Issue of April 24, 2005

Barbara Feldt

Former archdiocesan employee

Barbara Feldt, long-time former secretary and administrator at the Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Archdiocese of Chicago, died April 15 of cardiac arrest. She was 64.

She worked with the Ecumenical and Interreligious Office in October 1987 and continued until her retirement in 2002

She is survived by her husband, Larry; children Debbie, Cindy, Lauren Jr. and Stephen; and five grandchildren.

Sr. Elaine Grezlik

chicago-born teacher

Sister of Christian Charity Elaine Grezlik, 91, died April 9 at Sacred Heart Convent in Wilmette.

A Chicago native, she attended St. Clement and St. Gregory grade schools. She entered the congregation in 1929, and made her final vows in 1939.

Sister taught schools in Michigan, Louisiana and Missouri.

In the Chicago area, she taught at St. Aloysius, 1946-53; St. Raphael, 1953-54; her alama mater of St. Gregory, 1954-63; St. Teresa, 1963-64; and at St. Gregory, from 1964-67.

From 1967-69 she worked at the motherhouse in Wilmette and returned to St. Gregory’s in 1969 as librarian until 1975.

In 1997 she retired from active ministry and moved to Sacred Heart Convent in Wilmette.

Sr. Angelica Hengesbach

teacher/councilor general

Sister of Christian Charity Angelica Hengesbach died March 17, at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette.

Born in Westphalia, Mich., she entered the congregation at the motherhouse in Wilmette in 1943, making her first vows in 1946.

From 1946-50 she taught at St. Raphael School, followed by an assignment in 1950-53 at St. Aloysius School. After an assignment in Iowa, Sister returned to teach at St. Martha School in Morton Grove, 1957-60.

From 1961-63 she served as principal of St. Martha School. She also taught at St. Gregory High School from 1965-67, and at Mallinckrodt College in Wilmette from 1971-74.

She was named Provincial Superior of the Western Province in 1974. Upon the expiration of her term in 1983, she was appointed as Councilor General; she represented the Western Province at the Generalate in Rome.

Returning to the United States in 1990, she was assigned the duties of superior and administrator at Sacred Heart Convent in Wilmette.

In 1993, she was sent to Westphalia, Mich. as superior of the convent there.

Accepting semi-retirement from active ministry in 1999, she returned to Sacred Heart Convent as a resident and later, a patient.

Sr. Rosemary Hollerich

teacher, principal, librarian

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Rosemary (Alessia) Hollerich , 76, died April 3 at the Dominican Motherhouse in Sinsinawa, Wis.

Born in Spring Valley, Ill., she made her first religious profession in 1949, and her final profession as Sister Alessia, in 1952.

Sister Rosemary served as principal, elementary teacher and librarian for 52 years and in 2001, she began a three year period as librarian at Dominican Motherhouse.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Brendan School, 1949-52 and St. Thomas the Apostle School, 1985-88 as well as 1998-99. She served as Junior High Librarian at St. Thomas, 1988-89, 1990, and 1999-2000. She was also Principal at St. Thomas in 1990.

Sister Rosemary is survived by a sister, a brother, and nieces and nephews.

Sr. Ruth Hennelly

Chicago-born teacher

BVM Sister of Charity Ruth (Sarah) Hennelly, 90, died April 12 at Marian Hall, Dubuque, Iowa.

In Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Angels School, 1936- 45; and Presentation 1947-50. She also taught in Iowa and Arizona, and spent 35 years teaching in southern California.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Holy Cross School and Lindblom High School before entering the BVMs in 1933. Sister professed first vows in 1936 and final vows in 1941.

She is survived by nieces and nephews.

Fr. Chester Mitoraj

Priest, Principal

Resurrection Father Chester Mitoraj, 83, died March 4 of cardiovascular disease. A Chicago native, he was a 64-year member of the Congregation of the Resurrection.

His priestly ministry was served in Chicago. Father taught at Archbishop Weber High School for 16 years and was principal for six years. He served as associate pastor at St. Mary of the Angels and St. John Cantius parishes. From 1998 to the present he was associate pastor at St. Hyacinth Basilica here.

Father Mitoraj is survived by his sisters, Ann Kohl and Lillian Karaskiewicz and several nephews.

Fr. Emil Stec

Missionary/parish priest

Resurrection Father Emil Stec, 83, died March 6 at Nazarethville, Des Plaines.

Born in Chicago, he graduated from St. Hyacinth Grade School and Archbishop Weber High School. He was a member of the Congregation of the Resurrection for 65 years.

In Chicago, he served as associate pastor at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church and St. Hedwig Church. He also served in California, Florida, Alabama, Nevada and in Canada. He helped begin and establish the Resurrectionist San Miguel Mission in La Paz, Bolivia, South America, in 1959.

Father Stec is survived by his sisters Frances Wills and Therese Haas.