Born to Eternal Life We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved Funeral – Monday, January 15, 2007 at 3:30 p.m.
This morning, just before the morning mass began, Sister Juliann, unexpectedly and quietly, breathed her last, walking with joy and without pain into the presence of her spouse and Lord. As Sister Juliann finally entered into the freedom she had longed for, the community of sisters, many of whom had journeyed with her through the decades, were gathering in the chapel at Providence Heights . Their opening song, even before they heard of her death, expressed that joy and peace: Be the day shine for me; be the day bright; Christ my companion be; Christ be my light! The song begins, So the day dawn for me; so the day break; Christ watching over me; Christ as I wake… Our Provident God was with her as she was born in Pittsburgh and was baptized at St. Martin's Parish in West End . Sister Juliann was one of six children born to Joseph and Julianne Killmeyer. With her older sister, Marie, Juliann and her four brothers attended St. Martin 's School, where they were taught by and learned from many Sisters of Divine Providence who influenced them during their growing years and who led Juliann to realize her vocation and to commit herself to Christ. Sister Juliann, initially named Sister Herman Joseph, was viewed as an excellent educator and as a principal, who enjoyed life and was observant of the needs of others. For more than sixty years, Sister Juliann ministered to students, faculty and parents in many community schools, especially at St. Norbert's in Overbrook where she served for more than twenty years, using her gifts to meet each day's needs. She lived the words: Be the day swift for me; be the day long; Christ my contentment be; Christ be my song. Those sisters who lived with Sister Juliann, particularly in her early years, speak of her openness to and respect for each sister. She cared about them and was attentive to their needs. She is remembered by them as a sister who was happy, carefree, and loved a good party. As Sister Juliann aged, she experienced ever more pain from arthritis. Since her return to Providence Heights , she had gradually become more debilitated and she struggled daily to live with that pain. Be the day dark for me; be the day drear; Christ shall my comfort be; Christ be my song. Sister Juliann completed her earthly journey longing to rejoin those who preceded her into God's loving presence. As she heard the closing words today, she was already rejoicing in her new life: So the day close for me; so the night fall; Christ watching over me; Christ be my song! SMFF
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