Aston, PA—Sister Bernard Helene McGuire, OSF (92), died in Assisi House, on Wednesday, August 26, 2020. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 72 years. Sister Bernard was born Mary Helen McGuire in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a member of St. Paul Parish and a graduate of the Catholic High School of Baltimore. She entered the congregation in 1945 and professed her first vows in 1948. Sister Bernard earned a B.A. in Biology from Villanova University and a Masters of Physical Science from the Catholic University. She ministered primarily in secondary education and parish ministry

Sister Bernard Helene ministered in the Archdiocese of Baltimore for 47 years. She taught at Towson Catholic High School, the Catholic High School of Baltimore, and Cardinal Sheehan School. She also spent a term as a member of the provincial team for the former St. Joseph Province. In her later years, she worked in the gift shop at St. Joseph Hospital in Baltimore; in parish ministry at St. Stephen Parish in Kingsville; and as a volunteer and tutor at Mother Mary Lange School in Baltimore.  She also spent five years in local house ministry at St. Anthony Convent in Baltimore.

Additional ministry work included four years in the Diocese of Trenton where she taught at Holy Angels School. She also spent eight years in the Diocese of Harrisburg at Lancaster Catholic High School and one year teaching science at Holy Names High School in Reading in the Diocese of Allentown.

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, she taught at West Catholic Girls High School. In 2013, Sister Bernard Helene moved to Assisi House where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House on Tuesday, September 1, and will be private. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Bernard Helene is survived by her sister, Joan Dashiell; her brother, Francis McGuire; her sister, Betty Pirog; her cousin, Sr. Lynn Patrice Lavin, OSF; nieces and 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.

Read Sr. Bernard Helene’s memorial write-up.