“To be a missionary is to go where you are not wanted, but are needed; and to stay until you are wanted, but not needed.”
Sister M. Rosalia Giba, OSF
may 5, 1937 - june 22, 2023
Sister M. Rosalia Giba, formerly known as Sister Petrina, a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, United States Province, died on June 22, 2023, at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa. She was 86 and in her 68th year of religious profession.
Sister entered the community from St. Gabriel Archangel Parish in the Northside of Pittsburgh in 1954 and professed her first vows in 1955 at Mount Assisi Convent Chapel in Pittsburgh. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Carlow College and a master’s degree in education from Duquesne University.
During her years of ministry, Sister Rosalia initially taught in elementary schools in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. She then taught and served as principal in the dioceses of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Altoona-Johnstown, San Antonio and Phoenix. From 1992 to 2003, Sister served in the Congregation’s mission in Antofagasta, Chile. Upon returning to the U.S., she ministered as director of religious education at a parish in Vail, Ariz. She also spent four years teaching English in the Slovak Province’s high school in Zilina.
When she moved to Mount Assisi Convent in 2014, she ministered in the Mount Assisi Academy Preschool office for four years, served as local minister for three years, and hospitality contact for five years. Since 2019, she has been an active participant in our prayer ministry while living at Mt. Assisi Place.
Sister Rosalia was the daughter of the late John Joseph and Julia (Poruba) Giba. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Sister Barbara, OSF; Sister Bernadette, OSF; Mary Giba; and Theresa Pappert; and her brother, Paul. She is survived by her brother, Anthony of Northside, Pittsburgh. She also is survived by her nephew, David, and several great nieces and nephews.
Sister Rosalia is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa.
1978
1960s
With youngsters at Mount Assisi Academy Preschool in 2016.