Sister Mary Ursuline, 103, a Felician Sister for 85 years, died in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY, on February 19, 2025. The former Josephine Hilinski was born on April 1, 1921, in Erie, PA. She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 7, 1939, and professed perpetual vows on August 6, 1947. After graduating from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, NY, Sister Ursuline earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Medaille College (Mount St. Joseph), Buffalo, NY, and a Master of Science in Home Economics Education degree from Syracuse University, in Syracuse, NY.
Sister Ursuline considered teaching a great responsibility, privilege, and joy, and demonstrated a great appreciation for each child as a person. She applied educational methodologies and provided varied learning experiences designed to meet the needs of every child. She instilled pride in her students by attractively displaying their work in the classroom. This love for children led her to minister as an educator for over thirty years in three different dioceses.
Sister Ursuline began her ministry as a Felician Sister at St. Josaphat School, Cheektowaga, NY, where she taught Grades 4 and 5. She ministered in Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Buffalo for twenty-two years. For six of those years, Sister Ursuline served as principal, first at Queen of Martyrs School, Cheektowaga, NY, and then, at St. Hyacinth School, Dunkirk, NY. She also ministered to the children at Infant Jesus Day Care, Perry, NY, and Guardian Angel Day Care Center, Buffalo, NY.
In the Diocese of Syracuse, she taught religious education classes at St. Joseph Parish, Boonville, NY, for six years. She was an elementary school teacher at St. Stanislaus Kostka School, Binghamton, NY, and at Sacred Heart School, Syracuse, NY. Sister Ursuline also taught Home Economics at Sacred Heart High School, Syracuse, NY, for four years. In the Diocese of Erie, PA, she ministered at Holy Trinity School as an intermediate grade teacher and then in parish ministry.
Beyond the field of education, Sister Ursuline was involved in parish ministry at St. Casimir Parish, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She was engaged in formation work at Holy Name of Mary Convent, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and at Immaculate Heart Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY.
In 1998, Sister Ursuline brought her talents to Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent where she was engaged in internal ministries, caring for the needs of her sisters in community. An excellent seamstress, she ran the provincial vestry, sewing and repairing items for the sisters. Always ready to serve, Sister Ursuline also found time to teach religious education classes at nearby St. Stanislaus Parish, assist as a secretarial aide, and work at the convent office.
After a full and active life, Sister Ursuline readily embraced a ministry of prayer and presence which not only nurtured her soul, but the lives of those around her, sisters and staff alike, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent. Blessed with quick wit and a capturing sense of humor, Sister Ursuline was a joy and a challenge to those around her. Never shy, always sharp and sporting an impish smile, she was a vibrant presence and often the “life of the party.” Being born on April Fool’s Day, she certainly embodied the mischievous and lighthearted humor associated with the day. However, there was a deeply spiritual side to Sister Ursuline that she embraced early in life. She cherished her personal relationship with God and spent many hours in prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Her eyes radiated her love of God and her soul-deep peace. Reaching a fruitful life of one hundred plus years, she was the beloved wisdom figure of her sisters in community. When celebrating sixty years in religious life, she remarked, “I thank God for my vocation. It’s been indeed a great honor and privilege to work in Christ’s vineyard as his spouse. I certainly consider myself blessed in many ways.”
Sister Ursuline is survived by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Angela (Rydzewski) Hilinski, her brothers, Tony and Leo Hilinski, and her sisters, Ann Cozza and Bernadette Hilinski.
A wake for Sister Ursuline will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 4 to 5 PM followed by an Evening Prayer Service at 5 PM in the convent chapel.
There will also be a viewing on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in the convent chapel. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.
The Mass will be live-streamed via Zoom. Please Click Here to watch live on Saturday morning. (You’ll need a “zoom” account prior to log in).
Interment will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.
Memorials may be made to Felician Sisters, 600 Doat Street Cheektowaga, New York 14211.