school sisters of st. francis
2020 JUBILARIANS
Sister Carol Ann
Papp, OSF
50th Jubilee
A native of Bethlehem, Pa., Sister Carol Ann is the daughter of the late Zoltan and Caroline Papp. The Daughters of Divine Charity who taught her in elementary school were her earliest influences in pursuing religious life. Later, in high school, she was drawn to Franciscan spirituality by members of the School Sisters of St. Francis who taught her at St. Francis Academy in Bethlehem, Pa.
Sister entered the community in 1968, made first vows in 1970 and professed final vows in 1977. She has taught in Catholic schools in eastern Pennsylvania and served as director of the former St. Francis Child Care Center in Bethlehem from 1996 to 2000. In 2002, Sister began a 13-year tenure as principal of St. Irenaeus Catholic School in Oakmont, Pa.
With an affinity for art and travel, she was awarded Fulbright Scholarships in 2006 and 2007 to study the education systems in Japan and South Korea. “As a principal and teacher, one learns, like Jesus, to attend to the needs of others,” says Sister Carol Ann. “We are representing Jesus Christ and strengthening those around us through our own human interaction. The teaching ministry is a celebration of life and love!”
A 2014 recipient of the Diocese of Pittsburgh Golden Apple Award for educators, Sister Carol Ann currently teaches Art and Religion at Northside Catholic Assumption Academy in Pittsburgh and serves as Peace & Justice coordinator for the United States Province.
Sister Gracy
Kundukulam, OSF
25th Jubilee
Sister Gracy’s infectious smile and endless energy came to the School Sisters of St. Francis by way of the international congregation’s Region of India. Inspired by Sisters she saw offering Communion to sick patients at hospitals in her native Kerala, India, she entered religious life in 1990, made first vows in 1995 and final vows in 2000.
A self-described happy but somewhat shy person, Sister spent nearly 10 years at the order’s international headquarters in Rome, Italy, completing her formation, attending nursing school and serving in the congregation’s health clinic there.
In 2001, she came to the U.S. to minister as a nurse at the former Marian Hall Home in Pittsburgh, Pa. It was there that Sister Gracy felt called to become a permanent member of the U.S. Province in 2016 to serve, in part, as a caregiver to the community’s elder Sisters.
An avid gardener who also loves to cook, Sister Gracy develops care plans for the elderly at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh and collaborates with other Sisters on decorating the chapel there for special observances.
Other 2020 Milestones
Click on the names of the Sisters below to link to additional information on their community website.
70 Years
Sister Anita Kuchera, OSF
Sister Margaret Elaine Rovnak, OSF
65 Years
Sister Rosemarie Bartnicki, OSF
Sister Rosalia Giba, OSF
Sister Elaine Hromulak, OSF
60 Years
Sister Jo Goolish, OSF
Sister Jeanne Marie Ulica, OSF