Sister Mary Stella Wagner, formerly Sister Ann, entered religious life from Holy Rosary parish in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood. Of who most influenced her decision to enter religious life, she says, "I greatly admired and wanted to imitate the Sisters of St. Joseph who educated me; later, the Sisters of Divine Providence with whom I taught school."
Sister Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Duquesne University and a Master of Science from Clarion State College. Her teaching ministry, which began in 1956, spanned almost 27 years. During this time, she taught and was principal in schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, as well as throughout Pennsylvania and Detroit. She was the director of financial aid for the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh (1984-95); specialist in the Office of the Registrar at La Roche College in Allison Park, PA (1997-2001); co-director for the Sisters at Providence Heights (2002-03); sacristan at Providence Heights (2003-06); and volunteer caregiver at Providence Day Care South in Castle Shannon, PA (2007-08). Since 2008, she has been a retreat ministries volunteer at Kearns Spirituality Center. She says, “I strive to make God's Providence visible in my ministry by being cheerful and unselfish, always a welcoming presence to others. ... (The most rewarding aspect of my religious life has been) enabling students, both at La Roche College and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, to achieve academic goals and forming loving and lasting friendships with co-workers.”
Self-described as blessed to be creative, alert to detail and supportive, Sister Mary enjoys knitting afghans, sewing, designing patterns and working with fabrics, as well as watching golf and raising African violets.
CLICK HERE to make a gift in honor of Sister Mary's 65th Jubilee.