Aston, PA—Sister Stella Mary Breen, OSF, 92, died in Assisi House on Saturday, March 26.  She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 70 years. Sister Stella Mary was born Julia Mary Breen in Kiskeam, County Cork, Ireland, where she was a member of Baherbue Parish. She entered the congregation in 1949 and professed her first vows in 1952.  Her sister, Sister Mary Breen, OSF, (deceased), was also a member of the congregation. Sister Stella Mary earned a BS in English from Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. She ministered primarily in education and parish/social services.

Sister Stella Mary ministered for 36 years in the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina. For 26 of those years, Sister Stella served in team ministry at the Franciscan Center, an outreach center on St. Helena Island.  While there, along with Sister Sheila Byrne, she specialized in helping the community with immigration and naturalization issues and added such programs as after school tutoring, religious education for Spanish-speaking children, and assistance with employment and housing needs. She also taught in the diocese at Our Lady of Peace School in North Augusta.

Sister Stella taught in the Catholic school system for more than 26 years.  Her ministry work in education included 10 years in the Diocese of Wilmington at St. Joseph School, St. Thomas School, and St. Ann School.  Sister Stella also spent six years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore serving at St. Clement School.  She spent two years in the Tallahassee/Pensacola Diocese, where she taught at St. Paul School in Pensacola; and six years at St. Egbert School, Morehead City, in the Raleigh Diocese. In addition, she spent two years ministering as liturgy coordinator at Our Lady of the Springs Church in Ocala, Florida, in the Orlando Diocese.

In ­­­­­2013, she moved to Assisi House in Aston, Pennsylvania, where she served in prayer and hospitality until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House on Thursday, March 31, at Assisi House. Viewing at 9:30 A.M. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Services will be live-streamed. Sister Stella Mary is survived by her brother, Thomas Breen (Mary); 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 on Sister Stella Mary, click here.

Live stream will begin at 9:30 A.M. Click here to access:
https://livestream.com/accounts/18363082/StellaMaryBreen