About Us In Memoriam From the founding of the new Holy Family Province in May 2007 through the present day, we have entrusted the souls of these sisters to new life in the Lord. We remember their contributions to our community and our ministries, and we pray they are enjoying their place at the heavenly banquet. 
 Sr. M. Leonard Kania
Sept. 21, 1921 — February 25, 2010
Long-time elementary school teacher and die-hard Cubs fan, Sr. M. Leonard (Adeline)Kania was a Chicago native who grew up in St. Hyacinth Parish on the city’s northwest side. Taught by the CSFNs at St. Hyacinth, Adeline joined the community in 1938 and graduated from Holy Family Academy, Chicago, in 1939. She earned a bachelor''s in philosophy from DePaul University.
Sr. Leonard began her 65-year teaching career in 1941, teaching primary grades at St. Blase in Argo, IL. She taught youngsters at Holy Trinity and St. Ladislaus, Chicago; St. Michael on South Shore Boulevard; St. Valentine, Cicero; St. Emily, Mt. Prospect, and St. Patricia, Hickory Hills, all in Illinois.
Sr. Leonard spent almost 30 years at St. Patricia’s, 18 years as a 1st-grade teacher and 12 years as a part-time math lab instructor. She particularly enjoyed one of the many benefits of her tenure there – the opportunity to teach the children of her former students. When she was transferred, parishioners packed the church for Sr. Leonard’s farewell mass.
Sr. Leonard was known for her devotion to Mary, for her love of her students and of teaching, and for her kindness to all she encountered. She worked for many principals; one described her as follows: "Good teachers explain, superior teachers demonstrate and great teachers inspire. Sr. Leonard was all three."
In addition to teaching, community life and the Cubs, Sr. Leonard was devoted to her family, including her surviving sister, Bernadette, and many nieces and nephews.
In 2006, Sr. Leonard transitioned from part-time teaching to retirement to Nazarethville, Des Plaines. She remained active, helping out whenever possible, including brief stints on the switchboard to afford the receptionists extra breaks.
After a brief illness, Sr. Leonard died quietly at home the morning of Feb. 25.
 Sr. M. Caritas Domagalski
July 22, 1917 — February 23, 2010
A native of Chicago’s South Side who grew up in St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Sr. M. Caritas Domagalski celebrated her diamond jubilee on 2009, 75 years as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
At that time, she traced her vocation back to the second-grade classroom of Sr. Redemptoria, who asked her 60 students to identify the evangelical virtues. Only Louise Domagalski knew the answer: poverty, chastity and obedience. “Sister replied, ‘That means you’re going to be a Sister.’ So I went home and asked my mother why Sister said that, and Mother told me those are the virtues sisters must practice. That remained with me until I entered in 1934.”
In addition to St. Michael’s, Sr. Caritas attended commercial high school for two years before joining the CSFNs; she graduated from Holy Family Academy in Chicago. She held a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from DePaul University, and took numerous courses in music, eventually playing both piano and violin. Her long career took her to many elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago, as well as to hospitals in Texas, where she served as sacristan and did office work. At Ascension/St. Susanna parish in Chicago, she served as local superior and school principal.
Sr. Caritas said the highlight of those ministerial experiences was her assignment as a local convent superior in Rome for six years. She recalled meeting Pope John Paul II for the first time during an event at Castel Gandolfo, the pope’s summer residence. As photographers were organizing a large group for a photo with the pope, Sr. Caritas was at the side of the group – but not for long. “John Paul put his hand on my neck and had me stand next to him. Over the years, I had many contacts with the Pope – I even baked him cookies. And now I am praying for his canonization.”
 Sr. Theophane Lemanska
Aug. 26, 1912 — February 12, 2010
A native of Chelsea, MA, Rose Lemanska was the fifth of nine children of Peter and Catherine Lemanska, who had emigrated from Poland. Five children, all sons, died at a young age. Of the four daughters, two – Rose and her sister Helen (Sr. M. Adeline) – joined the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
In her own words, Sr. Theophane later said she felt called to religious life as a CSFN while in 8th grade at St. Mary’s School, Worcester, MA. She and other girls would visit Sr. Akwitana’s 1st-grade classroom to observe Sister’s teaching methods. The girls also attended a weekly novena to St. Anthony , praying to become religious sisters. After graduation, five of them – including Rose – entered the CSFNs. They attended Nazareth Academy in Torresdale (Philadelphia), and served as postulants and novices there. Sr. Theophane professed her final vows in 1936.
For more than 60 years, she served as a teacher and principal in schools in Philadelphia; Long Island, Utica and Brooklyn, NY; Springfield, MA, and in several convents in Connecticut. In her own words, Sr. Theophane “taught the upper grades to love and serve God and the Church and to love one another.” Former students noted she was an excellent teacher.
Everyone who knew Sr. Theophane knew how much she cherished her family. She carried on an extensive correspondence, remembering holidays, birthdays and other family events with cards, letters and phone calls. She not only kept in close contact with her sisters, but also their children and their children’s children. When she and Sr. Adeline would visit their sister Jayne in Virginia, Sr. Theophane would enjoy playing outside with her nieces and nephews. Maybe they were not the Boston Red Sox, but we did hear she enjoyed playing baseball in her day.
In 2002, Sr. Theophane moved to the Marian Heights Infirmary in Monroe, CT. On the evening of Feb. 12, Sr. Ann Marie Keemon, director of the infirmary, had just finished praying the Rosary with Sr. Theophane and stepped out to get some water for her. In those few moments, Sr. Theophane lay back on her pillow, sighed and slipped quietly into the arms of Jesus.
 Sr. M. Eugene Mikrut
May 7, 1911 — January 14, 2010
One of five children, Rosalie Mikrut was born in the Pilsen neighborhood on Chicago’s west side. She attended St. Ann Elementary School and Holy Family Academy, Chicago, where she began to consider a vocation to religious life. She joined the CSFNs in 1927 at their convent in Des Plaines, IL.
Her teaching assignments included St. Ladislaus School(twice), St. Mary of Nazareth and St. Michael schools, all in Chicago. She spent 15 years teaching at St. Joseph School, a mission for African-American families in Chicago. In 1971, she began an assignment in Australia, teaching at St. Andrew School and serving as province treasurer. On her return to the States, she began her second tour of duty at ‘St. Lad’s.’ Her continued contact with some of her former students until her final days on earth is testimony to her impact in the classroom.
Long before she retired from teaching in 2000, Sr. Eugene assisted Sr. Angela Marie Struck in making rosary beads from dried rose petals and assembling rosaries. As Sr. Angela’s eyesight and health began to fail, she asked Sr. Eugene to take on the task. Sr. Eugene excused herself, citing the time constraints of teaching. After Sr. Angela died, Sr. Eugene had regular dreams with Sr. Angela asking her to make the rosaries. While she knew very little about making the beads from dried rose petals, Sr. Eugene learned by trial and error until she mastered the art. News of her talent reached many parts of the U.S. and the orders became too numerous for her to handle. She taught lay people the skill; one young lady continued to help Sr. Eugene with this project over the years.
In January 2000, Sr. Eugene became ill and could not continue this hobby that had become a ministry of spreading devotion to the Blessed Mother. With each rosary, Sr. Eugene set a booklet explaining the mysteries of the Rosary. Sr. Eugene’s lay volunteer and her family continued this practice on Sr. Eugene’s behalf.
In July 2000, Sr. Eugene retired to Nazarethville, where she was active until ill health required her move into nursing care. On Jan. 13 this year, two good friends – Carmen Vaughn, a former student, and Sr. Joseph Plewa, her companion of many years, kept vigil, prayed the rosary and shared fond memories of their days at St. Joseph Mission School. Sr. Eugene died quietly in her sleep the morning of Jan. 14.
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