Sister Mary Annina Hemczak
Born to earthly life: October 6, 1916
Religious profession: August 5, 1936
Entered eternal life: January 13, 2009
Sophie, daughter of John and Lucy Hemczak, was the third of eight children. She was 13 when they were left fatherless by an industrial accident. She had been considering religious life, but felt that she would now have to remain at home to help support the family.
When she finally told her mother of her dilemma, she was surprised by her mother's tears ofjoy. (Mrs. Hemczak had wanted to be a sister herself, but her family could not afford the dowry.) Sophie entered SSND a month before her 15th birthday, became Novice Mary Annina in 1935, and was professed a year later.
Sister summed up her teaching career of 50 years in one paragraph: "... St. Aloysius, West Allis; Holy Cross, Milwaukee; St. Malachy, Horicon (7th and 8th grades and principal). I taught at West Catholic High School, Grand Rapids; on Guam at San Vicente, Barrigada; Mount Carmel, Agat; and at St. Joseph, Wauwatosa." Her last teaching assignment [1975-1985] was serving as principal at her home parish, St. Stanislaus, Michigan City, Indiana.
Her talents and skills as a classroom teacher were well recognized and she was often called upon to share her methods and techniques with beginning teachers.
In 1985, Sister Annina came to Marshall Street for "community service." This meant cook, switchboard operator, laundress, general housekeeper, local leader, and general helper. In 1996, she retired to Elm Grove.
The youngest participant in the Nun Study, she appeared on the Phil Donahue Show and earned a mention in Dr. David Snowdon's book, Aging With Grace. She had a remarkable ability to remember facts, names, and faces; to conquer Scrabble, word games, and crossword puzzles; and' to spell and proofread with a high degree of proficiency. An avid Bingo player, she also loved sports and used a "Packer Rosary" even during her last days.
According to her autobiography, she realized in retrospect that her life was divided into three phases: 1) being a good teacher; 2) being a religious who happened to be a teacher; and 3) believing she, as well as every believer, was being called to be a contemplative and ''to keep my eyes focused on Jesus."
During her final days, she expressed her love for her family and SSND sisters, her acceptance of what was to come, and her sense of peace. Her Mass of Christian Burial was concelebrated by Fathers Russ Tikalsky and Edward Griesemer, SCJ.
– Sister Benilda Dix
Sister Annina served for over 50 years as a teacher and administrator. In later years, she worked at the SSND provincial offices and Notre Dame of Elm Grove as local leader, and also provided administrative and support services. In 1996, she retired to Notre Dame of Elm Grove where she ministered through her prayers and presence.
Sister Annina's ministry locations were:
- St. Aloysius, West Allis, Wisconsin
- Holy Cross, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- St. Malachy, Horicon, Wisconsin
- West Catholic High, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- San Vicente, Barrigada, Guam
- Mt. Carmel, Agat, Guam
- St. Joseph, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
- West Catholic High, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- St. Stanislaus, Michigan City, Indiana
- SSND Provincial Offices, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wisconsin
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