Sister Patricia McDonald, OP

Sister Patricia McDonald, OP, 73, of Sacred Heart Convent, died peacefully at 3:12 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse in Springfield. Sister Patricia was born in Chicago on April 6, 1932 to Francis and Helen O’Leary McDonald. Sister graduated from Mercy High School, Chicago, in June 1951 and was accepted as a postulant (candidate) by the Springfield Dominican Sisters in February 1952; she professed her vows in 1953. For 19 years Sister Patricia (then known as Sister M. Kilian) taught in Catholic parish elementary schools in Illinois and California. Schools in the Springfield Diocese included St. Maurice, Morrisonville and St. Kevin, East Alton. Sister’s next teaching assignment was at St. Bernadette School, Evergreen Park. For seven years Sister taught in southwestern California. In 1972 Sister Patricia went to the country of Peru where she enthusiastically ministered among the indigenous people in Lima and LaOroya; she was also formation director for the sisters who were native Peruvians. When Sister had to return to the states in 1999, she enjoyed a year’s sabbatical; then she ministered among the Hispanic people in Holy Cross, Kentucky and most recently in the southeastern Chicago area. Serious illness caused Sister Patricia to retire to the Motherhouse in March 2005. She embraced her last months of suffering and prayer just as she had embraced all assignments: with willing acceptance and love. Sister Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, her “second mother” Irene McInerney, and her brothers: Frank Jr and Kenneth. She is survived by her brother: John “Jack” McDonald of Barnett, MO; her sisters: Mary Howe of Alsip, IL and Eileen Amedro of St. Petersburg, FL; by several nieces and nephews; and by her Dominican Sisters with whom she lived and ministered for 53 years. Visitation will be held from 3:30 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe, Springfield. A Vigil Service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at Sacred Heart Convent with Rev. Peter Witchousky, OP, as presider. Final Commendation and Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 11, 2005. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. The family and Dominican Sisters of Sister Patricia McDonald is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.