Sister Consolata Kralovensky
June 16, 1919 - March 12, 2009
Sister M. Consolata (Agnes) Kralovensky, OSF died on March 12, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pa. She was 89 and in her 68th year of religious life.
Sister was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., to John and Susan (Pucan) Kralovensky. Her father was a laborer, and her mother was a devoted mother of six. When Agnes made her First Holy Communion, her prayer was to become a religious. While attending religious education classes at St. Francis Xavier Church in Pittsburgh, the example of a Sister of Mercy attracted her to the religious life. She later met the School Sisters of St. Francis when they prepared her to receive the sacrament of Confirmation at St. Gabriel Church on Pittsburgh’s North Side.
Agnes’ religious calling became stronger and, while attending Oliver High School, she considered joining a community of sisters working with African children. Her mother encouraged her to join the School Sisters of St. Francis at Mount Assisi Convent and helped her with her dowry and other needed items.
Agnes was received into the community in August 1938, given the name of Sister Consolata, and made first vows in August 1941. Her first assignment was to St. Michael Convent in New Castle, Pa., where she helped the sisters with cooking and other domestic duties. From 1945 to 1947 Sister Consolata was at SS. Cyril & Methodius Convent in Boonton, N.J., where she taught religious education classes on weekends.
She returned to Mount Assisi Convent and made her final profession in August 1947. Sister Consolata taught kindergarten and religious education classes at schools in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. From 1957 to 1985, she taught the middle grades in Webster, Mass., and in the Pennsylvania towns of Emmaus, Bethlehem, Northampton, Hellertown, Erie and Barnesboro.
Sister Consolata remained a teacher for 53 years, serving children in preschool, kindergarten, primary and middle grades and religious education classes. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Mount Mercy College (Carlow University) in Pittsburgh, Pa.
From 1985 to 1993 Sister Consolata taught preschool in Center Township, Pa., and then came to Mount Assisi Convent, where she was active at Mount Assisi Academy Preschool until 2002. She retired from teaching only after her painful arthritic condition made it difficult to continue working with children.
Sister Consolata will be remembered for her patient cheerfulness, which won the hearts of people and made them feel at home in her presence. She had a joyful smile and a kind heart and loved playing cards with the sisters after the evening meal. Many sisters have fond memories of the delicious meals and desserts she prepared. Sister Consolata had a great love for the children she taught and, without seeking it, won their love in return.
Sister Consolata is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa.