Born to Eternal Life We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved Funeral – Friday, October 21, 2005 at 3:30 p.m.
Click here: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Obituary Notice I thank my God each time I think of you, and when I pray for you, I pray with joy. Phil 1:3 On October 19, 2005 , just as the Angelus was pealing its last note, Sister Margaretta Beyer opened her eyes, raised her arms as if in welcome, then crossed them over her heart, and went forth to meet her Bridegroom. This was, indeed, a fitting end to a life lived in the service of her Lord, Whom she loved so much. Sister Margaretta had been in declining health for the past year, and her situation had grown more serious over the past several weeks. But she exhibited no fear of death. Her departure from us was a peaceful going forth to meet her God. And, why not? What did she have to fear? Hers was a life spent in service to the people of God, and to her beloved Community. Of her it may be said that, whatever was asked of her, she did it, without questioning it, and did it to the very best of her ability. Hers was a varied ministry, ranging from teaching in her earlier years, to assignments in places as widespread as St. Louis , Missouri and Utuado, Puerto Rico . She served as principal of the high school in Utuado and later of the high school in Arecibo . She served as Academic Dean, and later as Registrar at La Roche College, and as Pastoral Minister at Passavant Hospital , adjacent to Providence Heights . She was postulant mistress at one point, and later in charge of Junior Sisters who were with her in St. Louis . She also served on the Provincial Council. In the end, when she knew she must return to Providence Heights because of advancing years and declining health, she could be found helping in the kitchen, peeling produce, and working in the Sisters' Dining Room, cleaning the tables, filling the salt and pepper shakers, and generally making things neat and clean for the other Sisters. What this says about her is that, no matter what was asked of her, she was willing to do it for the Community she loved. No task was too difficult; none was considered demeaning. She stood ready to serve. When filling out a questionnaire some years ago, she responded to the question asking what she would like people to know most about her life as a religious. She wrote: “That I loved every minute that I lived as a Sister of Divine Providence.” And she did. At every Community meeting, we could count on Sister Margaretta to stand up and publicly thank the people who had planned the meeting, and affirm their efforts. Now, we as a Community can come together to celebrate her life, and thank God for the gift she was to us. The Community meant everything to her. Now, we may be sure that she will intercede for us before the throne of God, asking for us the grace to be truly devoted Sisters of Divine Providence, ready and willing to serve the people of God and our own Sisters, in any way we can.
Feast Day: October 17 SJA
|
