Sister Casimira Adasiewicz

Casimira Adasiewicz

 

Born to Life
October 27, 1921
Stambaugh, Michigan

Reception
June 13, 1939

Born to Eternal Life
January 18, 2021
Sacred Heart
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Interment
Mt. Olivet Cemetery
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

 

On October 27, 1921 a baby girl was born, the tenth child of Vincent and Elizabeth Adasiewicz in Stambaugh, Michigan.  Days later she was taken to Assumption Church and baptized Anastasia.  Both parents were born in Poland and migrated to the United States.  They shared their strong Catholic Faith and rich Polish culture with their eleven children. All the children attended Stambaugh Elementary School.

The strong family Faith nurtured several religious vocations.  Anastasia’s oldest brother became a diocesan priest, Father Casimir.  Her middle brother became a Pulaski Franciscan, Father Leo.  Her Sister Agnes became a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, Stevens Point.

When Anastasia was about twelve years old, she knew she wanted to be a Sister.  After eighth grade she wanted to enter the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis where her sister was, but they no longer had an Aspirancy and you had to be fifteen years old to enter.  Anastasia didn’t give up!  Her brother, Father Casimir, introduced her to the School Sisters of St. Francis who came to catechize at his parish during the summer.  These Sisters were happy to hear of her desire and soon plans were made.  Shortly after that, Anastasia met her friend Jeanette Wodzinski in town and said, “I’m going to the Convent.  Want to come along?”  Jeanette had often thought about wanting to be a Sister so she discussed the invitation from her friend with her parents and told them of her desire to become a Sister and they gave her their blessing. Soon Anastasia (age 13) and Jeanette, (age 15) would be on their way to St. Joseph Convent in Milwaukee, escorted by Anastasia’s brother, Father Casimir.

Anastasia began her high school education and was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1939 receiving the name Sister Casimira.  She was delighted to have a Polish Saint as her patron.

After obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree from Alverno College, Sister Casimira began her ministry in education.  For over thirty years she was teacher, organist, and principal, dedicating her life to children and families in large and small parishes in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa.

In 1971, making a change in ministry, she returned to St. Joseph Convent, Milwaukee and accepted the position of Supervisor of Housekeeping.  This ministry was one that no one else could have performed!  She was Supervisor of Housekeeping at St. Joseph Convent at a time when big changes occurred in Religious life.  Departments within the Convent closed: shoe room, clothing room, etc.   Convents closed and School Sisters of St. Francis’ furniture and supplies were brought to the Convent for storage.  Sister Casimira’s Supervisor’s office was the workshop and “supervision” for her was working with her faithful employees,  doing the physical labor.  She also worked graciously with all other department workers.

In any event, like the Convent Festivals, she was key to the set-up and other tasks.  She even got her sister, Sister Agnes, and her friend Sister Rosalie to come and lend a hand.  She was everywhere, in every corner where work needed to be done.  She only had time off to visit her sister and family in California.

She was very saving, a trait she learned from home, and did couponing with the help of many Sisters.  She saved many a penny for our Community.

In 1991 she gave up supervision, but volunteered for the next few years.  In 1997 she retired and shared life with the Sisters at St. Joseph Convent.  She was great at sponsoring seasonal parties.

Sister Casimira  participated in Liturgical ministries as crossbearer for many years.  She was a very devout and prayerful woman.  In her retirement years she spent many hours in the Adoration Chapel.

In December of 2019 walking became a real chore and Sister Casimira came to make her home at Sacred Heart.  She especially loved her place in the first row in Chapel, very close to the altar.

Sister Casimira had no illusion about wanting to be other than who she was.  She never wanted to be recognized.  God knows and recognizes all and will reward her generously for  the good she has done and for her faithfulness to her Franciscan vocation for over 80 years.  Rest in peace now, Sister Casimira, and rejoice in God’s presence forever.                 

Join Us in Remembering
Sister Casimira

We encourage you to share your loving memories of Sister’s life and ministry using the online form on this page. Your submission will be reviewed by the community and posted to this page promptly.

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A Recording of Sister’s Memorial Mass is Available for Viewing

You may watch a videorecording of Sister’s Memorial Mass on our Ustream channel: https://video.ibm.com/channel/school-sisters-of-st-francis

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