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Sr. M. Joella Bielinski - 75 Years of Religious Life
Sister M. Joella Bielinski
Sister M. Joella Bielinski was born on October 15 in Chicago. She entered religious life on July 2, 1948, and professed her vows on August 12, 1951. As a postulant, Sister entered the ministry of education where she was assigned to teach third grade at St. Hedwig in Gary, Indiana, in 1948. Sister then taught in various schools in Chicago: fourth grade at Five Holy Martyrs (1950-1951), third grade at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr (1951-1952), and third grade at St. Florian in (1952-1953).
Sister then taught second and third grades at St. Adalbert in East Saint Louis, Illinois, (1953-1956) and first and second grades at SS. Philip and James in Cleveland, Ohio, (1956-1963). Sister was then assigned to teach second and third grades at St. Leo the Great in Cleveland from 1963 to 1970 and served as the local superior and local treasurer. Sister Joella has a Bachelor of Science in education from St. John College, in Cleveland.
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In 1970, Sister taught first grade at St. Louise de Marillac in LaGrange Park, Illinois, and served as both the local superior and local treasurer until 1971. Sister Joella then returned to St. Leo the Great until 1976, teaching first, second, and third grades. She was also the local superior and treasurer and served as the assistant principal there from 1972 to 1975.
In 1976, Sister Joella began a new chapter in her life as she transferred from the ministry of education to elder care. She began work that year at St. Anthony Home in Crown Point, Indiana, and served in pastoral care until 1977. She then served as an assistant administrator until 1984, and a vice president from 1976 to 1983. She was also a board member at St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point and was the local assistant superior during this time. From 1984 to 1986, Sister Joella worked as an assistant administrator and chaplain at Mount Alverna Home in Parma, Ohio. She also served as the local assistant superior and as a board member there from 1986 to 1990.
Sister Joella returned to Crown Point in 1986 and worked as a chaplain and in pastoral care at St. Anthony Medical Center until 1999. She was also the local assistant superior from 1988 to 1993. During this time, she volunteered at St. Matthias Parish in Crown Point, helping in various parish ministries. In 1999, Sister worked at the St. Anthony Convent in Crown Point. She continued in pastoral care and volunteered in other duties at the convent. Sister served as the local minister and local treasurer from 2005 to 2013. Sister Joella retired in 2013 and now resides at Our Lady of Victory Convent in Lemont. Congratulations to Sister Joella Bielinski on 75 years of religious life!