Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill
2025 JUBILARIANS
Sister M. Philomena Mannion, SC
80th Jubilee
Sister M. Philomena Mannion, SC, celebrates her 80th Jubilee as a Sister of Charity, marking a lifetime of service to education and pastoral care.
Entering the community in 1945 from St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Homestead, she spent 44 transformative years at The DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, where she served as teacher, principal, and eventually director. Under her visionary leadership, DePaul transitioned from a residential to a day school, broadened early intervention services, and pioneered programming for children with cochlear implants. She helped establish DePaul as a Magnet School for Hearing Loss, expanding its impact across disciplines including speech, language, audiology, and therapy services.
Sister Philomena holds degrees from Wayne State University and The Catholic University of America. Since 1997, she has continued her ministry as a chaplain at Country Meadows Retirement Communities in Bridgeville. Known for her humility and dedication, she received the 2007 DePaul School Star Award, one of many honors recognizing her lifelong commitment to empowering others through faith, service, and education.
Sister M. Ellenita O’Connor, SC
80th Jubilee
Sister M. Ellenita O’Connor, SC, celebrates her 80th Jubilee as a Sister of Charity of Seton Hill, marking eight decades of faith-filled service in education, administration, and social outreach.
Entering the congregation in 1945 from Holy Cross Parish in Pittsburgh’s South Side, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Seton Hill University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Sister taught in the Pittsburgh and Greensburg dioceses and the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and served nine years as principal of Elizabeth Seton High School in Brookline.
After 1976, she held key leadership roles as planning director and treasurer of the congregation. Sister Ellenita played a pivotal role in the construction of Caritas Christi, serving as project manager and consultant.
In the early 1990s she managed Saint Joseph House of Hospitality, a ministry to the unhoused in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. Her service was recognized by Mayor Sophie Masloff, who appointed her to the Pittsburgh Housing Authority Board. Her leadership and compassion have left an enduring mark on both her community and city.
Sister Mary Edmund Speer, SC
80th Jubilee
Sister Mary Edmund Speer, SC, joyfully celebrates 80 years of religious life as a Sister of Charity of Seton Hill. A native of Butler, Pa., she entered the community in 1945 from Saint Paul Parish.
With a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Seton Hill University and a master’s in chemistry from Xavier University, Sister Mary Edmund dedicated decades to teaching in the dioceses of Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg, and Pittsburgh.
In 1980, she began a long and impactful dual ministry at Butler Catholic School and Saint Paul Parish, eventually serving full-time as a pastoral minister until 2010. Her 31 years of service to the Butler community were recognized with the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s Manifesting the Kingdom Award and the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the Rotary Club of Butler County.
Now retired at Caritas Christi, Sister Mary Edmund is remembered for her years of service, including time spent assisting in the mailroom and welcoming visitors at the reception desk. Her life continues to shine as a witness of faith, humility, and devotion.
Sister Agnes Steedle, SC
80th Jubilee
Sister Agnes Steedle, SC, is celebrating 80 years of devoted religious life as a Sister of Charity of Seton Hill. A Pittsburgh native, she entered the congregation in 1945 from Holy Innocents Parish in Sheraden.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and Spanish from Seton Hill University, a master’s degree in sciences from Purdue University, and a master’s in theology from Saint Mary’s University in Texas.
Over the decades, she ministered in Catholic schools across the country — serving in the dioceses of Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, and Tucson — as a teacher, principal, and director of religious education.
In 1998, she became the attendance officer at Greensburg Central Catholic High School, a position she held until her retirement. Even after retiring from active ministry, Sister Agnes generously volunteered at Jeannette District Memorial Hospital and in the administrative offices of the congregation.
Now fully retired, she remains a beloved presence in the community at Caritas Christi, where her lifelong dedication continues to be an inspiration.
Sister Mary Philip Aaron, SC
75th Jubilee
Sister Mary Philip Aaron, SC, is celebrating her 75th Jubilee — a remarkable milestone honoring a lifetime of faithful service, compassion, and commitment to those in need.
Entering the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in the “Holy Year” of 1950, Sister Mary Philip began her ministry in Catholic education, teaching high school science and later serving in administration. Her call to serve soon expanded into social work, beginning with her role managing a government-subsidized apartment building for low-income seniors.
She later joined Rendu Services, a collaborative ministry among three communities of Sisters of Charity, where she served underserved and unemployed families in rural Western Pennsylvania. Providing food, clothing, social activities, and access to healthcare through a mobile medical van, her ministry reflected the spirit of Blessed Rosalie Rendu and St. Vincent de Paul. Sister Mary Philip also spent three years in Korea teaching English conversation at St. Joseph High School in Gangjin.
Her 75 years as a Sister of Charity stand as a testament to a life lived in service, solidarity, and deep faith.
Sister Gemma Del Duca, SC
75th Jubilee
Sister Gemma Del Duca, SC, celebrates her 75th Jubilee with deep gratitude for a lifetime shaped by faith, scholarship, and a profound call to interreligious understanding.
Born in Greensburg, Pa., her early fascination with the Jewish roots of Jesus became a guiding force in her vocation. After entering the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in the Holy Year of 1950, Sister Gemma was sent to study theology in Rome, an experience that deepened her appreciation for the Church’s universality. She later earned a graduate degree in New Mexico before joining the faculty of Seton Hill University.
Her lifelong commitment to Jewish-Christian dialogue led her to spend 25 years living and ministering in Israel, helping to found the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education at Seton Hill University.
Now residing at Caritas Christi, Sister Gemma remains rooted in prayer, education, and the mission of building bridges of understanding.
Sister Mary Alma Vandervest, SC
75th Jubilee
Sister Mary Alma Vandervest, SC, celebrates 75 years of religious life as a Sister of Charity of Seton Hill. A native of Saint Paul, Minn., she entered the congregation in 1950 from Queen of Peace Parish in Madison, Wisconsin.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Seton Hill University, a master’s in library science from the University of Pittsburgh, and advanced certificates in information science and archival studies.
Sister Mary Alma taught in schools in the dioceses of Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and Tucson before transitioning to library and computer services. She served at Sacred Heart and Geibel High Schools, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Phoenix, Cathedral School in Greensburg, and Elizabeth Seton Center in Pittsburgh.
In 1989, she was appointed archivist for Seton Hill University, a role she held with dedication until retiring in 2011. She later volunteered with Westmoreland County Historical Society.
Now retired at Caritas Christi, Sister Mary Alma remains a quiet and reflective presence, never far from a good book and inspired by the calm wisdom of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Other 2025
Milestones
Sister Mary Victor Powers, SC
70th Jubilee
Sister Mary Elizabeth Schrei, SC
70th Jubilee
Sister Mary Lucilla Wertz, SC
70th Jubilee
Sister Mary Ann Winters, SC
70th Jubilee