(April 7, 1932 - Novembr 5, 2012)
Word has been received of the death of Sister Viola Marie (Byrnes), who died at 12:40 p.m. on Monday, November 5, 2012, in Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, Indiana.
Sister Viola Marie always had a cause she was championing. From her earliest years in the congregation to her final ministry at Saint Mary’s, she busied herself with multiple projects over and above her primary responsibilities. Some of these were small, but never insignificant because they invariably had a ripple effect that impacted a particular cause or influenced people to join in her efforts. It could have been collecting tabs from soda pop cans for Ronald McDonald House or clothes for the St. Vincent de Paul store or organizing a small group of mentally challenged youngsters for catechism class — whatever the project Sister Viola Marie was totally involved.
She had an “outreach” attitude that was her own style of evangelization. Sister Viola Marie was always ready with a holy card, a pamphlet, a rosary or an offer of prayer for anyone who was open to her overtures. Her role as chaplain for the Saint Mary’s College volleyball and soccer teams fit perfectly into her pattern of living and praying. Though her arthritis was crippling, she made the supreme effort to be present for the games even if it meant having to be transported via golf cart. She was the number one cheerleader and supporter of these women athletes and was quick to ask for prayers on the occasion of a “tough” game.
In her 27 years as a teacher in the primary grades, Sister Viola Marie empathized with those who suffer small hurts, and she was able to soothe the pain with her kindness and understanding. It was therefore natural for her to make the easy transition of an attentive, concerned listener and take those skills to work with the poor and the elderly in Texas for her last 18 years of active ministry.
As a woman of deep faith Sister Viola Marie was drawn to the lives of Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau and St. André Bessette, examples of spiritual giants in Holy Cross. She spoke sincerely when she said, “Following the Rules [of the congregation] was the road to sanctity,” and she was strict in her own interpretation of this concept.
Sister Viola Marie had a great love of the congregation and was kind and thoughtful toward the sisters with whom she lived. She had 11 siblings, including Sister Mary Byrnes, CSC, and she was very devoted to them all. But her overwhelming love and esteem was for her mother, whom she characterized as “a tremendous woman of faith.” A small photo of her mother always held a prominent place in her bedroom wherever she was missioned. These two women of faith are now reunited. May Sister Viola Marie rest in peace.
Sister Viola Marie always had a cause she was championing. From her earliest years in the congregation to her final ministry at Saint Mary’s, she busied herself with multiple projects over and above her primary responsibilities. Some of these were small, but never insignificant because they invariably had a ripple effect that impacted a particular cause or influenced people to join in her efforts. It could have been collecting tabs from soda pop cans for Ronald McDonald House or clothes for the St. Vincent de Paul store or organizing a small group of mentally challenged youngsters for catechism class — whatever the project Sister Viola Marie was totally involved.
She had an “outreach” attitude that was her own style of evangelization. Sister Viola Marie was always ready with a holy card, a pamphlet, a rosary or an offer of prayer for anyone who was open to her overtures. Her role as chaplain for the Saint Mary’s College volleyball and soccer teams fit perfectly into her pattern of living and praying. Though her arthritis was crippling, she made the supreme effort to be present for the games even if it meant having to be transported via golf cart. She was the number one cheerleader and supporter of these women athletes and was quick to ask for prayers on the occasion of a “tough” game.
In her 27 years as a teacher in the primary grades, Sister Viola Marie empathized with those who suffer small hurts, and she was able to soothe the pain with her kindness and understanding. It was therefore natural for her to make the easy transition of an attentive, concerned listener and take those skills to work with the poor and the elderly in Texas for her last 18 years of active ministry.
As a woman of deep faith Sister Viola Marie was drawn to the lives of Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau and St. André Bessette, examples of spiritual giants in Holy Cross. She spoke sincerely when she said, “Following the Rules [of the congregation] was the road to sanctity,” and she was strict in her own interpretation of this concept.
Sister Viola Marie had a great love of the congregation and was kind and thoughtful toward the sisters with whom she lived. She had 11 siblings, including Sister Mary Byrnes, CSC, and she was very devoted to them all. But her overwhelming love and esteem was for her mother, whom she characterized as “a tremendous woman of faith.” A small photo of her mother always held a prominent place in her bedroom wherever she was missioned. These two women of faith are now reunited. May Sister Viola Marie rest in peace.