of Our Lady of Divine Grace
(Mary Ann Cichocka)
September 10, 1911 – November 19, 2002
Immaculate Conception Province
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“Mary gave herself totally to God, accepted everything from Him, shared everything with Him, and lived for Him. My dear child, surrender yourself to Jesus so that with Him and for Him you will live, work and suffer.” (Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, Love Conquers All)
Believers throughout the ages revere our Lady, who, wholly receptive to God’s grace, surrendered herself to God’s will in jubilation and in trial. By the grace of God, Mary, a faithful daughter of the covenant, lived in fidelity to the promises of old. A vessel of God’s own choosing, she attentively nourished the Word of God dwelling with her. For all generations, Mary’s life proclaims God’s greatness over the earth, inviting peoples of every age into the saving story.
Today we recall another Mary and the story she has brought to life. In Sister Mary Ann Cichocka, we remember a religious who lived life to the full in steadfast fidelity, quiet availability and authentic witness, a life lovingly devoted to God who called her by name and espoused her in covenant love.
Anne Cichocka was born to parents Frank Cichocka and Mary Rabinska on September 10, 1911, in Somerville, Massachusetts. Dressed in the white robe of salvation, Anne was baptized on October 1, 1911 in the Church of St. Hedwig, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Gifted with a religious vocation, Anne set her mind and heart to the following of Jesus by the public profession of vows as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. With a certain and ever-vigilant spirit, Anne entered the Congregation on September 18, 1927, and was received into the novitiate in the Immaculate Conception Province as Sister Albertonia on August 21, 1928. Two years later to the day, Sister Albertonia made first vows on August 21, 1930. In perpetual profession on August 19, 1936, Sister Albertonia of Our Lady of Divine Grace forever sealed her covenant of love with God.
She had been graciously invited to go out and tell the whole world of God’s everlasting goodness and unwavering faithfulness. And so it was with a happy heart that Sister began studies that would enhance her gifts of time and talent to God’s people. Conscientiously applying herself to her studies, Sister received a Holy Family Teacher Training Normal Certificate in 1950 and a Bachelor of Art in elementary education from Holy Family College in 1960.
Fondly remembered for her ministry to very young and impressionable minds, Sister spent many dedicated years teaching kindergarten and first grade. Assigned to St. Joseph School, Jamaica, New York; St. Michael, Derby, Connecticut; St. Kunegunda, Mc Adoo, Pennsylvania; as well as St. Adalbert, St. John Cantius and St. Mary of Czestochowa in Philadelphia, Sister Mary Ann unquestionably held the best interest of her students uppermost in mind. Lastly, Sister Mary Ann was transferred to her beloved St. Gregory School in Plantation, Florida, from where she eventually retired to Mount Nazareth in February of 1989.
From 1930 to 1983, Sister Mary Ann offered her pupils a learning environment that some might have considered strict, but which, everyone had to agree, was fair. To Sister Mary Ann, teaching encompassed more than the subject matter at hand, it contained those values that engender growth and life-long learning. Reading was her specialty and parents, always wanting the best for their children, anxiously requested to have them enrolled in Sister’s class. An enthusiastic and committed educator, Sister Mary Ann fully realized her apostolic call to witness to Christ in the world.
That same loving witness was shared at home among her sisters. Pleasant and kind, busy about helping others when and where possible, Sister was a simple and down-to-earth soul, somewhat shy and perhaps just a little bit naive. Named and called as God’s very own, Sister Mary Ann lived in simple obedience to God and her cherished Nazareth rule.
Although quiet by nature, Sister Mary Ann enjoyed a hearty good time, especially where her favorite sports teams were concerned. An avid sports fan, Sister always exercised a spirit of fair play as greetings and get-well cards found their way to players in need, no matter the game nor the team. There were many among Sister’s favorites!
Love of family and community found a place in Sister Mary Ann’s heart. Of course, there had been hidden sufferings along the way, but deep joy radiated in her being and welcomed others. From her parents’ home to her home in Nazareth, Sister knew in her heart of hearts where she forever belonged.
It was to the Father’s house that Sister Mary Ann was called on the evening of November 19, 2002, after experiencing some mental confusion in the last few days before her death. Like the life that she lived in God-centered simplicity, Sister’s was a quiet and gentle passing as she humbly surrendered to Jesus who came to take her home.
By the grace of God, her’s has been another Mary story: beloved handmaid, ready instrument, faithful disciple; her life a daily proclaiming of God’s love and everlasting mercy in the spirit of Nazareth living. You are at home at last, dear Sister, dwell now with Christ and Our Lady in peace.
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: October 2006