RIP Sister Theresia Maria, CSJ, - Death of Beloved Religious Sister and Vocations Director at Age 49


Sister Theresia Maria, CSJ,  entered into eternal life this past Wednesday at Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, NY.  She was 49.  Sr. Theresia served the Archdiocese of Newark in many roles including in the Vocations Office as Associate Director and as both Director of Religious Vocations and Delegate for Religious.

Born Olga Hendrika Berendina Holtschlag on December 29, 1970 in Enschede, Netherlands to Mr. and Mrs. Wim Holtschlag. She entered Postulancy with the Congregation of the Apostolic Sisters of St. John on April 21, 1998 in Semur-en-Brionnais, France.

On August 30, 1999 she was received into the community as a novice. During her time in the novitiate, on January 3, 1999, she received the habit along with her religious name: Sister Theresia Maria of the Merciful Love.

After professing her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, on September 3, 2000 she was sent on mission for two years to Villecroze, France. Then, from 2002-2003 she was in formation at the priory of Rimont, France.

Following this, she served in Autun, France from 2003-2004. Sister professed final vows on September 12, 2004, and was assigned to the priory in Brignoles, France for the years of 2004-2007.

In the fall of 2007 she was sent as one of the founding sisters of the priory in East Orange, NJ where she served from 2007-2018. While in East Orange she served St. Joseph's Parish as DRE and catechist of the RCIA program.
She also served the Archdiocese of Newark working in the Office of Vocations and then as Delegate for Religious. In 2018 she was appointed Superior of the House of Formation in Princeville, IL where she served for one year.

In August 2019 she returned to East Orange, NJ.  

In thanksgiving for her "Yes" to Jesus and her service to His Church, join us as we pray for her, her family, and the Community of St. John.

Arrangements are as follows:
Viewing on Sunday, January 19, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, January 20, 2020 – 10:00 a.m.

Both services will be held at St. Joseph Church, 110 Telford St., East Orange, NJ

Burial will take place at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Edwards, Illinois.
20 Funeral Mass Monday, January 20 2020 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM St. Joseph Church East Orange, NJ 07018 
Source: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/10581118/Sr-Theresia-Maria-CSJ

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