[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 86 (Thursday, May 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E726-E727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF SISTER M. MAURICE WODARSKI, OSF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2018

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, on this Memorial Day weekend, I rise to 
remember the life of Sister M. Maurice Wodarski, a dedicated servant of 
the Franciscan Order of Sylvania, Ohio. Of proud Polish/American 
heritage, she left us for God's grace this past January. Throughout her 
blessed life, she tended souls so faithfully, generously, and jovially. 
The sparkle in her eyes revealed a loving heart. And her crisply ironed 
beige habit with veil alerted you: this was a woman of serious purpose. 
Sr. Maurice was on a mission and she had no time to waste.
  Having entered the convent from Nativity Parish in Toledo, OH in 
1951, Sister Maurice lived her vows of poverty, chastity and obedience 
as a dedicated woman of faith and service who ministered for over six 
decades indefatigably to the young, young at heart, the home bound, 
those in nursing homes, and veterans. For 35 years she taught the young 
minds of students in Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, and Maryland. She took 
great pride in teaching math, even helping other teachers decorate 
their bulletin boards, and instructing altar boys on Mass.
  Sister Maurice had a gift for helping the elderly. After teaching, 
she began working on the ministry of care for Rosary Hall at St. 
Vincent Medical Center in Cleveland, OH for the elder Sisters, and then 
later at the new Franciscan Nursing Care Center in Sylvania, Ohio. She 
had trained as a home health aide, and went on to care for the elderly 
individually in their homes for over two decades. She brought joy and 
compassion. And she worked very hard.
  A fierce and devoted advocate for veterans, Sister Maurice sought to 
honor her Korean War Veteran brothers who served in the Marines through 
her own service. She volunteered at the Toledo Community Veterans 
Outpatient Clinic, served as Chaplain for the Przybylski Post 642, and 
was a State Officer of the Ohio Chaplains. She received accolades for 
her veterans' work and was awarded the Volunteer of the Month in the 
VA's 2014 newsletter and the St. Agnes Medal from the National Catholic 
War Veterans Auxiliary. The St. Agnes Medal is the highest national 
honor a CWVA member can attain.
  On June 1, 2018, I will attend a tree planting in honor of our late 
Sister at the Veterans Clinic in Toledo. I could not think of a more 
appropriate setting, as her memory will live on inspiring and 
comforting the veterans she cared for and appreciated. Please allow me 
to share a favorite memory recalling the sunny day when ground was 
first broken to build the new clinic. Photos were being arranged for 
those present and we soon realized Sister

[[Page E727]]

Maurice was not to be found. Hurriedly, I rushed behind the stage and 
scaffolding to see if we could locate her and sure enough, I spotted 
Sister Maurice on her knees planting holy medals in the soil around the 
perimeter of what was to be the future new Veterans Clinic. That 
describes Sister Maurice. In her own words, ``I've always had a big 
heart for the veterans, watching them come home crippled and with 
health problems. I am happy that we are able to help them at the VA 
Clinic.'' I hope the tree will also serve as a reminder of the 
sacrifices our veterans give that fosters the altruistic support of 
such remarkable individuals as Sister Maurice.
  Sister Maurice's work and spirit will live on through her chosen 
Order-the Sisters of Saint Francis of Sylvania whom she loved. She will 
be fondly remembered and dearly missed for her dedication to God, 
service, and fellow men and women. Our country surely owes her a debt 
of gratitude.
  The hallmark of a public servant is to leave the world a better place 
for humanity after you leave it Sister Maurice Wodarski fulfilled her 
mission. May God bless her and keep her in celestial comfort and joy.

                          ____________________