Born to Eternal Life We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved Funeral – Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 10:30 a.m.
“When I was with them I protected them in your name…, and I guarded them , and none of them was lost, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you…” (John 17 Gospel for May 11 th ) Sister Mary Austin, born Regina Pagendarm, one of eight siblings born to Mary and August Pagendarm, is truly a Wheeling , West Virginia devotee. She attended St. Alphonsus School at a time when her family was prominent in the parish there. She entered the community in Pittsburgh when she was nineteen years old. Following completion of her formation program, she completed her studies at Duquesne University in elementary education. Initially, she ministered in a number of schools in the Pittsburgh and Greensburg Diocese. Sister was also a pioneer for our new Province, in that she spent a year at the Orleans , MA parish, engaged in catechetical work. There is no question, however, that her true ministerial call was back to the place of her birth. In 1959 she returned to St. Alphonsus, Wheeling, to teach in the primary department for six years. Later, she returned for 17 years and remained even after the Wheeling Catholic Consolidation occurred. When she left Wheeling , a letter from the President of the School Board acknowledged her contribution there as follows: “Sister Mary Austin's true dedication to the teaching of our children will be a great loss to all of us at WCCS. She has touched the hearts of us all for so many years.” She was dearly loved in Wheeling , but as she returned to Providence Heights and joined the retirement community, she was also a gift. She approached life in the community with the same zest, peacefulness and presence that was the hallmark of her relationship with her children. Perhaps her smiling countenance was partially the result of a “sweet tooth”. After her last surgery, in response to the question, “How much candy do you need to deal with the pain?” she humorously replied, “More than anyone could ever provide.” Sister Mary Austin participated in community prayer and liturgical life to the fullest extent of her capability to do so. Her primary devotion was to the heart of Jesus. She now returns to the heart of God, claiming that she has protected and guarded God's little ones and has been cheerfully faithful to her commitment to Providence for almost a century. SMJC |
