“As a Franciscan, I am called to live out our charism — living in intimate union with Christ in the midst of apostolic work. It is a continuous conversion. It is the work of a lifetime.”
Sister M. Amata Shina, OSF
FEBRUARY 28, 1931 - OCTOBER 26, 2022
Sister Mary Amata (Martha) Shina, a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis of the United States Province, died on October 26, 2022, at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. She was 91 and in her 74th year of religious profession.
Martha was born on February 28, 1931, to Anna Budias and Joseph Shina in Northampton, Pa. She had two brothers and two sisters. Both of her sisters also entered religious communities: Sister M. Sophie, MSC (deceased) and Sister M. Rosaria, OSF. Her father was employed as a machine repairman. Her mother was a devoted homemaker. Both were of Slovak descent.
She attended Wolf Elementary and Blessed Virgin Mary grade schools in Northampton and Mount Assisi Academy high school in Pittsburgh. Sister Amata entered the community in 1947 from Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Northampton, Pa. She professed first vows in 1948 and, in August 1953, made her final profession at Mount Assisi Convent in Pittsburgh, Pa. She received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in English literature from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J.
Sister taught at the middle and junior high levels from 1948 to 1962 at parish schools in the Pennsylvania towns of Tarentum, McKees Rocks, Farrell and Emmaus, as well as in Jersey City, N.J. She spent the next five years teaching English at St. Francis Academy in Bethlehem, Pa., serving as principal from 1967 to 1978. She also ministered in Hellertown, Pa., and at Central Catholic High School in Allentown, Pa., before returning to the provincialate at Monocacy Manor, where she served as director of ministry for the Sisters.
Sister Amata later spent 21 years at the Catholic Community of St. Matthias in Somerset, N.J., as school principal and, later, as pastoral administrator for the parish. She was recognized for her innovative vision in education and, during her years as principal, received numerous awards and recognitions. Her assistance in acquiring tuition grants and the attentiveness and compassion she gave to the students and their families will always be remembered.
Sister Amata was elected as a provincial councilor of the Bethlehem Province for two terms, serving as provincial secretary for one of those terms. She was elected to the provincial council again some years later and served there in the ministry office.
In her later years, she was a faithful participant in the province’s Powerhouse of Prayer ministry, and as needed, used her English and grammar skills to assist others in their writing projects.
Sister Amata was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph T. and Anna (Budias) Shina; her brothers, Joseph and Edward; and her sister, Sister Sophie Shina, MSC (Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart). She is survived by her sister, Sister M. Rosaria Shina, and her religious community.
The following are memories of Sister Amata shared by the Sisters and others whose lives she touched.
From mesmerizing her students with renditions of British poetry and Shakespeare to terrorizing them with meticulous corrections of research papers, Sister Amata was an excellent educator throughout her life. Her students at St. Francis Academy in Bethlehem would often tease her that she kept the red pen industry in business, yet they truly appreciated her preparing them for the university level of study. Her love of education continued throughout her life, and wherever she went she raised the level of education through her strong demands for excellence not only in others but especially in herself. Yet during all these years of dedicated educational ministry, Sister Amata never failed to be an active member of the congregation, serving on the provincial council and general chapters. Her writing skills were used extensively for chapter statements and congregational documents, as well as manuscripts written by Sisters in other countries who needed translations proofed before publication.
Sister Amata possessed a strong faith throughout her life, and was a model of growing older with grace, accepting her limitations, yet utilizing the abilities that remained until the end.
Sister Amata was my wonderful English teacher at St. Francis Academy over 50 years ago. I would often tell her that because of her expert teaching on how to write research papers, I looked forward to doing research in college, while most students dreaded it! Over the past few years, Sister Amata was my prayer partner in the community, and she would take time to write to let me know that she was praying for me. I treasure those notes of prayer and support.
What a beautiful humble and smiling sister! Sister Amata is a model of long suffering with a fighting spirit for as long as God desires. The depth of her giftedness was for what God wanted her to do, and she gave her gifts back wherever God placed her, and with such grace. Sister wanted to make a difference in our needy world, and that she did,“par excellence” for the glory of God!
Sister Amata was a woman of great integrity, seeking the truth in herself and others. She was an outstanding high school English teacher, making literary figures come alive to her students. Many of her students returned, saying that they taught their fellow college classmates how to write a term paper. As a principal, she was fair, kind, and always trying to bring out the best in the students. Though firm, she loved the students, and they knew it. In her later years at Monocacy Manor, she was still learning and using her skills to help others … with a smile.
I remember Sister Amata as my grade school teacher at the former St. Clement parish school in Tarentum, Pa. She really taught me so much about God’s love and care for me. And she especially taught me to be respectful, helpful, polite and kind to others. I also saw her in community as deeply spiritual, thoughtful and caring.
Until the very end, Sister Amata had a teacher’s heart. After she came to Monocacy Manor, she continued to promote the scholarship fund for St. Matthias School. She continued to be interested in the active ministries of the Sisters, and often asked about the stories of my ESL students, sharing my joy when she heard of their progress. She was also an avid reader! She recommended books and lent them to other sisters.
As a principal, Sister Amata had the gift of being able to obtain the cooperation of the faculty and parents. She provided for the spiritual needs for all with whom she interacted. She was happy being a sister and was happy in her ministry. She was a gentle person, but firm in making sure there was justice for everyone, and that their needs were recognized and met. She enjoyed the fine arts, and loved playing games.
Sister Amata was generous in using her God-given gifts and talents in serving our community and those to whom she ministered.
She was one of the kindest and most capable people I have worked with over the years. She oversaw the transformation of St. Matthias school into one of the largest and finest parochial schools in our diocese.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on October 29, 2022, by Rev. Msgr. Edward Sacks and Father Venantius Karobo, AJ in Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel at Monocacy Manor. She is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa.