Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden
2024 JUBILARIANS
Sister Ann Francis Hanley, CSJ
70th Jubilee
“Look for the good and you will find it,” Sister Ann Francis Hanley says, recalling the joy of encountering “so many wonderful people” through her ministries of education, counseling, and social services.
A joyful soul who “loves people, loves to laugh, and loves the Mass,” her warmth, compassion, and radiant love were a gift to those receiving a helping hand in hard times at Pittsburgh’s Jubilee Kitchen, where she served for 12 years in adult education and career development.
Before entering social services, Sister Ann Francis spent a decade teaching elementary school students in the Pittsburgh Diocese and, later, served for seven years as principal at St. Peter in Somerset, Pa., and at Annunciation in Pittsburgh. A public school student herself, she made a point to go to Mass every day before school. Sister Ann Francis also served in congregational leadership for six years.
“It’s amazing to me, the beauty of life and what God brings to you,” she says, reflecting on the blessings of life in community. “One life goes fast, but it is fun.”
Sister Nancy Hupert, CSJ
70th Jubilee
“I was always very grateful for being a twin,” Sister Nancy (Thomas) Hupert says, smiling at a photo of the 20 sets of twins surrounding herself and her sister Carolyn at St. Bernard’s school in Mt. Lebanon, where she began her ministry.
An Altoona native, Sister Nancy spent 19 years teaching elementary school students before taking on the role of principal at St. Thomas More in Bethel Park and St. Bernard. In 1992, Sister Nancy began a new 26-year ministry in health care, serving as vice president and, later, consultant to the South Hills Health System, now AHN Jefferson. “It was a privilege to be there,” she recalls, “being able to visit patients and help their families” through difficult times.
Attentive, caring, and compassionate, Sister Nancy nurtured relationships with hospital employees and volunteers, learning each one’s name and recognizing them for their service and contributions. Grateful for the opportunity to “live our charism” through her ministries, Sister Nancy believes the key to a meaningful life is “to use God’s gifts in helping others.”
Sister Ada McMahon, CSJ
70th Jubilee
“You never know how you affect people,” Sister Ada (Paul) McMahon says, recalling a note from a former student thanking her for helping him to love education, which became his profession.
As a high school teacher who served for nearly 20 years in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg, Sister Ada brought the natural curiosity that sparked her love of science as a child into the classroom. “I just loved the people, the kids, the parents,” she recalls. Serving alongside her co-principal, Sister Barbara Balog, Sister Ada took on an administrator role at Holy Rosary in Perrine, Fla., for 13 years before returning to Western Pennsylvania in 1990 to work in supportive housing for older adults.
“I do what I can to make their life easier,” she says. “Sometimes, it’s just listening, trying to spread the peace that we need.” Compassionate, curious, and genuine, Sister Ada relishes the chance “to love everyone and know that they are God’s creatures and that whatever we do, we’re doing in conjunction with His will and His plan.”
Sister Margaret Ann Parrish, CSJ
70th Jubilee
Serving as a teacher in the segregated South shifted the course of Sister Margaret Ann Parrish’s life. “I loved the kids and loved being around them,” she says, “but I could tell that, emotionally, they needed more help than I could give them,” in reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Seeing young people carry the burdens and trauma of racism into her classroom at St. Paul of the Cross in Atlanta, Ga., sparked a desire in Sister Meg to care for the psychological needs of our dear neighbors. Returning to Pittsburgh, she pursued a master’s degree in counseling and spent the next 15 years as guidance counselor and pastoral minister, first at St. Bernard and St. Mary of the Mount and, later, at Kane Regional Center and St. John in Uniontown.
In 1988, she became associate director of Christian Brothers Spirituality Center in Adamstown, Md., and continued to provide spiritual direction, both in Maryland and in Baden, through 2020. Gentle, kind, and knowledgeable, Sister Meg finds joy in God’s love and in affirming the good in others.
Sister Dolores Partsch, CSJ
70th Jubilee
“I always wanted to be a teacher,” Sister Dolores (Immaculate) Partsch says, citing her Mom, Mary, as her inspiration and, later, Sister Ruth Colaianne, “God’s gift to the universe,” and her seventh grade teacher. She recalls helping educate her siblings as a child and being profoundly influenced by the joyfulness of the Catholic Sisters who taught her in elementary school.
After beginning her ministry in education in 1957 at Annunciation in Pittsburgh, Sister Dolores served for three decades as a teacher and principal in the Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Altoona-Johnstown dioceses before transitioning into pastoral care in 1987.
Focusing on the spiritual formation of adults, with a desire “to help them come to know Jesus as a person,” Sister Dolores delighted in forming new friendships during her time in the South (1993-2001) where she served in Parsons, Tenn., and Iuka, Miss. She’s grateful for the love and support of her family, who gave her “a lot of strength and encouragement” and for the chance “to live out our charism by being a woman of service.”
Sister Patricia Rossi, CSJ
70th Jubilee
“I think being a Christian means that you open your heart and soul to everybody you meet,” says Sister Patti (Marie Dominic) Rossi, reflecting on experiences as a missionary. Sister Patti spent 15 years working to reduce poverty and disease in a remote jungle village in Brazil where she gained a “sense of simplicity” and “tenderness” by facing joys and challenges alongside the indigenous people. “As a new missionary, I thought I was going to convert the world, but the world converted and changed me,” she says.
She served as parish minister at St. Veronica in Ambridge before embarking on a nine-year mission in Jamaica, where she trained teachers. She later continued her passion for children and families in developing countries as associate director of the Altoona-Johnstown Mission Office.
Whether offering supplies in Haiti or welcoming asylum seekers in Texas, Sister Patti is “completely available” to the dear neighbor. She volunteers teaching English as a Second Language and helps at Sandyvale Greenhouse, St. Vincent de Paul, and Mom’s House childcare center, where she’s known as “Grandma-Sister.”
Sister Mary Ann Siedlarczyk, CSJ
70th Jubilee
With a gentle heart, Sister Mary Ann (William Mary) Siedlarczyk brought out the shining light in students, emotionally challenged children, and seniors alike. “Sometimes, talking and listening is all that they need,” she would often say.
Sister Mary Ann served 16 years as a teacher or librarian in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Altoona-Johnstown and 18 years in administrative support in schools, colleges, and care facilities.
Her longest ministry (2002-2016) was at Clairvaux Commons, a senior living community in Indiana, Pa., where she helped out wherever needed. She assisted in office tasks, engaged residents to be neighbors to one another, and stirred up laughter with her humor.
In recent years, Sister Mary Ann’s constant companion was Muffin, a fluffy white therapy dog who brought joy and comfort to the retired Sisters. Profoundly moved by the power of prayer, Sister Mary Ann often told how she survived a life-threatening car accident in 1999, and, contrary to dire medical predictions, she was able to walk again.
“I believe that experience brought me closer to God,” she recalled.
Sister Norma Zanieski, CSJ
70th Jubilee
“There is a definite need to welcome people into our homes, our institutions, our community, and accept them with all the gifts they have,” says Sister Norma (Marie William) Zanieski, congregational minister of hospitality.
Sister Norma ministered in education for 53 years, teaching at schools in the Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and Altoona-Johnstown Dioceses. She loved to see students grow, both academically and in their faith.
“Don’t be afraid to ask God for what you need or what may bother you. God will give you the answer. It may not be what you want, but it will give you some help and direction.”
A caring administrator, Sister Norma was principal of Holy Name in Ebensburg, Blessed Sacrament in Natrona Heights, and Saints Simon& Jude in Pittsburgh. She also enjoyed being principal at her alma mater, Mount Gallitzin Academy in Baden, and previously served as congregational minister of community life
Sister Sarah Crotty, CSJ
25th Jubilee
Facing a culture torn by division, Sister Sarah Crotty sees her role as community outreach coordinator as “the perfect canvas to express our charism of unity —to build relationships” and bring people together to create a better world.
Her journey into religious life began in service, through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, where she experienced life in community as the “hardest” and “most rewarding” thing she’s done. Seeking a community of faithful people of which to be part, Sister Sarah connected with Sister Paula Drass for spiritual direction and laughs that “God just ushered me along.”
Bringing her gifts of patience, presence, and compassion to bear as a social worker, Sister Sarah has supported older adults through aging-related transitions at LIFE Beaver and helped families experiencing poverty, mental health crises, and housing instability at Focus on Renewal, where she served as associate director for 11 years.
Infused in every outreach and partnership she helps the congregation form is the “joyful, life-giving, and energizing” spirit she’s discovered from life in community, where everything “is an occasion of grace.”
Other Milestones
Sister Roseann Gaul, SCJ
65 Years
Sister Carolyn Bodenschatz, CSJ
60 Years
Sister Remigia Kushner, SCJ
65 Years
Sister Paul Drass, CSJ
60 Years
Sister Dolores Montini, SCJ
65 Years
Sister Jean Stoltz, CSJ
60 Years
Sister Patricia Phillips, CSJ
65 Years
Sister Carol Ann Ziecina, CSJ
60 Years