Obituary of SISTER DOMINIC (MARY) KOLANO, O.S.B.

The Sisters of St. Benedict sadly announce the passing of Sr. Dominic Kolano on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Residence. She was in her 78th year of monastic profession. Sr. Dominic was born on October 9, 1917 in Brandon, Manitoba to Albert and Catherine Agnes (Pilch) Kolano, the third youngest of their 11 children. She entered the Benedictine Community in Arborg, Manitoba on September 21, 1932, following in the footsteps of her older sister Bernice (Sr. Clothilde) and made her monastic profession on July 3, 1934. Sr. Dominic had a fascination with "nuns" at a very early age. She was taken by the way they dressed; how they prayed and walked to church daily for early morning Mass; and how they responded to the needs of the people. When her older sister, Sr. Clothilde, made her first family home visit, Sr. Dominic was convinced religious life was what she wanted for herself. She was a creative, fun-loving, multi-talented person who loved interacting with people, sharing jokes, designing jewellery, especially jeweled Christmas trees and was a wonderful seamstress. She had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and always treasured her pilgrimage to Czestochowa, Poland to pray at the shrine of the Black Madonna. Sr. Dominic faithfully served her God and community throughout her life beginning with her ministry as an elementary and religious education teacher (Holy Ghost School), then a registered nurse (Russell and Winnipegosis Hospitals), Personal Care Home Administrator (Arborg Manor), coordinator of the New Horizons Crafts Program for Seniors (St. Benedict’s Centre) and sub-prioress of her community. She was predeceased by her brothers John and Frank, sisters Ann, Sr. Clothilde, Julia, Helen and Louise and two brothers and a sister, Andrew, Frank and Julia, who died in infancy. She is survived by the members of her religious community, numerous nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews and her many friends and acquaintances. A Vigil Service will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Benedict’s Monastery presided by Sr. Virginia Evard, O.S.B, Prioress. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 24 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Benedict’s Monastery. Presider will be Msgr. Louis McCloskey with commendation by Sr. Virginia Evard, Prioress. Interment will follow in the monastery cemetery. The Sisters of St. Benedict would like to express their gratitude to the staff of St. Joseph’s Residence and St. Benedict’s Health Centre and to Doctors A. Kuffel, M. Reda, B. Gorski and P. Connelly for their compassionate care of Sr. Dominic. May she rest in peace. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so wish, donations may be made in Sr. Dominic’s memory to St. Benedict’ Foundation, 225 Masters Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R4A 2A1.