SISTER PHILOMENE CZERKAS

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SISTER PHILOMENE (PAULINE) CZERKAS O.S.B. Peacefully on August 29, 2000, at 5:45 p.m. at Seven Oaks Hospital, Sister Philomene Czerkas O.S.B. went to meet her God, having celebrated 70 years of Monastic Profession on May 12, 2000. Sister Philomene was born on January 27, 1904, in Sokol, Boratyn, Poland. She was the fourth eldest of nine children, several having died in infancy. In 1928 she bravely immigrated to Canada to seek employment but shortly after her arrival in Winnipeg, entered the Benedictine Monastic Community in Arborg, Man. Sister Philomene, a woman of energy, enthusiasm and cheerfulness, served her God and His people through prayer and labour, zealously carrying out the admonitions of St. Benedict of "ora et labora." She ministered as laundress in the hospitals of Winnipegosis, Gimli and Russell and finally at St. Benedicts Monastery from 1969 to 1985, retiring at the age of 81. Sister Philomene was a great entertainer. She was known for her story telling, jokes, visits to people in the hospitals and personal care homes; love of Polish singing and of course, bananas and rootbeer. She was faithful to all Community prayers plus her great devotion to the Blessed Mother. She was never without a rosary in her hands. Sister Philomene was predeceased by her parents John and Mary (Mykytiuk) Czerkas; four brothers, Peter, Mike, Ted and Alex; four sisters, Kathy, Mary, Anne and Catherine and her cousin Stanley Cherkas of Thunder Bay. She is survived by several relatives in Poland; her cousins, Helen and Morris Sochan in Thunder Bay; the members of her Religious Community, friends and acquaintances. A vigil service will be held Thursday, August 31, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Benedicts Monastery, presided by the Prioress, Sister Irene Burzynski OSB. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 1, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Benedicts Monastery. Presider will be Msgr. Louis McCloskey. Interment will follow in the Monastery Cemetery. The Benedictine Sisters would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Alycia Kuffel and the staff at St. Benedicts Health Centre and Seven Oaks Hospital for their care of Sister Philomene. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire donations may be made in Sr. Philomenes memory to St. Benedicts Foundation, 225 Masters Ave., Winnipeg, Man. May she rest in peace. Cropo Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements, 586-8044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 31, 2000