of the Infant Jesus
(Mary Czerwiec)
March 29, 1929 – January 8, 2006
Blessed Frances Siedliska Province
Grand Prairie, Texas
“I say this prayer to you, Yahweh,
For at daybreak you listen for my voice;
And at dawn I hold myself in readiness for you,
I watch for you.”
Psalm 5:3
In the early morning hours of January 8, 2006, Sister M. Aureline was holding herself in readiness for her Lord’s coming, and He heard her voice, and lifted her up to Himself. Like the Three Wise Men on whose feast she died, she had been on a lifelong journey to her heavenly home, and like them, she met her journey’s end when Jesus manifested Himself to her.
Mary Czerwiec was born on March 29, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of the eleven children born to John Czerwiec and Mary Kaczor. She attended St. Adalbert Elementary School and St. Ann High School in Chicago.
She entered the postulancy of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Des Plaines, Illinois on August 4, 1950. As a postulant, she taught second grade at Assumption School. She became a novice on July 22, 1951, professed her temporary vows on August 12, 1953 and her final vows on August 12, 1959.
She attended De Lourdes College in Des Plaines, and then she began her long career as an educator. She taught in schools in Chicago and Calumet City, Illinois, and in the summer of 1965, Sister Aureline arrived in Texas. She was among the small group of Sisters who opened the new elementary school in Irving, Texas, known as Holy Family of Nazareth School. She also taught in schools in Dallas and Grand Prairie, Texas.
From 1982 to 1988, Sister assumed congregational responsibilities as Vice Provincial Secretary and Vocation Director. Tn 1988, she became the local superior of Immaculate Conception Convent in Grand Prairie, and worked at North Lake College as an instructor of remedial reading and English as a second language. In 1992, she became a part-time secretary at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Dallas. Tn 1997, she returned to Holy Family Parish in Irving, serving as local superior and continuing her positions at the College and St. Peter’s Parish, up until the time of her death.
On Wednesday, January 4, Sister Aureline entered the Medical Center at Arlington for a heart catheterization. During the procedure, she experienced some complications and a heart attack, but she seemed to recover and was doing well. On Saturday, she made several phone calls, and the Sisters who visited her and brought her the Holy Eucharist reported that she looked very well and was in wonderful spirits. However, in the early morning of January 8, she took an unexpected turn for the worse, and despite the efforts of the doctors and nurses, her frail heart gave out, and she responded to the voice of Jesus calling her home.
Sister Aureline is survived by three sisters: Sister M. Dulciosa, CSFN of Des Plaines, Illinois; Mrs. Ginger Ferraro of Chicago; and Mrs. Lottie Bugay of Brandon, Florida; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Sister Aureline will always be remembered for her prayerfulness, her sense of humor, and her willingness to help others, whether it was by driving Sisters to Chicago for vacation, or helping Sisters master the English language, or visiting the families of coworkers and friends in the hospital. She was devoted to Nazareth, and a faithful supporter of the Congregation, always willing to do whatever was asked of her, no matter how difficult. She valued friendship and was a true and loyal friend to many Sisters, who have expressed gratitude for Sister Aureline’s presence in their lives. She was known as an excellent teacher, instilling confidence in her students and eliciting their love and respect for her genuine concern for them, especially for those who experienced difficulty in learning. She also gained the esteem of fellow teachers and colleagues.
As the fruit of her deep spirituality, Sister was always very much aware, of her faults and limitations and often expressed her sorrow for having caused pain to others.
At the time of her final profession, Sister Aureline chose the Infant Jesus for her mystery, and her love for the Infant never faltered. How fitting it was then that Sister Aureline was called to her heavenly reward during the season in which the whole world celebrates the joy and glory of the Babe of Bethlehem. One of her favorite Christmas carols was Jesus Malusienki (Infant Jesus), and the Sisters chose to sing that song during her funeral Mass.
We know that Sister Aureline is now enjoying what the angels and shepherds and wise men once beheld: the smiling face and upraised arms of her beloved Infant Jesus. We pray that she may enjoy eternal peace in His presence, something she so richly deserves.
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