Aston, PA—Sister Maria Gross, OSF, (formerly Sister Joseph Catherine), 96, died in Assisi House on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 74 years. Sister Maria was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of St. Bonaventure Parish and a graduate of Little Flower High School. She entered the congregation in 1948 and professed her first vows in 1950. She earned a BS in education from Villanova University and a MA in education from The Catholic University. She ministered primarily in education and administration.
Sister Maria ministered for 28 years in the Diocese of Trenton where she taught at Blessed Sacrament School for 13 years. She also served as a teacher and later principal at Holy Angels School in Trenton and as principal at St. Leo the Great School in Lincroft.
For 26 years Sister Maria served in various roles at St. John Vianney School in Orlando, Florida. She began as vice principal, then served in administration, before later becoming a volunteer.
In the Archdiocese of Boston, Sister Maria served for seven years as teacher and principal of Blessed Sacrament School in Walpole, as well as, one year at Our Lady of Assumption School in Lynnfield.
Additional ministry includes three years in the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama, where she taught at St. Joseph Regional School in Florence. She also taught for three years in the Harrisburg Diocese at St. Joseph School in York, as well as, one year at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Minersville in the Allentown Diocese. She also served for one year in local house ministry in the Diocese of Wilmington. In 2021, Sister Maria moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, Pennsylvania, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.
All services will be held in Assisi House on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, and will be livestreamed. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M. followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Maria is survived by her many nieces and nephews and her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
For a more personal write-up about Sister Maria, click here.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The livestream will begin at 9:30 A.M. To access the livestream, click here: https://www.youtube.com/live/t63wggdUsIU.
