calling our Development Office at
847-298-6760 ext. 137 or online at nazarethcsfn.org/donate/request-oplatki.
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.