Jubilarians

Sister Ann Marie Lostoski was raised in Cleveland, OH, and entered the community in 1957 at the same time as her twin, Mary Ann. Sister Ann Marie earned a BA in Education at Mercy College (now Carlow University), as well as additional certifications at Duquesne University. Sister Ann Marie has had a long and varied career in education ministry that included teaching in Catholic elementary schools in Bethel Park, PA, Philadelphia, PA, Grand Rapids, MI, West Mifflin, PA, and Elizabeth, NJ, where she served for nearly a decade, her longest education assignment. After retiring from teaching, Sister continued to serve in Catholic schools in food service. In 2005, Sister Ann Marie was called to senior care and served more than 15 years at Comfort Keepers as a companion for seniors.

Sister Mary Ann Lostoski grew up in Cleveland, OH and entered the community in 1957 with her twin, Anne Marie. As a member of the congregation, Sister Mary Ann continued her education, earning a B.Ed. and M.Ed. at Duquesne University. She served many years in education and school administration, including teaching assignments in Catholic elementary schools in Rochester, NY, Coopersville, MI (One of her pupils was our Sister Althea Anne Spencer.), Mahanoy City PA, Moon Run PA, Cleveland OH , and Elizabeth, NJ. She also served as principal at Mt. St. Peter in New Kensington, PA, Holy Trinity in Moon Run, PA, Saints Peter and Paul in Beaver, PA, St. Clare of Assisi in Clairton, PA and St. Joan of Arc in South Park, PA. In the 2000s, Sister Mary Ann served in leadership as a USA Provincial Councilor and as co-coordinator of Assisi Hall, the former residence for senior and infirm members in the USA. A gifted fund raiser, Sister has served as liaison to the Pittsburgh Auxiliary and organizes our February and October Raffles.

Sister Margaret (Peg) Markey was raised in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, where she attended St. Bernard School and St. Francis Academy. She entered the Community in September 1957 and earned a B.S. and M.S. in Education from Duquesne University, as well as a B.A. in Liturgical Music. For more than 18 years, Sister Peg served in education ministry, which included teaching assignments at St. George in Philadelphia, St. Francis Academy and other Catholic schools in the Pittsburgh area. Providence then called her to other ministries including chaplain at the Youth Development Center in Waynesburg, PA and a case worker at Covenant House – a crisis shelter for youth in New York City. In the 1990’s, she joyfully served as a foster parent at Casa de Esperanza which cared for children suffering from the AIDS epidemic in Houston TX. In the 2000s, Sister Peg also served as a member of the congregational leadership team for eight years. She then volunteered at Beatitude House, which provides supportive housing and other services for disadvantaged women and children in Youngstown, OH. Presently, she serves as an archivist and assists with planning liturgies and funerals, as well as other administrative needs of the community.

Sister Antonina Ferreira was orphaned at a very young age and raised by the Cenacle Sisters, who introduced her to our congregation. She attended St. Michael the Archangel Franciscan School. She served in education, as well as prepared many First Communion groups. Her Pastoral ministry included serving in our missions in the northeast of Brazil. Sister Antonina currently resides in our Recanto Paz e Bem Community.

Sister Ruth Maria Ratkevicius grew up in a Lithuanian neighborhood in Vila Zelina, São Paulo and attended St. Michael the Archangel Franciscan School. She served as a teacher and helped coordinate CEFEPAL – the Franciscan formation course. She also served in our Lithuania mission and spent time in the United States engaged in various ministries. Sister Ruth Maria currently resides in our Recanto Paz e Bem Community, where her ministry includes caring for the garden.

Sister Maria da Glória de Souza grew up in Vila Zelina in São Paulo, Brazil with her family home on the same street as our Sisters’ convent. She attended St. Joseph Parish School where our Sisters served, and our St. Michael the Archangel Franciscan School before joining the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God in July 1957. Much of her ministry has focused on St. Pius XII Franciscan School, including 25 years serving as school administrator and subsequent years serving in administrative and finance positions. In 1996, Sister was elected to leadership and served on the General Council, whose offices were in the United States. This was the first time that a Brazilian-born Sister was elected to general leadership. Upon returning to Brazil, Sister Glória resumed her ministry at Pius XII Franciscan School, as well as served in provincial leadership for several years.

Sister Eliana da Silva was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, where she entered the community in 1962. She joined Sisters in the United States in 1979 to serve in the motherhouse infirmary and later cared for infants at our Franciscan Day Care Center as a Group Supervisor. In 1995, she moved to Danbury, CT, assuming the position of pastoral minister at St. Peter’s Church, which included ministering to the local Brazilian community. She returned to Pittsburgh in 2004, and served as a certified nurse assistant at Marian Manor in the city’s North Hills prior to being appointed as co-community life minister at Assisi Hall, our former residence for senior and infirm Sisters. Today, she continues to care for our senior Sisters living at Presbyterian SeniorCare and Baptist Homes, which includes regular visits where she is attentive to our Sisters’ needs and ensures that they are receiving the best care possible. She also uses her sewing talents to mend clothing and create items for our Sisters.

Sister Amélia Corsino de Oliveira was born in Minas Gerais, Brazil. She attended our St. Michael the Archangel Franciscan School, as well as completed the Magisterium, which trains elementary school teachers. In her early religious life she engaged in education ministry serving young children, including preparing them for their First Communion. Sister Amélia was later called to pastoral ministries, which reflect her deep love for the poor, whom she serves with great love and affection. She served in leadership and as Formation Director, as well as in pastoral ministry in missions outside of São Paulo. She also engaged in leadership training, a ministry she continues to this day. Sister Amélia currently serves in Itinga, Minas Gerais, which is one of the poorest areas in Brazil.

Sister Helena Ângelo de Sousa was born in Ceará, northeast of Brazil. She attended our St. Michael the Archangel Franciscan School and entered the Congregation at age 27. She served many years in education ministry at St. Michael the Archangel Franciscan School, and prepared many young children for First Communion. Within our Community, she is also known for being blessed with a beautiful singing voice

Sister Elisa Tanaka grew up in São Paulo. She is our only Sister of Japanese heritage. Her ministry included many years assisting with clerical duties at several of our schools in Brazil. Sister Elisa currently resides in our Recanto Paz e Bem Community, where her ministry includes caring for the neighborhood birds.