Born to Eternal Life We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Following the Christmas party at Providence Heights , Sister Charlotte Gatz quietly left this earth to enter eternal glory. She did so on the great feast of the three kings. Just as the Magi followed the star in the east, she followed her star to the eternal manifestation of the Christ in glory. Born Virginia, the daughter of John and Philomena, and one of eleven siblings, among them two sets of twins, she entered the community at the age of sixteen, from St. Basil's Parish, Carrick , Pennsylvania . From her earliest years she wanted to be a teacher, and was educated at Duquesne University to do just that. She taught in many schools in the Pittsburgh area for 56 years, and was also principal in a number of places. She ministered longer in Beaver Falls (8yrs.), New Philadelphia , Ohio (6 yrs.) and Sharpsburg (9 yrs.). She was an excellent math and art teacher, and, while she was strict with her junior high students, she was also gentle when students needed a softer approach. As a principal, she is remembered for her fairness and for her support of the teachers on her staff. Her artistic endeavors were not limited to the classroom. In the convents she always had excellent taste as an interior decorator. She was also helpful to beginning teachers, particularly in terms of helping them decorate their classrooms, and also in offering them encouragement as they struggled to “learn the ropes.” In retirement she used her artistic talent in her handcraft work made for the community. Sister Charlotte was a quiet person. This was true also of her spiritual life. She was devoted to Liturgy and to private prayer. When asked about her spirituality, she said simply: “I gave myself to God and I try to live my life that way.” She encouraged others to develop their own approach to God. She leaves us in this post-Christmastime, to follow her Star, the Christ, just as the Magi and all persons of Wisdom have done before us. We ask her to help us, here on earth, to claim our star, and to bring forth the Light of Christ in this season of Light. Feastday: November 4 SMJC |
