Sister Mary Stefana Osredkar, SND(Stefania Osredkar)December 16, 1944 – December 7, 2025Professed August 16, 1967
Stefania was born on December 16, 1944, in Yugoslavia, the fourth of eight children of Anton and Mariann (Bogataj) Osredkar. The family had moved from their farm in Slovenia to a camp in Austria, awaiting official permission to enter the United States. Stefania spent the first 8 years of her life with her grandfather on his farm. When she was in second grade, she received her travel visa and joined her family in Austria. On May 26, 1956, they arrived in Cleveland, Ohio. Taught first by the Ursulines at St. Mary School, and then by the Sisters of Notre Dame at St. Peter High School, Stefania’s favorite classes were English, Foods, Homemaking and bookkeeping.
The high school retreats were a spiritual advantage that complemented the family’s practice of their faith. Having considered religious life since the sixth grade, she told her family of her decision after graduating from high school in 1960. Her parents were shocked, but they were happy with her choice. On August 22, 1964, Stefania entered the Sisters of Notre Dame. At investment, she received the name Sister Mary Stefana.
Having cared for her younger siblings when both parents worked outside the home, Sister Stefana was well-versed in cooking, housekeeping, and the responsibilities of childcare. She spent 34 years in the ministry of Food Service, first at the Provincial Center in Chardon, OH, and then at St. Paschal Baylon Convent, Highland Heights, OH; Notre Dame Academy & Boarding School in Middleburg, VA; and at Notre Dame College and Regina High School, both in South Euclid, OH.
A new ministry opportunity opened for her in 2000, when she was assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Amherst, OH. For 15 years, she spent early mornings and late afternoons interacting with and watching over the school children in the Extended Care program. She was also on the Pastoral Care team, visiting people who were sick or home-bound. Returning to the Provincial Center in Chardon in 2019, Sister Mary Stefana gave five years to community service and the SND Prayer Line Ministry. The past three years of prayer, presence and praise were a blessing to her beloved family, her Sisters, and to all who knew her. On December 7, she passed from earthly life to eternal life. She fulfilled the deepest desire of her heart, as expressed in her autobiography: “…to come closer to God and to help people who are less fortunate than I am. I know I can do this better in religious life.”
The Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Mary Stefana will be celebrated on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center, 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon. It will be live-streamed here. Visitation will be from 9:30 until Mass begins.
To make a donation in memory of Sister Mary Stefana, please click here.
The post Sister Mary Stefana Osredkar, SND appeared first on Sisters of Notre Dame U.S.A..