January 19, 1927 — July 16, 2024
Sister Mary Angela, the former Roseann Maciag, a member of the Felician Sisters of Our Lady of Hope Province, died after a brief illness, at the home of her sister in Milton, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Sister Mary Angela was 97 years of age and had spent 75 of those years as a Felician Sister.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Roseann was the daughter of Frances Rapczynska and Joseph Maciag. She was the middle child and had two other sisters, Rita and Marian. Roseann grew up in a family of devout and God-fearing parents who instilled the love of God in their children and were faithful members of St. Adalbert Parish.
The seed of faith and Roseann’s vocation to become a Felician Sister, took root in her early years at St. Adalbert School which was staffed by the Felician Sisters. While the desire to be a sister was being nurtured by God’s grace, Roseann went on to St. Casimir High School and later pursued further education at the Homestead Hospital in the School of Nursing. A dream led her to make a final decision as to what to do with her life. In her dream, she heard music from another room and as she opened the door, Jesus was sitting on the piano bench, beckoned to her and embraced her in the most tender way. Upon awakening, she knew immediately what she would do for the rest of her life. Initially she thought about entering the Maryknoll Sisters and going to China. Instead, like her blood sister, Marian, she requested to be admitted as a postulant in the Felician Sisters in Coraopolis and entered in December of 1949. Roseann was invested in the Felician habit and received the name, Sister Mary Angela on August 8, 1950. She made her first profession one year later and sealed her commitment for her life on August 9, 1957.
Upon leaving the novitiate, Sister Mary Angela’s ministry of nursing qualified her to begin her service to community and to the Church as the assistant to the sister in charge of the infirmary at the provincial house. Sister Mary Angela’s sense of compassion and her care for the sick and aging sisters was uppermost as she willingly gave of herself for the service of others. The community noted her compassionate personality and her proficiency in caring for the sick and sent her to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh as a day student for three years where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 1962. Sister served at Okarche Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma for one year and was then asked to accept an assignment at McGuire Memorial in New Brighton, Pennsylvania.
McGuire Memorial, a home for developmentally challenged youngsters had been offered to the Felician Sisters by the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 1963. Having served there for approximately 30 years, Sister Mary Angela had found her niche, nurturing the infants with care and tenderness. She loved the children, was a consoling presence to their parents and endeared herself to those with whom she worked. To this day, co-workers remember her fondly and the parents of clients still sing her praises for the love and selfless devotion that she showed to their children.
As a person, Sister Mary Angela was gentle, quiet and reserved by nature. Sister was a prayerful individual, dedicated to community and her ministry and always ready to respond to a need. In 1990, her sick and aging mother was the person in need. The community allowed her to render service to her mother, caring for her and living with her for six years until God called her mother to himself. Sister felt very blessed to have been given this opportunity.
Sister Mary Angela was a very creative individual blessed with artistic abilities and skilled in writing. Sister shared her artistic talents generously through her paintings, which not only reflected her creativity but also served as a means of connecting with and uplifting others. She journaled extensively and the pages she penned showed her deep love of God and a truly sensitive individual.
She returned to community for a short time and then requested permission to live with her sister who also needed help. Sister Angela was granted time to be away for as long as was needed. From 1998 until the present time, she was with her sister in Milton, Massachusetts. Once again, she was helping others, active in her parish church, a member of the choir and always responding to the needs of others. Her journey took her to Haiti, where she played a pivotal role in establishing and operating a clinic, Saint Rock Haiti Clinic where she offered vital medical aid to the impoverished and the needy.
As the years went by, Sister Mary Angela’s health began to diminish and age took its toll on her. However, the Lord was generous to her, and she lived to celebrate 75 years as a Felician Sister. In early May of 2024, she journeyed to Coraopolis to celebrate her diamond anniversary at the convent chapel. Many of the parents and her co-workers at McGuire Memorial were there to help celebrate this momentous occasion and to thank her for all she did to help their children who were helpless and could not speak for themselves.
As the days passed by, Sister Mary Angela’s ninety-seven years were more than her frail body could handle. The Lord sensed her longing for Him and took her to himself peacefully and quickly, the evening of July 16th, the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
Her Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, July 23rd, at St. Elizabeth Church in Milton, Massachusetts. Reverend Martin Dzengeleski was the main celebrant. Burial followed the Mass in the Milton Cemetery.
Sister Angela, may the angels lead you into paradise and may the martyrs and Blessed Mary Angela welcome you into your heavenly reward. Rest in peace, dear Sister Mary Angela.
