Sister Antonia Marie Groszkowski

In the beautiful month of May, on the 21st day, a beloved Child of Mary and a Daughter of Blessed Mary Angela, Sister Antonia Marie Groszkowski succumbed to Sister Death at 11:15 p.m. at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey. She was 91 years old and a beloved member of the Felician Sisters for 72 years.
Born to Ignatius Groszkowski and Antoinette Redyk in Baltimore, Maryland, Theresa, as she was baptized, was nurtured in a deeply Catholic atmosphere together with her three siblings, two brothers, and one sister. The children attended the parish school of Holy Rosary, where under the tutelage of the Felician Sisters, they grew in the knowledge of their Catholic faith and developed a love for Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the sacramental life.
Sister Antonia felt the stirrings of a vocation but postponed her entrance to the Felician Sisters until after she completed her four years at the Catholic High School of Baltimore. Because her parents wanted her to be sure of this decision, she sought employment after high school to please them. She accepted secretarial work at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, and then held a similar position with the government in Essex, Maryland.
Finally, she entered the postulancy of the Felician Sisters in Lodi, New Jersey, on August 11, 1950. A year later, on August 11, 1951, she entered the novitiate. At the Rite of Initiation, she received the name Sister Mary Dulcilia, but after Vatican II, she changed it to Sister Antonia Marie.
On August 12, 1952, she pronounced her temporary vows, and six years later, on August 12, 1958, her perpetual vows. Destined for the teaching ministry, she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, followed by an MA in Reading also from Seton Hall. In addition, she also earned a Certificate in Administration and Supervision.
Her educational ministry was vast and successful. For 23 years, she taught in various Felician Schools in New Jersey, and for 25 years, she served as a principal.
She enjoyed wonderful rapport with parents, other teachers, and most of all with the children who lovingly adhered to all her demands. Each child was special to her and deserved her devoted attention. Supervisors acclaimed her for her dedication, preparation of lesson plans, and her forte in teaching reading to every child.
After almost five decades in elementary schools, Sister Antonia turned to the ministries of religious education and pastoral care in varied capacities. She became totally involved as director of RCIA, coordinator of religious education, catechist, visitor of the sick and homebound for the parish and nursing homes, Eucharistic minister, and lector.
She loved being a Felician Sister, following in the footsteps of Blessed Angela, Saint Francis, and Saint Felix. She cherished every opportunity for community experiences with her sisters in Christ.
Her devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska, foundress of the Felician Sisters, inspired her in her ministerial life.
Sister Antonia was called upon to teach English as a Second Language, and she was a source of encouragement to employees, immigrant priests, seminarians, and Sisters from the Polish or Brazilian provinces or other religious communities. She insisted on perfect pronunciation, and if you passed her classroom, you heard her drilling
the words: "thin," "thimble" as opposed to the hard "th" sound: "then," "therefore." Over and over again, the bewildered students wondered what the fuss was all about. Yet, she insisted that they master these sounds of the English language.
She was eventually placed on the skilled care floor of Immaculate Conception Convent for the final years of her life. Sister suffered diminishment, lack of mobility, aching bones, and aging. But an infection and the inability to breathe took her to Hackensack University Medical Center for the last days of her life. She died peacefully.
Sister Antonia is survived by her brother Raymond Groszkowski of Maryland and her sister Constance Pugh of North Carolina, as well as nieces, nephews, and other members of her
extended family. She is mourned by her Felician Sisters, students, colleagues, friends, and
parishioners.
The funeral Mass for Sister Antonia Marie was offered in Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel in Lodi on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Burial followed in the Felician Sisters' Cemetery in Lodi. Her funeral services took place at the same time as Sister Mary Edwardanne Murtha, who died on May 22. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord. May she rest in peace.