Sister M. DeSales Pietrak
of the Immaculate Conception
(Stephanie Pietrak)
August 27, 1912 - Apri1 18, 2003

Immaculate Heart of Mary Province
Monroe Connecticut

“Following the example of Our Divine Lord who said, ‘Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart,’ let us endeavor to reflect in our words and actions a gentle simplicity and an intense love of God and neighbor.” (Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd – Virtues, page 22.)

A woman as gentle and loving as Sister DeSales cannot easily be forgotten. She will be remembered not for the things she accomplished, but for whom she was for all of us. Her warm smile, her dry wit, her unselfish spirit – all of these things will be missed; yet, we are happy knowing that Sister is at peace with her Lord.

The former Stephanie Pietrak, Sister DeSales was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 22, 1912. At the age of fifteen, Sister DeSales spoke to her parents about her desire to enter the convent. Her mother explained that she was too young and encouraged her to go out into the world in search of a job. So Sister DeSales left one afternoon in search of employment. When evening rolled around, she was still not home and a search by her father and sister located her – with the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Torresdale, Pennsylvania. Her mother, learning of her whereabouts simply smiled and said, “I guess she found her job.”

Sister DeSales entered Nazareth from St. Adalbert Parish, Philadelphia, in 1927; was admitted to her temporary profession in 1930, and to her final profession, August 18, 1936.

During her 76 years of religious life, Sister DeSales lovingly dedicated 66 years to the teaching apostolate. She taught in schools in the states of Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Sister’s genial disposition and above all, her angelic patience won the hearts of her students. They loved her and manifested their affection for her as their teacher in many little ways.

The sisters who had the pleasure of living in community with Sister DeSales remember her as a faithful, loving person. Her charity and spirit of prayer were always an edification to her Sisters. She went about her tasks simply and quietly, being most solicitous for the needs of every Sister. In her association with others, Sister DeSales was extremely gentle and understanding. She had the rare gift of combining a deep humility, refinement of manners, charm, cheerfulness and good sense of humor.

Sister DeSales loved to be with people and enjoyed participating in parish and community events. Even after she retired to Marian Heights in 1996, Sister was involved in all the daily activities. Sister participated in the aerobic classes, enjoyed arts and crafts lessons, played bingo and looked for many other ways to keep herself busy.

Sister was very close to her family and looked forward to summer vacation. She enjoyed spending time with her family, shopping with her sisters, and visiting her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Sister DeSales did not enjoy good health – physically she suffered with heart problems for many years. In the early 1960s and then again in 1990, Sister underwent heart surgery. Time and again through the years, Sister was compelled to enter the hospital from where she would bounce back and resume her duties once again. However, about two weeks prior to her death, Sister DeSales became ill one last time. Never one to complain, Sister endured her suffering quietly and patiently. Sister did not have the energy to speak but she told all how grateful she was for their visit by her smile.

Sister’s condition continued to worsen, and on the advice of her doctor, Sister was admitted to St. Vincent’s Hospital, Bridgeport, on April 17th. On Good Friday evening, April 18, 2003, Sister DeSales, very peacefully, as she had lived, went to meet her Lord. May the Lord grant her eternal rest!

Digitized by S. Brendan O'Brien, CSFN, MA
School of Arts & Sciences
History Department
Holy Family University
9801 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19114
267-341-3279
srbrendan@holyfamily.edu
http://web3.holyfamily.edu/srbrendan
Last updated: February 2006