of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
(Julia Szczepanska)
February 11, 1914 – September 5, 2006
Immaculate Heart of Mary Province
Monroe, Connecticut
“With great love, approach the Blessed Virgin Mary...imitate her virtues... observe how she loved Jesus and how faithful she was to him.” (Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, Journey with Her, p. 60)
From the beginning, Sister Michaeline was under the special patronage of Mary. On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11, 1914, Julia Szczepanska was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and there she received her early religious formation and education.
Following her sister, Sister Febronia, to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Julia was received as a postulant in the Immaculate Conception Province on August 21, 1927; she was just over thirteen years of age. Hence, her entrance to novitiate was delayed until July 8, 1930. Two years later Sister Michaeline made her first profession on September 1, 1932, and on the feast of the Assumption August 15, 1938, Sister Michaeline made her final profession, placing herself under the particular patronage of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Except for the years when she herself was a student, Sister Michaeline’s active life was dedicated to the teaching profession. A decade of years found her in Scranton, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A half dozen years were spent in Cambridge and Worcester, Massachusetts. For three years Sister Michaeline taught in tropical Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. However, it was the students of the Empire State of New York who reaped the benefits of nearly half a century of Sister Michaeline’s time and energies in Brooklyn, Wading River, Utica, Maspeth, Jamaica, Glen Head and Ozone Park.
Sister Michaeline loved teaching and she loved her pupils. She was a good teacher and her classes were well-disciplined. During her last assignment before full retirement, she supervised the school breakfast program. She was also moderator for a group of the Associates of the Holy Family.
Love for her family radiated from Sister Michaeline. Each year, she anticipated with great delight the visits to her family. When she was no longer able to travel far distances, Sister looked forward to her family visiting her in Monroe. Sister Michaeline was a jovial person and quite sociable. She easily began conversations and made others feel comfortable in her presence. When possible she volunteered her help, often unasked. She was ever grateful for favors done and gifts bestowed. She possessed a talent for writing beautiful spiritual greetings for those special occasions.
In community Sister Michaeline was a prayerful religious, easy to get along with, conscientious in performing her duties. She knew how to extend praise when needed. Of pleasant disposition, she did not hesitate to apologize for hurts she had caused. Even in her senior years, she came well-prepared to actively participate in community gatherings and dialogues, free to express her personal opinions as well as be open to new and different learnings.
As God is delighted when we acknowledge and make the fullest use of his wonderful gifts, He surely was delighted each time Sister Michaeline savored the wonders of creation. Sister liked lovely clothes and strove to maintain a comely appearance. She had a preference for delicately-scented soaps, lotions and colognes and she was very fond of shopping excursions. She thoroughly enjoyed good food of all kinds, and although chocolate was a favorite of hers, it unfortunately did not reciprocate her friendship.
Sister Michaeline retired to Monroe in 1994. As she continued to age, her physical problems increased. For the last few months of her life she was confined to bed. On September 5 as she rested comfortably, Sister Michaeline quietly slipped away to her Lord.
On September 29 Sister Michaeline would have celebrated her religious feastday. May St. Michael and his angel hosts today welcome her to paradise.
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