Obituary of Sr. O.S.B.

Sr. Celestine (Bertha) Osika O.S.B. Sr. Celestine passed away peacefully at Seven Oaks General Hospital, Sunday morning, September 27, 2009 at the age of 101. She was in her 81st year of monastic profession Sr. Celestine was born on June 4, 1908, in Theodore, Saskatchewan. She was the seventh of 12 children born to Jacob and Anna (Malinowski) Osika. Her parents emigrated from Poland and settled in Theodore where they farmed. Following in the footsteps of her older sister, Sr. Monica, an aunt, Sr. Benedict, and cousins Srs. Walburga and Thecla, Sr. Celestine entered the Benedictine Sisters in Arborg, Manitoba on December 24, 1926 and made her monastic profession on September 2, 1928. Sr. Celestine was a private person by nature. She was wholly committed to prayer. Even when her eyesight began deteriorating she would make every effort to be present at community prayer. In her declining years she could be found in the Chapel balcony deep in personal prayer. She had a keen mind, loved to read and keep abreast of the world and community events. From the time of her retirement till well into her 90's she rode her bicycle daily on the monastery grounds. Sr. Celestine's main ministry was in nursing whether at the bedside or in administrative positions. She graduated as a registered nurse from St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in Winnipeg on June 1, 1932. In October 1932, she completed her practical work in Communicable Diseases at St. Rock's Hospital in St. Boniface, and her North Dakota State Board Nursing Exams in November 1933. Over the next 40 years, Sr. Celestine ministered in St. Anthony's Hospital, North Dakota and in Manitoba at St. Mary's Hospital, Birtle, Johnson Memorial Hospital, Gimli, Crearar Hospital, Winnipegosis and Sacred Heart Hospital, Russell. Sr. Celestine was predeceased by her parents Jacob and Anna, her siblings Kate, Mary, Julie, Sr. Monica, Stanley, Frank, Anne, Walter and Felix. She is survived by her two sisters, Violet Osika of Mississauga and Jean Polo, Toronto Ontario, niece Sr. Marcella Lambert, Russell, Manitoba, and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends as well as the members of the religious community. The Vigil Service will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Benedict's Monastery Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Benedict's Monastery Chapel presided by Msgr. Louis McCloskey and commendation by Sr. Virginia Evard, Prioress, with interment to follow in the Monastery cemetery. . Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made in Sr. Celestine's memory to St. Benedict's Foundation, 225 Masters Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R4A 2A1. The Sisters wish to express their gratitude to Dr. B. Gorski and the staff of St. Benedict's Health Care Centre and Seven Oaks General Hospital for their loving support and care of Sr. Celestine. May she rest in peace.