Aston, PA—Sister Irene Juras, OSF (formerly Sister John Celine), 85, died in Assisi House on June 28. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 65 years. Sister Irene was born in Cambridge, Maryland. Prior to her entrance into the congregation she was a member of Our Lady of Good Council Parish in Secretary, Maryland, and a graduate of East New Market High School. She entered the congregation in 1948 and professed her first vows in 1950. Sister Irene earned a B.S. in Education from Mt. St. Mary University. She ministered primarily in education and with senior citizens.
Sister Irene began her 32 years of ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia shortly after her profession as a Sister of St. Francis when she worked at the former St. Mary Hospital. She returned to the Philadelphia area in 1984 and lived at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston. She volunteered with both the retired sisters at Assisi House in Aston and with the residents of the Fair Acres Center in Lima. In 2003 she herself became a resident of Assisi House and served in prayer ministry until her death.
Most of Sister Irene’s earlier years in ministry (1951-1984) were spent primarily in Baltimore where she worked for 29 years. She taught at Immaculate Conception School in Towson, St. Clement School in Rosedale, SS. Philip and James School, St. Lawrence School, Shrine of the Little Flower School, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. She also worked at St. Joseph Medical Center. Additional ministry experience includes working in Wilmington, Delaware; Washington, DC; Bethesda, Maryland; North Augusta, South Carolina; and Naples, Florida.
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, Aston, Pennsylvania, 19014 on Wednesday, July 1. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M. followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial at will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Irene is survived by four sisters—Lil Juras, Loretta Juras, Marie Juras, Florence Tacchetti; nieces, nephews and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
