Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to Me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs. ( Matt 19:14) Sister Therese Ruggire was born on April 8, 1918 of Italian immigrant parents. She was a native of West Virginia , and always had a warm spot in her heart for her native state. Sister Therese entered the Community in 1935, and was destined to spend the greater part of her life as a teacher. She labored at first in the primary grades, and eventually went on to receive certification to teach children with special needs. She excelled at both ministries, and her students remember her as being kind and loving. One student remembered how she would allow them to reach down, down into her pocket, a most mysterious place hidden away in miles of black serge material. And at recess time, Sister could always be counted on to use her pocketknife, which also came from the depths of that mysterious pocket, to peel their oranges or slice the apples that the little children brought for their snack. It was these little gestures that meant so much to the children; not unlike Sister Therese herself, so tiny in stature that she was not at all frightening to the children; but so large in heart and spirit that each child felt loved and cared for. She was able to make school so inviting and enticing that the children were sad to see summer come, and their beloved teacher depart for places unknown. In her later years, Sister Theresa suffered a great deal with the problems that go with severe arthritis and osteoporosis. She bore these trials as best she could, and tried to be patient with the constant pain and discomfort. We, who loved her, were saddened that her latter years were so very difficult for her. But we are assured, now that she is at peace and suffering no more, that her reward will be great, because she gave her very best to the Lord she loved so much, and sought so diligently to serve. Now, we know we can depend on Sister Therese to be an advocate for the Community before the throne of God, asking God's blessings on our members and interceding for us that we may receive many new members to carry on the work she, and those of her generation, began so bravely. May she now live in eternal peace, with the God Whom she loved so much. SJA Birthday: April 8
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