of Jesus Prisoner of Love
(Dolores Sojka)
September 7, 1924 – August 7, 2006
Blessed Frances Siedliska Province
Grand Prairie, Texas
Like a seed that falls to the ground and produces fruit a hundredfold, Sister M. Ancilla spent her life in bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God.
Dolores was born in love to Peter Sojka and Elisabeth Wrzesinska on September 7, 1924, in Chicago, Illillois. She was the oldest child and only daughter of three children born to the Sojka household. Her proud and loving parents brought Dolores to the Holy Innocents’ baptismal font on October 2, 1924.
Dolores attended Holy Family Academy, graduating in 1938. Her Catholic education continued as her parents enrolled her in Nazareth Academy in Des Plaines. It was there that Dolores began to sense deep within her heart a longing to serve God. She became an aspirant on August 21, 1940, and at the age of 17, on July 2, 1941, she became a postulant in Des Plaines, Illinois. Two months after graduating from high school, with her eyes fixed on Jesus, she became a novice on August 2, 1942, and received a new name, Sister Mary Ancilla. She pronounced her vows for the fIrst time on August 2, 1944, and perpetually sealed her covenant with God by the profession of fmal vows on August 5, 1950. From that time she would be known as Sister M. Ancilla of Jesus Prisoner of Love. Ever faithful to her chosen mystery throughout her lifetime, Sister could be found before the Blessed Sacrament in the early morning hours. The vision of our Blessed Mother Foundress, to spread the Kingdom of God’s love, motivated her at all times and places. Sister Ancilla spent much of her early life in the congregation in the teaching ministry. Immediately following her first profession, she was sent to St. Hyacinth School and until 1963 she taught in various Catholic schools.
Sister Ancilla received a Bachelor of Arts degree from De Paul University in 1958. For two years, from 1960-1962, Sister took post graduate courses in administration, and in 1975, she earned a Master’s Degree in Education with a major in administration from Sienna Heights College. Sister Ancilla continued her studies in gerontology and nursing home management and in May of 1978, she became a licensed nursing home administrator.
Besides teaching, Sister Ancilla was assigned to many other ministries within the Congregation. She was always ready for change and quick to adapt. For seven years, from 1963 to 1970, Sister Ancilla was assigned to formation ministry in Des Plaines, Illinois, where she served as novice director. Upon completion of her studies for a nursing home administrator, Sister Ancilla became the administrator of Nazarethville, our congregational home for the aged in Des Plaines, where she served for eight years.
Sister Ancilla was one of the pioneers of our Philippine Mission. In 1982, Sr. Ancilla was asked by the general administration to help establish a new mission for the congregation in the Philippines. For seven years, she, together with Sr. Aurea and Sr. Mary Frances, faithfully and lovingly planted seeds, watered them and watched them grow. When Sister Ancilla returned from the Philippines, she left behind a bit of her heart, but she also took with her the love and gratitude of all those whose lives she had touched with her kindness, good example and words of encouragement.
Sister was no stranger to the Congregation’s General Chapter proceedings. She proudly represented Sacred Heart Province in 1977 and 1992, as well as the Philippines in 1988 and Blessed Frances Siedliska Province in 1997.
In 1994, Sr. Ancilla was called upon to assume a leadership role as Provincial Superior in Blessed Frances Siedliska Province in Texas. There was no doubt that Sister showed genuine love, care and concern for her sisters and their families. Sister Ancilla was always interested in people, finding joy and energy in her interaction with them. Sister cared deeply for the sisters with whom she lived. She was always there to share with them their joys and sorrows. She loved to get to know their family members and she stayed in touch with many of them. Her genuine interest in people generated an enormous list of friends, here in Texas, throughout the country, as well as around the world. She is remembered for her quick wit and sense of humor, and her favorite saying was “God loves a cheerful giver.” Her gracious hospitality to all who came to visit is also remembered by many. The best example would be the annual picnics such as the “pig roast” at her brother’s Villa, which Sr. Ancilla co-sponsored with her brother Walter.
As provincial superior, Sister became a board member of Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas, and Bethania Hospital in Wichita Falls, Texas. Sister was involved in the mergers that each hospital had undergone, and she always had the well-being of each System at heart. As Mother Frances Hospital became Trinity Mother Frances Health System and Bethania Hospital became United Regional Health Care System, Sister Ancilla continued to serve on their boards with great dedication.
Sister believed in not going back. Therefore, upon completion of her term of office as Provincial Superior, Sister Ancilla decided to stay in Blessed Frances Siedliska Province, which she had come to love very much. Her last assignment was in pastoral care at United Regional Health Care System in Wichita Falls, Texas. Here too, she was very much appreciated by the administration and the people with whom she worked and those whom she served, especially her Holy Family Associates.
She loved her family, and found special happiness in her relationship with them. In her vocation story, Sr. Ancilla shared: “I remain convinced that my gratitude to God, my parents and family is best expressed by being a faithful religious, and thereby God&squo;s blessing will be bestowed upon my family to the extent of my sincere fidelity.” Although she loved and cared for each member of her family, there was always a special place in her heart for her brother, Walter L. Sojka.
Throughout her years in different ministries, she worked zealously to witness God’s love and to spread the Kingdom of God. Even as her health began to fail, causing increasing frailty, Sister Ancilla continued to give all she had. It seemed evident that Sister’s love for the Congregation and her family found expression in her dedicated service.
Throughout her years in different ministries, she worked zealously to witness God’s love and to spread the Kingdom of God. Even as her health began to fail, causing increasing frailty, Sister Ancilla continued to give all she had. It seemed evident that Sister’s love for the Congregation and her family found expression in her dedicated service. As the weeks passed by, Sister began to lose weight and along with the loss of weight was the loss of her energy. During her time of illness, Sister Ancilla never complained and was very grateful for any service rendered, and no good deed went unnoticed. She had a courageous, loving spirit, and an accepting attitude toward her illness. The week of August 2nd, when she was admitted to the hospital, was a very difficult one for her. Each day brought more discomfort and weakness to her tired body. Realizing that she would not recover from her illness, she peacefully awaited the moment of her meeting with Jesus, whom she chose to follow 65 years ago. It was in the late evening hours of August 7, 2006, that she opened her eyes to the glorious sight of her Father and heard Him say, “This is my beloved daughter, with whom I am well pleased!”
May she rest in the loving arms of her Father.
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: September 2006