Sister Marie Therese Sevic, CSJ
 
When a recent visitor told Sister Marie Therese Sevic she seemed happy, she replied, "I am joyous!"

Eighty years ago Sister Marie Therese arrived at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse. When her teacher at St. Mary School in Freeport, Pa., had asked those who believed they had a religious vocation to raise their hands, this slightly built, retiring girl responded. The interim years were quiet ones for Sister Marie Therese.
 
She taught young children, and still smiles at the memory of them. Then in 1935 she began a dedicated ministry of domestic work, giving daily household service to Sisters at Annunciation, St. Catherine, Assumption convents and the Motherhouse.

From 1961 to 1975, Sister Marie Therese was the night-time aide in the Motherhouse infirmary. Respecting the Sisters’ need for quiet, she regretted when even the washing machine would break the silence. She cherished her responsibility to see that the Sisters were comfortable.

Although Sister Marie Therese speaks little about her spiritual life, other Sisters have an enduring memory of her often in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Now, she awaits reception of Communion each morning, her face testifying to a prayerful, joyous life.

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