SISTER ERNESTINE PORTA, CSJ, 86, died Monday, July 2, in Villa St. Joseph in her 69th year as a Sister of St. Joseph of Baden. Daughter of the late Angelo and Mary Delphine Porta, Sister Ernestine entered the Congregation from St. Mary Parish, Kittanning, PA.

For more than 60 years Sister Ernestine ministered as an educator in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg, and Atlanta. During these years, Sister served for 11 years at St. Mary School in Freeport, and 6 years at St. Paul of the Cross in Atlanta, Georgia. Sister Ernestine last ministered at St. Benedict the Moor School where she served for 25 years as teacher, librarian, and volunteer. She retired from active ministry in 2006.

Sister Ernestine’s words are a reflection of her life: "In the process of living out my life and trying, through His grace, to deepen my relationship with the Lord, I yearned for one thing only — to help students to MEET this Lord and deepen their own relationship."

Sister Ernestine is survived by 237 Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden. Friends will be received Thursday from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 11:00 – 3:30 p.m. at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Baden. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Friday at 4:00 p.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel. Burial will follow in the Sisters’ Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds. Donations in the name of Sister Ernestine may be sent to the Sisters of St. Joseph Memorial Fund, St. Joseph Convent, 1020 State Street, Baden, PA 15005.

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1020 State Street, Baden PA 15005
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