SISTER ALPHONSUS KAGAN

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SISTER ALPHONSUS (ROSALIA MARY) KAGAN, O.S.B. As she lived, so she died, peacefully in the Lord. Sister Alphonsus Kagan of St. Benedict's Monastery, quietly went to meet her God on Thursday evening, October 20, 2005. She was in her 73rd year of monastic profession. Sister Alphonsus was born on October 3, 1916 in Winnipeg, MB, the eldest of four children of Francis and Mary Catherine (Wiernik) Kagan. Her parents had emigrated from Poland and settled in Winnipeg where they were faithful members of St. John Cantius Parish. Sister Alphonsus entered the Benedictine Sisters in Arborg, MB on June 26, 1931 and made her monastic profession on May 3, 1933. Throughout her religious life, Sister Alphonsus was a deeply spiritual, faith filled, prayerful person. She possessed a bright inquisitive mind and delighted in gathering frogs, snails, snakes and every little squirming living thing and examining them under the microscope. She will be remembered as a gentle, loving and caring person. Her quiet leadership and light hearted spirit inspired the members of her Community to elect her as their prioress in 1967 just at the height of the Vatican II renewal. Her other ministries in the Community included: Registered Nurse, Director of Nursing and Medical Records librarian at various times in the Birtle, Russell and Winnipegosis hospitals. Sister Alphonsus also was an active member of the Catholic Women's League especially in Winnipegosis. She retired in 1981, assisted in the Community's Health Centre and volunteered at St. Joseph's Residence until 1983 and then in 1985 was herself confined to the Health Centre. Sister Alphonsus was predeceased by her parents, Francis and Mary Catherine, her aunt Sister Benigna Wiernik, O.S.B. and brother-in-law Stanley. She is survived by her two brothers, Thomas and Dr. Joseph Kagan, (Irene) of Winnipeg, and her sister Frances Ilkow of Montreal, several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins and the members of her Religious Community. The Vigil Service will be held on Monday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Benedict's Monastery Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 25, at 10:00 a.m. presided by Monsignor Norman Chartrand at St. Benedict's Monastery Chapel with interment following in the Monastery cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. Should family and friends so desire, donations may be made in Sister Alphonsus' memory to St. Benedict's Foundation, 225 Masters Ave., Winnipeg, MB R4A 2A1. The Sisters wish to express gratitude to Drs. B. Gorski, A. Kuffel and M. Reda and the staff of the Monastery Health Centre for their loving care and support of Sister Alphonsus. May she rest in peace. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 22, 2005