Sister Mary Agnes Kirsch, SC (formerly Sister Mary Otto), age 85, died at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Greensburg, on September 10, 2021.
Born in Nicktown, PA, Sister Mary Agnes entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1953, from Saint Nicholas Parish, in Nicktown. Preceded in death by her parents, Alcuin J. Sr. and Frances E. (Becker) Kirsch, and four brothers: Rembrant, Hilary, Henry, and Raymond. She is survived by three brothers: Alcuin Jr., Archie, Leo and four sisters: Mrs. Luella Stack, Mrs. Marlene Baumann, Mrs. Claudia Opfar, Mary Berenice Kirsch, and nieces and nephews.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Seton Hill University and a master’s degree in reading from the University of Arizona. For 44 years she taught students of the primary level in diocesan schools of Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and Tucson.
In 1999, Sister Mary Agnes began ministry as a pastoral associate at Immaculate Conception Parish and then at Partner Parishes in Connellsville. Her responsibilities included coordination of the religious education program for children, the youth group program, the summer bible school program, and the RCIA program. She also assisted pastors by taking the Eucharist to sick and homebound parishioners, meeting with engaged couples, preparing altar servers, and leading vigil services for deceased parishioners at the funeral home.
In 2017, Sister Mary Agnes focused her attention on collecting and organizing materials relating to the history of the seven parishes that existed in the Connellsville area. Upon her retirement that year, the parishioners of the Partner Parishes recognized Sister Mary Agnes as their first archivist. In honor of her 18 years of loving service to the faith community, they designated the space that houses the collection of artifacts as “The Sister Mary Agnes Kirsch Room: Archives of the Connellsville Catholic Community.” During her retirement years at Caritas Christi, Sister Mary Agnes continued to live a life of service with volunteer activities. She loved to crochet beautiful shawls, scarves, and dresses for dolls that she donated to disadvantaged families.
Of her life as a Sister of Charity, Sister Mary Agnes stated, “During my years of teaching, I found myself continuing to grow in the wonder and love of God in creation and in others. I also found myself overwhelmed as I met Christ in those I ministered to each day. I pray that, when I was with them, they could see Christ in me and hear His words through me as we talked and prayed together.”
Arrangements:
Visitation: Monday, September 13, 2021 2‒7 PM
Vigil: Monday, September 13, 2021 7 PM
Funeral Mass: Tuesday, September 14, 2021 10:00 AM
Caritas Christi Motherhouse
129 DePaul Center Road
Greensburg, PA 15601
The funeral liturgy will be live-streamed; access through the link: https://venue.streamspot.com/2af9e1eb
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Charity, De Paul Center, 144 DePaul Center Road, Greensburg, PA 15601. For more information visit the website, www.scsh.org.
