Sister Margaret Mary Kreider, former teacher at St. Anne, dies at age 88
IMMACULATA, PA.—Sister Margaret Mary Kreider of the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died March 26. She was 88 and had been a sister for 68 years.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Camilla Hall by Father William E. Dean on March 29.
Born in Philadelphia to the late Francis and Margaret Kreider, she was a member of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish. Sister Margaret Mary entered the congregation in 1946 and professed her vows in 1948. At the reception of her habit, she was given the name Sister May Alphonsus but later resumed use of her baptismal name.
Sister Margaret Mary taught in grades four through eight in the dioceses of Philadelphia, Trenton, Camden, and Arlington. In the Diocese of Charleston, she taught at St. Anne School in Rock Hill from 1985-1989. She also taught in South America.
She retired to Camilla Hall in August 2001.
She is survived by members of her religious community; two sisters, Mary Mooney and Nancy Seaver; nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews.
St. John of the Cross rosary makers enjoy a legacy of prayer
BATESBURG—A small group of parishioners at St. John of the Cross Church learned how to create plastic “Mission” rosaries and have made over 1,000 to share at retreats, in religious education classes and other churches.
Last fall, they sent 300 to a convent in Kentucky where they were given to people they serve through their ministries, such as the elderly, shut-ins and children.
Recently the group has been making hundreds of rosaries for recruits in basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia. A small group of volunteers at the fort prepare Prayer Packets for these trainees, which are distributed every Sunday at basic training Mass.
The packet includes a small crucifix, prayer cards for soldiers facing battle and personal challenges, and the rosary.
Approximately 7,000 Prayer
Packets are distributed annually, according to Toni Costello, the group coordinator. When the trainees are handed their packet they are told it is for their spiritual nourishment and to keep it next to their Meals Ready to Eat, Costello said.
She said a former trainee shared with the volunteers that he had seen a Catholic chaplain only twice during his tour in Afghanistan but used the Prayer Packet he received every
Sunday.
The packet recipients are also asked to pray their first rosary for the people who made them, Costello said. Juana Viruet and her sister Hilaria, two devoted members of the group, said they were touched by this. They work together at home.
Juana said it is a way to show her love and devotion to God and to the Church.
The group will continue making the rosaries for this ministry. A new box of supplies arrived recently and will keep them busy for many months to come.
Submitted by Ellen Sparks
Knights show appreciation
EASLEY—Knights of Columbus Council 9576 presented a Certificate of Appreciation March 27 to Aaron’s store manager David Cody for the company’s support of the Knights’ Operation H.O.P.E. (Tootsie Roll) campaign for 2013.
Campaign proceeds benefit adults and children with special needs in Pickens County.
St. Luke Church women’s retreat
EASLEY—The women of St. Luke Church celebrated their annual retreat “Refresh Your Spirit” at the Monastery of St. Clare in Traveler’s Rest on March 22 . Sister Mary Sheila Maksim, principal of St. Mary School, led the day of prayer, reflection and meditation.
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