Issue of January 19, 2003

Fr. Henry Olejniczak

St. Columba Pastor Emeritus

Father Henry Olejniczak, 78, retired pastor of St. Columba Church, died Jan. 1, from congestive heart failure.

Ordained in 1951, he served as associate pastor at Five Holy Martyrs Parish (1951-57), St. Helen Parish (1957-1961); St. Michael, South Shore (1961-1965); St. Valentine, a Cicero parish that has since closed (1965-1968); St. Ladislaus (1968-74); and St. Turibius (1974-80).

He served as pastor of St. Columba Church for 14 years, beginning in 1980. Upon his retirement in 1994, he was appointed Pastor Emeritus of St. Columba.

Sr. Clare Forsyth

music Educator

BVM Sister Clare Forsyth died Dec. 31 at age 95. She was an educator for 36 years. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was on the music faculty at Mundelein College from 1931-43 and 1952-63, where she chaired the organ department. She also taught here at St. Mary High School, Immaculata High School and St. Eulalia School, Maywood. She is survived by two sisters, Sister Katherine Forsyth, BVM and Sister Jose Forsyth, BVM; and a brother, George Forsyth.

Sr. Mary Donald Bauer

Taught for 60 years

School Sister of St. Francis Mary Donald Bauer died Dec. 30 at age 93. A native of Chicago, she was received into the community in 1926 and made profession of vows in 1933. She taught for 60 years in Illinois and Wisconsin. In the Archdiocese of Chicago she taught at St. Martin, St. Nicholas, Our Lady of Victory, St. Philomena, St. Joseph (Wilmette), Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Glenview), St. Alphonsus (Lemont), and Our Lady of Charity (Cicero).

Fr. George O’Keefe

Missionary, teacher

Carmelite Father George O’Keefe died Dec. 23 at age 80. A native of Chicago, he attended Mt. Carmel High School before joining the Carmelites. He served in the foreign missions in Santiago, Chile and in Lima, Peru. Father O’Keefe was superior of the Carmelite Missions in the Prelature of Sicuani, Peru. Upon his return to the United States, he taught Spanish at Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago and then was assigned to St. Cyril-St. Clara Parish here. He later served as chaplain at the Cook County Jail, where he was an outspoken opponent of the death penalty.

Sr. Martha Mary Nosal

Teacher

Resurrection Sister Martha Mary Nosal, 87, died Dec. 29. A native of Chicago, she joined the Sisters of the Resurrection in 1931. She served as a teacher in the archdiocese at St. Casimir, St. Mary of the Angels, St. Bede, St. Thecla and Queen of the Rosary (Elk Grove Village) schools.

Sr. M. Corfilia Pinski

Educator

Sister of St. Joseph, TOSF Mary Corfilia Pinski died Dec. 29. She spent 70 years as a religious in the field of education in the Midwest and in Canada. She taught at Lourdes High School here for more than 40 years.

Sr. Marcina Schlenz

Teacher

School Sister of St. Francis Marcina Schlenz, died Dec. 23 at age 97. She made profession of vows in 1923. Sister Marcina lived her religious ministry as a music teacher, liturgist and organist in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught music at Alvernia High School.

Sr. Melmary McCann

Community minister

Dominican Sister Melmary McCann, 85, died Dec. 19. A native of Evanston, she entered the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1935. Sister McCann served as a community housekeeper and pastoral enabler for 47 years. She ministered in convents in several Midwestern states.

Fr. Sean O’Leary

teacher

Carmelite Father Sean O’Leary, 72, died Dec. 30. In the He taught at Mt. Carmel High School in the Archdiocese of Chicago from 1956-60. Father O’Leary was also a member of the Carmelite Mission Band.