(July 16, 1909 - July 5, 2012)
Word has been received of the death of Sister Aloysia Marie (Mulcaire) who died at 7:35 p.m. on July 5, 2012.
Sister Aloysia Marie lived her 102 years, 83 in religious life, to the full. She began what would be a 54-year teaching career in various elementary schools in mid-western states. She served as principal and superior in many places, but her true love was teaching English. She was good at it and the children really learned their grammar and many other lessons.
She was a no nonsense person and was an excellent disciplinarian. She was often referred to as “Big Al” At times she could seem gruff, but those who really knew her saw the loving person underneath. Often students feared her but soon discovered her care for them. Sister John Margaret Dietzen who was principal at Holy Cross Grade School in South Bend, tells of a class that feared having Sister Aloysia Marie as a teacher, but by the time the school year ended, they asked if they could be in her home room when they were in eighth grade.
When her formal teaching days came to an end, she served as a receptionist at Moreau Seminary and then enjoyed a well-deserved sabbatical at Saint Catherine-by-the-Sea in Ventura, California. From there she got a job at Holy Cross Shared Services and Holy Cross Resources. In 1998 she gave assistance in the Convent library. When she was no longer able to serve there, she focused her time on prayer and visiting the sisters.
Sister Aloysia Marie had a zest for life and never stopped growing. She was interested in everything and kept up with news. She was a very spiritual person and continued to deepen her relationship with God throughout her life. Sister Judith Anne Beattie kept her supplied with spiritual books. Henry Nouwen was a favorite.
Her eyes often twinkled and her clever Irish wit could light up any room. She had a great sense of humor and liked to tease. Her beautiful smile was engaging.
Family was very important to her. She had five brothers and five sisters. Two of her sisters, Maria Gemma and Miriam Gertrude, as well as two aunts were members of the Congregation and her brother, Michael became a Holy Cross priest. It was their lives that influenced her choice of what community to enter. Another brother, James, was a diocesan priest.
Sister Aloysia Marie’s life influenced many people. Many former students attribute their success in life to her push to make them learn.
When asked what the most important things in her life were, she said God, family, Holy Cross and teaching English.
Now she is with the God she loved.
Funeral arrangements for Sister Aloysia Marie are as follows: Reception of the body and wake on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at 4 p.m. The Mass of the Resurrection will take place on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. All of these ceremonies will take place in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto.
Sister Aloysia Marie lived her 102 years, 83 in religious life, to the full. She began what would be a 54-year teaching career in various elementary schools in mid-western states. She served as principal and superior in many places, but her true love was teaching English. She was good at it and the children really learned their grammar and many other lessons.
She was a no nonsense person and was an excellent disciplinarian. She was often referred to as “Big Al” At times she could seem gruff, but those who really knew her saw the loving person underneath. Often students feared her but soon discovered her care for them. Sister John Margaret Dietzen who was principal at Holy Cross Grade School in South Bend, tells of a class that feared having Sister Aloysia Marie as a teacher, but by the time the school year ended, they asked if they could be in her home room when they were in eighth grade.
When her formal teaching days came to an end, she served as a receptionist at Moreau Seminary and then enjoyed a well-deserved sabbatical at Saint Catherine-by-the-Sea in Ventura, California. From there she got a job at Holy Cross Shared Services and Holy Cross Resources. In 1998 she gave assistance in the Convent library. When she was no longer able to serve there, she focused her time on prayer and visiting the sisters.
Sister Aloysia Marie had a zest for life and never stopped growing. She was interested in everything and kept up with news. She was a very spiritual person and continued to deepen her relationship with God throughout her life. Sister Judith Anne Beattie kept her supplied with spiritual books. Henry Nouwen was a favorite.
Her eyes often twinkled and her clever Irish wit could light up any room. She had a great sense of humor and liked to tease. Her beautiful smile was engaging.
Family was very important to her. She had five brothers and five sisters. Two of her sisters, Maria Gemma and Miriam Gertrude, as well as two aunts were members of the Congregation and her brother, Michael became a Holy Cross priest. It was their lives that influenced her choice of what community to enter. Another brother, James, was a diocesan priest.
Sister Aloysia Marie’s life influenced many people. Many former students attribute their success in life to her push to make them learn.
When asked what the most important things in her life were, she said God, family, Holy Cross and teaching English.
Now she is with the God she loved.
Funeral arrangements for Sister Aloysia Marie are as follows: Reception of the body and wake on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at 4 p.m. The Mass of the Resurrection will take place on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. All of these ceremonies will take place in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto.