of the Mother of Perpetual Help
(Augustyna Duszak)
January 17, 1912 – November 7, 2003
Immaculate Conception Province
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“With great love approach the Blessed Virgin Mary, our loving mother, imitate her virtues . . . observe how warmly she loved Jesus and how faithful she was to him.” (Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, Journey With Her)
1912 was an especially grace-filled year for the Duszak household in the fair city of Wilmington, Delaware: January 17 marked the day of dear Augustyna’s birth. Proud parents Constantine Duszak and Marianna Feret Duszak welcomed their bouncing new baby girl in much the same way that the world welcomed the dawn of a new year.
From her early years, Augustyna expectantly looked toward the convent as her future. Baptized at St. Hedwig Church in Wilmington, Augustyna, in time, came to more and more realize a keen sense of her belonging to God in a unique way. On the 8th of September in 1930, Augustyna left her home for another: the house of Nazareth where she would joyfully live, daily pray and tirelessly work as a consecrated religious for the next 74 years. Even in postulancy, Augustyna proved herself an eager learner as she embraced all the challenge and promise of her continuing call to religious life as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Welcoming the privilege of novitiate, Augustyna was made a novice on August 11, 1931. She was to become known as Sister Alfreda. Upon temporary profession on August 26, 1933, Sister Alfreda was assigned to St. Mary’s Home, now known as St. Mary’s Villa for Children and Families, Ambler, as both a house mother and teacher. While a member of that local community, Sister made perpetual profession on August 15, 1939. Truly she had found her place; she now irrevocably belonged to God in the uniqueness of a vocation that it was always plain to see she loved.
Sister Alfreda’s sense of humor and friendly and down to earth nature accompanied her to her next mission, Little Flower House of Providence, Wading River, New York. There she promptly rolled up her sleeves and dedicated her energies to the service of the chaplain-in-residence. Always neat and meticulous about herself even to her last days, nothing less would do for Father.
No matter where the mission nor what the ministry, Sister Alfreda always displayed a unique and reverential interest in every person with and to whom she ministered. In 1958, the number to whom she was called to minister swelled considerably, to say the least, when she was called upon to serve at the provincialate in the Immaculate Conception Province. Firmly taking her new charge in hand, certainly there was no sisters’ dining room in the congregation that was less in order! Sister Alfreda made it look easy! Soon after, Sister was transferred to Infant Jesus Convent, Nazareth Hospital where it might seem that new challenges presented themselves. Sister Alfreda, no doubt equal to the task, soon came to know the likes and dislikes as well as the needs of each of the sisters there. She lovingly passed on to others her selfless spirit of giving in all the “extras” she provided to one and all.
When in 1969 Sister Alfreda returned to her beloved Torresdale, how could anyone help but feel special when quietly approached with, “Come here, Sister, I have something for you. . . ,” and somehow knowing it was your favorite something or other. How Jesus shown in the twinkle of her eye! Lovingly known to some sisters as Alfie, Sister Alfreda ministered to the sisters and, for a time, the Holy Family College resident students in the provincialate dining rooms. Sister Alfreda went about her day to day work with a clear and steady purpose: Hers was a resolute spirit born of the love of her God and in imitation of Mary, her model. A simple soul, Sister knew and loved Jesus in her being and in her doing.
Indeed, Sister Alfreda exuded a zest for life that was altogether refreshing. An avid sports fan her whole life long, Sister Alfreda knew well the spirit of adventure. Naturally, she rooted for the home teams. A team-player par excellence, Sister’s strong sense of fair play was an example that drew others’ attention.
Another Sister described her as someone who had a glimmer in her eyes all the time, another characteristic that never left her. Even in the years at Nazarethville, when she was eventually cared for in the “Special Unit” because reality had passed her by, and she continued to live in the past when she was an active teacher, she continued to retain her happy disposition.
In the most beautiful of Nazareth ways, Sister Alfreda emulated that hidden life to which she felt called. Sight unseen in the planning and preparation, all entering the refectory knew Sister Alfreda kept a close watch and a careful eye on each and every one of her sisters: Whether it be a half-glass of orange juice and, mind you, not a drop more for one, or a just the right size orange, warming in the morning sunlight for another, Sister Alfreda was there for you! Sister Alfreda’s special care of the sisters is still fondly remembered at the provincialate as sisters can be heard relating stories that mirror Sister’s goodness, her kindness, her generosity to one and all. Her life, a living gospel, spoke volumes of the Mary virtues that found a special place in Sister’s heart and which animated her spirit.
Retiring to Mount Nazareth in 1989, Sister Alfreda continued to live the same kind of life for which she had become known. Even in the days before her passing, Sister Alfreda could still be seen attending to detail . . . still expressing a genuine interest in each of her sisters . . . still as neat as a pin. Sister Alfreda peacefully left this world and the Nazareth home she so lovingly and conscientiously helped to create on the First Friday of November, November 7, 2003, at Mount Nazareth. Like Mary, the Mother of Perpetual Help before her, she had given over her heart and her all to that of the Sacred Heart, and now, at last, she has gone home to her much deserved eternal reward. We, your sisters, owe you a debt of gratitude not easily expressed, thanking God for gifting us with your truly Nazareth presence and example these many years. Rest now then, dear Sister Alfreda, as a special guest of honor at the banquet table of the Lord.
Digitized by S. Brendan O'Brien, CSFN
Instructor
School of Arts & Sciences
History Department
Holy Family University
9801 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19114
215-637-7700 x3279
srbrendan@holyfamily.edu
http://web3.holyfamily.edu/srbrendan
Last updated: February 2006