Sister Mary Christin

SISTER MARY CHRISTIN                   ND 6476
(formerly Sister Mary Anne Christin)
Eugenia Maria ALFIERI

Christ the King Province, Chardon, Ohio, USA

Date and Place of Birth: July 10, 1952 Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Profession: August 15, 1973 Chardon, Ohio
Date and Place of Death: June 7, 2013 Provincial Center, Chardon
Date and Place of Funeral: June 15, 2013 Chardon, Ohio
Date and Place of Burial: June 15, 2013 Resurrection Cemetery, Chardon, Ohio

“Let the little children come to me.”

“For the Lord is the Giver of life to all. He has brought me into the world to do great things – so I must give Him my life, my total self, for His service.” (autobiography) It was on the Feast of the Sacred Heart that God embraced the human life of Sister Mary Christin and gifted her with eternal life. Sister’s sudden and unexpected death shocked and saddened her family, her Sisters and all with whom she has ministered.

Eugenia (Jeanne) Maria was welcomed by her parents, Bernard and Frances (Tambascio) Alfieri, her brother and two sisters and surrounded by the love of extended family and neighbors. Her rich Italian heritage was a source of great pride. She attended St. Philomena Elementary School, Cleveland, and then Regina High School, South Euclid. In her junior year, the family moved to Mayfield Heights, Ohio, and St. Francis of Assisi Parish. At Regina, Jeanne was challenged and inspired to choose a profession that would be of service to others. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame on August 22, 1970.

Sister Mary Christin received a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame College, South Euclid; a master’s degree from John Carroll University, University Heights; and a second master’s degree from Ursuline College, Pepper Pike, Ohio. Sister ministered as an educator for thirty-eight years, the last twenty-six at St. Helen School, Newbury, Ohio.

Whether as teacher of primary grades, preparing hundreds of children for the reception of  the sacraments, or as principal, Sister had a passion for Catholic education. She loved children and nurtured every aspect of their development. Her understanding and compassionate heart was open to all, especially children. Sister was dedicated to the needs of the parish and the greater civic community. Always enthusiastic and energized by life-giving moments found in sometimes hidden places – in children, friends, nature and music – she never missed an opportunity to support and promote Catholic education.

Sister Mary Christin strove to create a faith-filled environment all around her where each person could grow and thrive as a child of God. Sister wrote: “I want to give everything, my whole life. I don’t want God’s work to only be my profession, I want it to be everything to me. I want to make the world aware of truth…aware of God and His presence.” (autobiography) May Sister Mary Christin now be encompassed by the limitless love of our good and gracious God.