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Community of Immaculate Conception or “Blue Sisters”

Father Felix Zwiardowski founded a new community of sisters in Panna Maria, Texas, in 1875, called the Community of Immaculate Conception.  He also designed their habit made of blue material, and the blessed habits were given to each sister before the entire congregation in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Panna Maria.  These sisters were often referred to as the “Blue Sisters” because of their habit.  They opened schools in Cestochowa, Meyersville, St. Hedwig, Bandera, and San Antonio (Dworaczyk, pages 48-49).   After five years, this order of teaching nuns whose original Motherhouse was in Panna Maria transferred to St. Hedwig.  Two years later, the community was dissolved, and the nuns were allowed to enter other congregations if they so desired (Dworaczyk, page 54).

The “Blue Sisters”  who were born in Texas of Silesian descent:
• Marcianna Czerner
• Cecilia Felix
• Barbara Krawietz
• Konegunda Krawietz
• Anna [Joanna] Moczygemba
• Lucy Niemiec
• Albina [Balbina] Sowa
• Pauline Urbanczyk

One of the “Blue Sisters” who taught in Bandera was Balbina Sowa whose religious name was Sister Mary Agata.  Her photograph, left, was taken around 1882 after her order had disbanded.  It was originally published in the Sowa Family History: Six Generations of Polish Texans (page 122).  The photograph was courtesy of Balbina Sowa’s niece, Regina Wiatrek Lyssy, of Kosciusko, Texas.

 

 

 

 

This 1875 photograph taken in Panna Maria, Texas has an inscription on the back of the original that says, “Mary Hedwig.”  According to letter No. 34743 written by Father Felix Zwiardowski to Father Bakanowski on April 20, 1875, one of the Silesian girls, Pauline Urbanczyk, was Sister Maria Jadwiga [Baker, 1979, page 215, note 65]. The Dziuk family who loaned the photo to the Institute of Texan Cultures said it may be of Pauline Urbanczyk which seems very likely given her religious name as Sister Maria Jadwiga or Mary Hedwig as written on the back.  If so, this may be the only surviving photo of the habit designed by Father Zwiardowski and made of blue material worn by the “Blue Sisters” of Panna Maria.

 

Felician Sisters – CSSF

 

This order is officially known as the Congregation of Sisters of Saint Felix of Cantalice Third Order Regular of Saint Francis of Assisi (CSSF).  The Felician Congregation was founded in 1855 by Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska who was born in Kalisz, Poland.  When Father Joseph Dabrowski invited the Felician Sisters to come teach in Polonia, Wisconsin, five answered the call in 1874 establishing the Felician Sisters American foundation.  In 1882, the motherhouse was transferred to Detroit, Michigan.  From 1900 – 1953, six more American provinces were established.  In 1976, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province was transferred from Ponca City, Oklahoma, to Rio Rancho, New Mexico.  These Felician-Franciscan Sisters of the Southwest have some homes and ministries in Texas.   In 2009, the eight former provinces united into one new North American province – Our Lady of Hope Province.

 

 

 

The following Felician Sisters were born in Texas of Silesian descent:

Geraldine Ann Bienek: Sister Mary Geraldine   1950-2009
• Born on May 30, 1950, in San Antonio, Texas [St. Michael Church, Baptism Record, page 44, entry #91]
• Daughter of Bernard Leon Bienek and Pauline Dylla
• Perpetual vows made on August 2, 1977
• Photograph from San Antonio Express-News, March 20, 2009, page 4B, and Today’s Catholic, April 10, 2009, page 5
• Died on March 18, 2009; buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Danat Mary Brysch:  Sister Danat Marie
• Born in Cestohowa, Texas
• Daughter of Elias Stanley Brysch, Sr. and Frances Ann Krawietz
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1978
• Photograph from Centennial History of the Founding of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Czestochowa, Texas  1873-1973, 13th page

Mary Margaret Ann Dworaczyk:  Sister Mary Fermine    1929-2008
• Born on June 14, 1929, in Yorktown, Texas [Holy Cross Church, Baptism Record, page 49, entry #41]
• Daughter of Arcadeus Dworaczyk and Veronica Muschalek
• Entered Felician Sisters Convent in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 1947
• Sister Mary Fermine later returned to her baptismal name of Margaret
• Died on December 15, 2008; buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Florence Gawlik: Sister Mary Angela 1933-2015
• Born on April 19, 1933, in Cestohowa, Texas [Nativity of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, page 137, 5th entry]
• Daughter of Anton Gawlik and Cecilia Mika
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1960
• Family photographs courtesy of Dorothy Gawlik Moy
• Last photograph from Centennial History of the Founding of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Czestochowa, Texas  1873-1973, 13th page
• Died on August 15, 2015; buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Jane Mary Gawlik:  Sister Jane Mary
• Born in Cestohowa, Texas
• Daughter of Adolph John Gawlik, Jr. and Mary Julia Kotara
• Perpetual vows made on August 12, 1980
• First photograph from Centennial History of the Founding of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Czestochowa, Texas  1873-1973, 13th page
• Second photograph taken at Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation Gala on November 14, 2010

Dorothy Ann Janysek:  Sister Mary Martha
• Born in Runge, Texas
• Daughter of Conrad Janysek and Rosie Pawelek
• Perpetual vows made on July 29, 1973
• Photograph from Today’s Catholic, June 13, 2014, page 18

Barbara Philomena Jaskinia: Sister Mary Gerard   1923-1995
• Born on September 23, 1923, in Cestohowa, Texas  [Nativity of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, page 68, entry #37]
• Daughter of Peter Jaskinia and Julia Pruski
• Entered Felician Sisters Convent in Chicago, Illinois, on October 4, 1941
• Perpetual vows made on August 22, 1949
• Photograph from  Centennial History of the Founding of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Czestochowa, Texas  1873-1973, 12th page
• Died on December 24, 1995; buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albina Barbara Jendrush:  Sister Mary Bernardia 1922-2004
• Born on November 23, 1922, in Cestohowa, Texas [Nativity of the BVM Church, Baptism Records, page 62, entry   #45]
• Daughter of Bernard Jendrush and Margaret Jarzombek
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1951
• Photograph from Centennial History of the Founding of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Czestochowa, Texas  1873-1973, 12th page
• Died on May 21, 2004; buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Catherine Agnes Kopecki:  Sister Mary Barbara
• Born in Floresville, Texas
• Daughter of Isadore Kopecki and Apolonia Kaminski
• Perpetual vows made on July 31, 1968
• Photograph from Centennial: St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 1898 – 1998, Kosciuszko, Texas, page 188

Helen B. Korzekwa:  Sister Mary Janelle
• Born in Kosciusko, Texas
• Daughter of John Korzekwa and Cecilia Jarzombek
• Perpetual vows made on July 26, 1963
• Photograph from Centennial: St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 1898-1998, Kosciuszko, Texas, page 187

Lucy M. Korzekwa:  Sister Mary Lucy
• Born in Kosciusko, Texas
• Daughter of John Korzekwa and Cecilia Jarzombek
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1959
• Celebrated 60th Jubilee in 2011
• Photograph from Today’s Catholic, May 6, 2011, page 5

Pelagia Korzekwa:  Sister Mary Loritta
• Born in Kosciusko, Texas
• Daughter of John Korzekwa and Cecilia Jarzombek
• Perpetual vows made on August 22, 1958
• Photograph from Centennial: St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 1898-1998, Kosciuszko, Texas, page 186

Mary Angelee Kowalik:  Sister Mary Angelee 1934-2016
• Born on March 3, 1934, in Helena, Texas
• Daughter of Anton Albert Kowalik and Martha Caroline Janysek
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1959
• Celebrated 60th Jubilee in 2011
• Photograph from Today’s Catholic, May 6, 2011, page 5
• Died on May 16, 2016; buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dorothy Ann Moczygemba:  Sister Dorothy Ann Mary
• Born in  Falls City, Texas
• Daughter of  Frank Anton Moczygemba and Theresa Janysek
• Perpetual vows made on   August 1, 1971

Balbina Sowa:  Sister Mary Gabriel 1861-1906
• Born on March 30, 1861, in Victoria, Texas [St. Mary Church, Baptism Record, Book I, page 119, entry #812]
• Daughter of John Sowa and Mary Schefzik
• Entered Sisters of Divine Providence Convent in Castroville for less than a year circa 1873   [Callaghan, page 106]
• Next entered the Community of Immaculate Conception or “Blue Sisters”  which was dissolved in 1881 [Dworaczyk, pages 49 and 54]
• Finally entered the Congregation of Felician Sisters in Detroit, Michigan
• Perpetual vows made on August 26, 1900
• Photograph from  The Sowa Family History:  Six Generations of Polish Texans published in 1981, page 124.  The photograph was courtesy of Christine Sowa Hudek, New Boston, Texas.
• Died on February 13, 1906; buried in Mount Olivet, Leavenworth, Kansas

Theresa F. Sturm:  Sister Mary Ellen
• Born in Yorktown, Texas
• Daughter of Herman Sturm and Eleanora Warzecha
• Perpetual vows made on July 26, 1963

Edna Waclawczyk: Sister Mary Estelle 1929-2014
• Born on May 20, 1929, in Cestohowa, Texas [Nativity of the BVM Church, Baptism Records, page 11, entry #11]
• Daughter of William Waclawczyk and Mary Lee Dziuk
• Perpetual vows made on August 23, 1955
• Photograph from Centennial History of the Founding of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Czestochowa, Texas 1873-1973, 12th page
• Died on February 3, 2014; buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Carolyn Rita Wiatrek:  Sister Carol Marie
• Born in Kosciusko, Texas
• Daughter of Stanik Wiatrek and Theresa Olenick
• Perpetual vows made on July 31, 1968
• Photograph from Centennial: St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 1898-1998, Kosciuszko, Texas, page 188

Cecilia B. Zigmond:  Sister Mary Clementia
• Born in St. Hedwig, Texas
• Daughter of Clemens Zigmond and Clara Skrzycki
• Perpetual vows made on August 4, 1961
• Photograph from wilsoncountynews.com, August 13, 2003
• First two photographs from family album
• Third photograph from wilsoncountynews.com, August 13, 2003

 Order of St. Benedict – Benedictines

The Texas Benedictines were founded on the Isle of Pines, Cuba, in November 1911, under the leadership of Mother M. Lidwina of St. Mary’s Convent, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  In June 1919, the Sisters accepted Bishop Arthur J. Drossaerts’ invitation to establish a foundation in the Diocese of San Antonio and began staffing two schools, one at Las Gallinas, where the community had settled, and another at nearby Loire.  After the close of those schools in 1925, the Sisters operated the St. Vincent de Paul Home in San Antonio which became St. Benedict’s Hospital and Nursing Home.  The motherhouse was moved to Boerne in 1962. [Source: Archdiocese of San Antonio 1874-1974, page 286]

The following Benedictine Sister was born in Texas of Silesian descent:

Maria Justina Stanuś  / Stanush:  Sister Mary Christina   1905-1961
• Born on March 23, 1905, in Bexar County, Texas
[Annunciation of the BVM Church, St. Hedwig, Texas, Baptism Record, page 137, 1st entry]
• Daughter of William Stanuś / Stanush and Justina Drzymała
• Perpetual vows made on March 25, 1926
• Photograph from St. Joseph’s Church, Las Gallinas, Texas 1876-1976, 5th page
• Died on April 3, 1961; buried in San Fernando Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas
• Reinterment in Holy Angels Cemetery, St. Scholastica Monastery, Boerne, Texas
• Obituary from San Antonio Express, April 5, 1961, page 2-C

 

 

 

 

Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word – CCVI

CCVI is the acronym for the Latin phrase, “Congregatio Caritatis Verbi Incarnati” which means “Congregation of Charity of the Incarnate Word.” It refers to the Sisters who comprise the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. The order was founded in 1866 by Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis, the second bishop of Galveston, Texas.
The nuns included below are of Silesian descent who professed their vows in Texas.

Bernadette Anderwald:  Sister Bernadette   1917-2016
• Born on June 1, 1917, in Gonzales, Texas
• Daughter of Thomas Anderwald and Eleanor Snaer
• Perpetual vows made in 1944
• Photograph from San Antonio Express-News, June 11, 2016, page B4
• Died on June 8, 2016; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas

Dorothy Cecilia Batto: Sister Mary Agatha and later Sister Dorothy
• Born in Medina, Texas
• Daughter of Raymond Howard Batto and Agatha Frances Mazurek
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1969
• Photograph on left as a Novice in 1962
• Photograph in center from Today’s Catholic, June 13, 2014, page 16
• Photograph on right in 2019

Maria Broll: Sister Mary Methodius 1886 – 1928
• Born on November 17, 1886, in Yorktown, Texas [Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Meyersville, Texas, Baptism Record, page 96, entry #38]
• Daughter of Adrian Broll and Francisca Korcz
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1913
• Died on October 23, 1928; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas [Death Certificate stamped #44568]

Euphemia Constance Dworaczyk: Sister Wenceslaus 1919-2011
•  Born on September 11, 1919, in Yorktown,Texas [Holy Cross Church, Baptism Record, page 39, entry #7]
•  Daughter of Arcadeus Dworaczyk and Veronika Muschalek
•  Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1944
•  Photograph courtesy of Sisters of the Incarnate Word Archives
•  Died on August 11, 2011; buried in Incarnate Word convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas

Dorothy Helen Franckowiak:  Sister Mary Wenceslaus 1882-1934
• Born on February 6, 1882, in St. Hedwig, Texas [Annunciation of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, page 54, 1st entry]
• Daughter of Andrew Franckowiak and Emelia Zoworka
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1906
• Died on May 3, 1934; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas [Death Certificate stamped #21125]

Julia Gola:  Sister Mount Carmel 1870-1939
• Born on March 25, 1870, in Martinez, Texas [Annunciation of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, entry #66]
• Daughter of Anton Gola and Caroline Stanuś
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1896
• Photograph below with Anna Kulesza (Sister Karolina), her half-sister; photograph originally provided to Doris Jaeschke Kosub by Dorothy Mann
• Died on January 21, 1939; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas  [Death Certificate stamped #272]

Emelia Korzekwa:  Sister Cyrilla  1896-1982
• Born on May 28, 1896, in Cestohowa, Texas
• Daughter of Frank Korzekwa and Hedwig Knuski
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1924
• Photograph from  Centennial: St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 1898-1998, Kosciuszko, Texas, page 186
• Died on March 8, 1982 [Texas Death Index]; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas

Albina Krawiec:  Sister Mary Elizabeth 1864-1884

• Born on May 5, 1864, in St. Hedwig, Texas [St. Mary Church, San Antonio, Baptism Record, page 101, 1st entry]
• Daughter of Thomas Krawiec and Agnes Szyguła
• First profession of vows on September 11, 1884
• Died on October 20, 1884; originally buried in San Fernando Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas
• Remains transferred to Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery in 1930

Anastasia Krawiec:  Sister Mary Joseph 1854-1919
• Born on January 8, 1854, in Świbie, Silesia, Poland [Św. Mikołaja, Baptism Record, entry #88]
• Daughter of Thomas Krawiec and Agnes Szyguła
• Perpetual vows made on July 22, 1877
• First photograph below with two other Silver Jubilarians; photo courtesy of Genny Kosub Kraus
• Second photograph below with two of her siblings, Anna and Bronislawa; photograph courtesy of Doris Jaeschke Kosub
• Died on March 15, 1919; originally buried in San Fernando Cemetery,San Antonio, Texas   [Death Certificate stamped #9040]
• Remains transferred to Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery in 1930

Mathilda Krawiec:  Sister Mary Alacoque 1858-1881
• Baptized on March 25, 1858, in St. Hedwig, Texas [Annunciation of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, entry VI; birth date not stated in record]
• Daughter of Thomas Krawiec and Agnes Szyguła
• Investiture on August 11, 1881; died prior to profession of vows
• Died on November 19, 1881; originally buried in San Fernando Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas
• Remains transferred to Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery in 1930

Barbara Krawiecz: Sister Cecilia 1859-1895
•  Born on November 29, 1859, in Panna Maria, Texas [Immaculate Conception of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, entry #102]
• Daughter of Joseph Krawiecz and Catharina Korzekwa
• Entered Sisters of Divine Providence Convent in Castroville and “probably received the habit in August, 1874” [Callaghan, page 106] and was named Sister Maria Kunegunda [Baker, page 215, note 65]
• Next became a member of the Community of Immaculate Conception or “Blue Sisters” which was dissolved in 1881 [Dworaczyk, pages 48 and 54]
• Finally entered the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word
• Perpetual vows made on August 14, 1886
• Died on August 28, 1895; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas

Agnes Krawietz: Sister Bronislaus 1888-1937
• Born on January 14, 1888, in Cestohowa, Texas
• Daughter of Anton Krawietz and Constantina Zygmunt
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1912
|• Died on April 21, 1937; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas  [Death Certificate stamped #19070]

Mary Anna Krawietz:  Sister Mary Teresa 1892-1985
• Born on June 12, 1892, in Cestohowa, Texas  [Nativity of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, page 117, 3rd entry]
• Daughter of Anton Krawietz and Constantina Zygmunt
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1916
• Changed her religious name from Sister Stanislawa to Sister Mary Teresa
• Photograph below courtesy of Genny Kosub Kraus
• Died on November 5, 1985 [Texas Death Index]; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas

Anna Kulesza:  Sister Karolina 1885-1972
• Born on October 19, 1885, in St. Hedwig, Texas [Annunciation of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, page 100, 1st entry]
• Daughter of John Kulesza and Caroline Stanuś
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1908
• Photograph below courtesy of Mary Carr. Also see photograph above for Julia Gola (Sister Mount Carmel), half sister to Sister Karolina
• Died on December 21, 1972; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas

Joanna Moczygemba:  Sister Ephrem 1860-1946
• Baptized on August 29, 1860, in Panna Maria, Texas [Immaculate Conception of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, entry #125;  birth date not stated in record]
• Daughter of Joseph Moczygemba and Carolina Szyguda
• Sister of Msgr. Thomas Moczygemba [see Notable priests]
• Entered Sisters of Divine Providence Convent in Castroville circa 1873 but did not remain [Callaghan, page 106]
• Next entered the Community of Immaculate Conception or “Blue Sisters”  which was dissolved in 1881 [Dworaczyk, pages 49 and 54; referred to her as “Anna” Moczygemba]
• Finally entered the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word
• Perpetual vows made on March 9, 1891
• Died on May 9, 1946; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas  [Death Certificate stamped #20728]

Lucy Niemiec:  Sister Mary Louise 1860-1933
• Born on December 12, 1860, in Texas [St. Mary Church, San Antonio, Baptism Record, page 29, entry #149]
• Daughter of John Niemiec and Barbara Brzytua / Brzytiva [Brzytwa]
• Entered Sisters of Divine Providence Convent in Castroville and was invested as Sister Casimir on August 25, 1873 [Callaghan, pages 103-104]
• Next became a member of the Community of Immaculate Conception or “Blue Sisters” in Panna Maria [Dworaczyk, pages 49 and 54] receiving the blue habit on Quinquagesima Sunday of 1875; order dissolved in 1881 [Baker, page 120]
• Finally entered the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word
• Perpetual vows made on August 14, 1890
• Died on July 9, 1933; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas  [Death Certificate stamped #30812]

Salomea Olejnik/Olenick:  Sister Sixtus  1906-1950
• Born on October 28, 1906, in Cestohowa, Texas [Nativity of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, page 30, 1st entry]
• Daughter of John Olejnik and Paulina Lyssy
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1930
• Photograph courtesy of Olivia Blanchard
• Died on February 5, 1950; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas

Barbara Rakowicz/Rakowitz:  Sister John Nepomucene 1885-1924
• Born on November 1, 1885, in St. Hedwig, Texas [Annunciation of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, page 101, 1st entry]
• Daughter of John Stanislaus Rakowicz and Margarita Panek
• Perpetual vows made on April 17, 1910
• Photograph courtesy of John and Katherine Korus Beard
• Died on January 30, 1924; originally buried in Boerne Cemetery, Boerne, Texas [Death Certificate stamped #2406]
• Remains transferred to Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas, in 1935

Anna Stanuś:  Sister Mary Clotilda ca. 1855-1879
• Baptism record to document her birth date not yet found in Texas
• Appears as “Johana” in the 1860  Bexar County census with her birthplace as Texas
• Daughter of  Wojciech (Albert) Stanuś  and Cecilia Badura
• Perpetual vows made on May 5, 1879, the day of her death
• Died on May 5, 1879; originally buried in San Fernando Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas
• Remains transferred to Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery in 1930

Clara Stanuś/Stanush:  Sister Mary Dominic 1897-1968
• Born on July 3, 1897, in St. Hedwig, Texas [Annunciation of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, page 10, 4th entry]
• Daughter of August Stanuś and Anna Kaczmarek
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1924
• Died on June 27, 1968; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas  [Death Certificate stamped #39606]

Eva Stanuś:  Sister Mary Incarnation 1853-1936
• Born on July 10, 1853, in Świbie, Silesia, Poland [Św. Mikołaja, Baptism Record, entry #121]
• Daughter of  Wojciech (Albert) Stanuś  and Cecilia Badura
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1882
• Died on October 24, 1936; buried in Incarnate Word Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas  [Death Certificate stamped #47962]

Pauline Urbanczyk:  Sister Mary Veronica 1858-1942
• Born on May 19, 1858, in Panna Maria, Texas [Immaculate Conception of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, entry #58]
• Daughter of Matthew Urbanczyk and Francisca Dziuk
• Original member of Community of Immaculate Conception or “Blue Sisters” in 1875
[Dworaczyk, page 48] as shown in photograph below from UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures, 068-1248. Courtesy of John F. Dziuk Family
• Next entered briefly Divine Providence Convent as Sister Maria Jadwiga [Baker, page 215, note 65]
• Finally entered the Sisters of Charity and made first profession of vows in 1882
• Perpetual vows made on March 19, 1887
• Celebrated golden jubilee in 1932 as shown on card below
• Golden Jubilarian photograph of Sister Mary Veronica wearing floral crown courtesy of Lorraine Kollodziej Archer
• Died on April 3, 1942; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas   [Death Certificate stamped #15743]

Elizabeth Winkler:  Sister Mary Dominic 1858-1916
• Born on December 12, 1858, in Panna Maria, Texas [Immaculate Conception of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, entry #71, with her baptismal name as “Isabela”]
• Daughter of Carl Winkler and Carolina Wiatrek
• Perpetual vows made on August 15, 1882
• Died on February 20, 1916; buried in San Fernando Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas
[Death Certificate stamped #3355]
• Remains transferred to Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery in 1930

Paulina Zienc:  Sister Mary Clara 1861-1891
• Born on February 9, 1862, in San Antonio, Texas [St. Mary Church, San Antonio, Baptism Record, page 52, 5th entry, with distorted spelling of surname as “Schensch”]
• Daughter of John Zienc and Mina Morawietz
• Perpetual vows made on March 19, 1886
• Died on December 10, 1891; buried in Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas

Sisters of Divine Providence – CDP

The Congregation of Sisters of Divine Providence was founded by Blessed Martin Moye in 1762 in Lorraine, France.  The first Sisters of Divine Providence came to Texas in 1866 from the motherhouse of St. Jean-de-Bassel, France, at the invitation of Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis of Galveston, Texas.  In 1886, Bishop John C. Neraz changed the Texas province into a diocesan congregation, no longer depended upon the motherhouse in France.
The nuns included below are of Silesian descent who professed their vows in Texas.

Mary Adeline Espey:  Sister Jule Adele
• Born in Las Gallinas, Texas
• Daughter of Julius Espey and Adeline Skwortz
• Perpetual vows made on June 22, 1955
• Recipient of the Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation Outstanding Service Award in 2006

Mary Elizabeth Gieniec: Sister Mary Alexandrine 1917-2008
• Born on November 18, 1917, in San Antonio, Texas
• Daughter of Jacob Gieniec and Mary Victoria Morawietz
• Perpetual vows made on June 22, 1941
• Photograph from St. Michael’s Catholic Church 1866-1966 Centennial, 51st page
• Died on February 22, 2008; buried in Sisters of Divine Providence Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas
• Click HERE to read biographical article about her.

Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament – IWBS

This congregation was founded in 1625 in Roanne, France, by Jeanne Chezard de Matel.  Responding to an invitation from Bishop Jean Odin, the first Bishop of Texas, five of the IWBS nuns arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1852 and founded the first American convent in Brownsville the following year.  In 1866, an independent house, Nazareth Convent, was established in Victoria, Texas.
The nuns included below are of Silesian descent who professed their vows in Texas:

Margaret Moczygemba:  Sister Charlotte 1912-1991
• Born on August 28, 1912, in Falls City, Texas
• Daughter of William Moczygemba and Barbara Jarzombek
• Perpetual vows made on August 17, 1935
• Died on December 26, 1991; buried in Catholic Cemetery No. 3, Victoria, Texas

Helena Mzyk:  Sister M. Edith 1915-2008
• Born on May 17, 1915, in Cestohowa, Texas  [Nativity of the BVM Church, Baptism Record, page 7, entry #1
• Daughter of Jerome W. Mzyk and Victoria Pruski
• Perpetual vows made on August 24, 1936
• Died on August 12, 2008; buried in Catholic Cemetery No. 3, Victoria, Texas
• Photograph from Victoria Advocate obituary on August 14, 2008

Cecilia Sczepanik:  Sister Jean Marie 1913-2005
• Born on November 22, 1913, in Falls City, Texas
• Daughter of  Vincent Joseph Sczepanik and Nimpha Dugie
• Perpetual vows made on August 17, 1932
• Died on January 16, 2005; buried in Catholic Cemetery No. 3, Victoria, Texas

Mary Agnes Warzecha: Sister Maria Goretti
• Born in Falls City, Texas
• Daughter of  Isidore Warzecha and Clara Brysch
• Perpetual vows made on August 6, 1960

Ursulines – OSU

The Order of Saint Ursula was founded by Saint Angela Merici in Brescia, Italy, in 1535. Arriving in New Orleans in 1727, the Ursulines were the first women religious to serve in North America. On September 14, 1851, four nuns from the Ursuline convent of New Orleans and three from Galveston arrived in San Antonio. The convent building on the banks of the San Antonio River had been purchased by Bishop Odin for the use of the Ursuline Sisters who opened their academy for girls on Augusta Street.
The nuns included below are of Silesian descent who professed their vows in Texas.

Victoria Ibrom: Sister Philomena 1875 – 1908
• Born on March 30, 1875, in Swierkle, Silesia, present-day Poland [Św. Bartłomieja Apostoła, Kielcza, Poland, Baptism Record, page 357, entry #53]
• Daughter of Bernard Ibrom and Julianna Szostok
• Received the religious habit of the Ursulines as a Choir Sister on August 28, 1901, in San Antonio, Texas
• Pronounced Religious Vows on January 6, 1903, in San Antonio, Texas
• Died on August 15, 1908; buried in the little cemetery on the grounds of the Ursuline Monastery in San Antonio, Texas; re-interred at San Fernando Cemetery

Clara Oczko: Sister Clare Anne 1846-1911
• Born in Chorula, Silesia, present-day Poland, and baptized on August 12, 1846 [Wniebowzięcia NMP, Otmet, Poland, Baptism Record, page 371, entry #64]
• Daughter of Frank Oczko and Josepha Rudek
• Received the religious habit of the Ursulines as a Lay-Sister on November 26, 1865, in San Antonio, Texas
• Pronounced Religious Vows on January 20, 1867, in San Antonio, Texas
• Died on October 6, 1911; buried in San Fernando Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas [Death Certificate stamped #21150]

Magdalena Oczko: Sister Étienne 1849-1921
• Born in Chorula, Silesia, present-day Poland, and baptized on May 27, 1849 [Wniebowzięcia NMP, Otmet, Poland, Baptism Record, page 471, entry #41]
• Daughter of Frank Oczko and Josepha Rudek
• Documented as an Ursuline Sister in the 1900 and 1910 Census in San Antonio, Texas
• Died on October 3, 1921; buried in San Fernando Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas [Death Certificate stamped #26803]

Maria Panek: Sister Mary Agatha 1846 – 1916
• Baptized on August 8, 1846, in Wysoka (Olesno), Silesia, present-day Poland [Św. Mikołaja i Św. Małgorzaty, Wysoka (Olesno), Poland, Baptism Record, page 173, entry #96]
• Daughter of Ignaz Panek and Jadwiga Gdowka
• Pronounced Religious Vows on March 20, 1870, in San Antonio, Texas
• Died on February 12, 1916; buried in the Ursuline section of Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Laredo, Texas [Death Certificate stamped #5531]