Sisters of Mercy
Community of New York Pennsylvania West | 2021 JUBILARIANS
Sister Marie Celine Coan, RSM
75th Jubilee
The autobiographical shadow box outside Sister Marie Celine’s room at the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse has a great intro: “I was born dead.” This is literally true. She was resuscitated at birth, 94 years ago. What a way to begin life! And what a life she’s lived!
Marie Celine first met the Sisters of Mercy as a student at St. Xavier Academy in Latrobe, and she cherishes those memories. An educator at heart, she loved teaching first and second grade children at St. Colman, St. Peter (North Side), and Epiphany. She remembers the expressions of awe on children’s faces when they realized that they understood something, and she loved preparing them for First Communion.
Called to the State of Indiana to care for family who were ill, she engaged in pastoral care at the local Mercy Hospital, and in some nursing homes. This became her fulltime ministry when she returned to Pittsburgh, serving in Parish Social Services at St. Colman, Turtle Creek until 1994, and at Mercy Senior Care: St. Joseph’s until 2002.
Today, Marie Celine is faithful to her ministry of prayer. Thanks to the folks who saved her life!
Sister Ann Driscoll, RSM
75th Jubilee
Sister Ann Driscoll remarked: “I had never, in any way, considered a life of Ministry. We didn’t even have Sisters in my small town!” That changed when she attended Mercy School of Nursing. She and another student in her class, Mary Ann Karas, entered the Sisters of Mercy on the same day.
For the first 23 years, Sister Ann — formerly Sister M. Annunciata — taught in various schools throughout the dioceses of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and San Juan Puerto Rico. In 1967, she traveled to a mission in Peru, newly established by the Diocese of Pittsburgh. With four months of immersive language training in Lima, she went on to Chimbote, a radically poor fishing village, 280 miles north, along the Pacific Coast. Sister Ann served in Chimbote for 18 years, teaching math, organizing choirs, playing the organ, and visiting people in their homes. “It was the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said.
Upon return to Pittsburgh, Sister Ann was Director of Religious Education in Pittsburgh diocesan schools. At the age of 65, she embarked on yet another new ministry, becoming chaplain at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“My time in Puerto Rico, Peru, and a brief sabbatical in Guatemala was a gift, life-changing experiences that widened my world view.
Today, she brings those rich life experiences to her ministry of prayer.
Sister Ann Hostovich, RSM
75th Jubilee
Sister Ann Hostovich entered the Sisters of Mercy from St. Vincent Parish in Latrobe, Pa. From 1946 until 1993, she served in education as a teacher, guidance counselor and principal in numerous schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and in the Archdiocese of Miami, Fla.
Upon retiring from education, Sister Ann — formerly Sister M. Antoinette — moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where she worked at Holy Cross Hospital in the Public Relations and Spiritual Care departments. When she returned to Pittsburgh, she volunteered in the community archives and other areas of the motherhouse.
Today, she embraces the ministry of prayer.
Sister Mary Ann Karas, RSM
75th Jubilee
Sister Mary Ann grew up in Derry, Pa., not knowing the Sisters of Mercy. She attended a traditional, public high school, and in the afternoons, she went to business school. At some point, she worked at Mercy Hospital where someone asked her “Why don’t you try nursing?” So, she did — at the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. She didn’t finish, however, because she joined the Sisters of Mercy.
Sister Mary Ann became a teacher and a principal, serving more than 40 years in education. A wholistic approach to parents, students, and teachers connected her to them — so much so that she still hears from some of them.
Sister Mary Ann — formerly Sister M. Zachary — retired from teaching in 1990. After a two-year hiatus, she served as director of environmental services at the Motherhouse. It was a time of drastic change. Retired Sisters were living at Mercy Hospital during the construction of a new infirmary, Mercy Hall. Sister Mary Ann worked with Sisters and staff to create a smooth transition to the new living quarters.
“Whatever she did,” a friend commented, “she did with her whole heart and soul.”
Today, Sister Mary Ann brings that same approach to her ministry of prayer.