Sr Monica Swirczynski

Sister M. Monica Swirczynski, a member of the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent for 72 years, died April 12, 2021. She was 88 years old.

Josephine “Joan” Antoinette was born in Muenster, Texas to the late Herman and Catherine Swirczynski. The example of her aunts, Sister Helen Swirczynski and Sister Agatha Knaupf, inspired her to enter Holy Angels Convent. She graduated from Holy Angels Academy and entered the community in 1948. After making First Vows in 1950, she began her 48-year teaching career at Holy Souls School in Little Rock. She made Perpetual Vows in 1954, and celebrated her 70-year Diamond Jubilee in 2020.

Sister Monica earned her BA in Education from Mount St Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas, and pursued further studies at Arkansas State University. During her years as an educator, she mostly taught upper grades at many Catholic schools in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. She then served 20 years as Community Secretary at Holy Angels Convent, and Secretary to St Bernards Healthcare and Medical Center Governing boards. Sister also served as Subprioress under Sister Mary Anne Nuce from 2009-2011.

During her retirement, Sister Monica supported the community with her prayers and shared her happy memories of teaching and Religious Life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Clifford and Max Swirczynski. She is survived by her Sisters in community; siblings, Edna, Mary, John, Virgil, and Ricky; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be at Holy Angels Convent on Wednesday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m., with the Rosary and Night Prayer at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 15, at 10:00 a.m. in the convent chapel, and interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery on the convent grounds. Services are open to the public with masks required.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Holy Angels Convent Retirement Fund, 1699 CR 766, Jonesboro, AR, 72405.