Sister Teresia Spodnik, SSND
March 29, 1920 - May 15, 2025
On Palm Sunday, March 29,1920, a tornado hit Connecticut, but more important was the birth of baby Irene to John George and Mary Elzabeth (Burchik) Spodnik. Three weeks later she was baptized at St. John Nepomucene Parish in Bridgeport. Irene was the oldest sister of Leo, Rosemary, and Lawrence. When she was seven, Irene received her First Holy Communion and asked Jesus to make her a sister like the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND), who frequently stopped in her yard on their way to church and school.
The Spodnik home was rich in religious tradition and vocations. Among them were Sister Quintina, SSND, her uncle Fr. Paul Spodnik, Sisters Teresia, Rosemary and their brother Father Leo. The parish where the future Sister Teresia was baptized became the venue for all her activities. She became an accomplished pianist, polka dancer, and she accompanied her Gym Society to interstate competitions.
The Great Depression affected the Spodniks, and her father lost his job and the family store. After the two- year course at St. John’s, and a summer job to pay for her trunk and convent clothes, sixteen-year-old Irene applied to Mother Philemon for entrance. She received the candidate’s bonnet at St. John’s convent on August 28, 1936. As a postulant, she completed her high school education at the Motherhouse. Irene received the name Teresia at reception into the novitiate, professed her vows on July 27, 1939, and made her final profession on July 27, 1945.
Sister Teresia’ first mission was to Holy Family in Brooklyn, New York. She described the five years she spent there as a true test of her vocation. She taught grades 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, baked hosts, and played the church organ. This mission was followed by assignments in Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Connecticut, and then to St. Peter in Cambridge, Massachusetts where she taught grade six through high school and was leader of the local convent community.
In 1978, Teresia began a long career of service to our sisters in the Wilton Motherhouse (Villa Notre Dame). She had recently received her master’s degree in gerontology and home economics from Simmons College and was well qualified for the various positions she held over the years. They included pastoral minister, kitchen manager, and Coordinator of Senior Sisters. A refreshing nine -month sabbatical brought her to the Renewal Center in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. This time also provided an opportunity to visit the health care centers in the SSND mid-west provinces. When Lourdes Health Care Center was licensed, she became the only SSND on the medical team.
After several years of retirement at Villa Notre Dame, Teresia was among the pioneer SSNDs who went to Ozanam Hall in Queens where she and her sister Rosemary, SSND were together again.
On the morning of May 15, Teresia quietly and peacefully surrendered her spirit into the arms of her Loving Father and joined her parents and brothers, Fr. Leo and Larry.
On May 27, there was a brief viewing for the Ozanam community followed by a Mass of Transferal in the chapel. The next day a wake service and Mass of Resurrection were celebrated at St. Andrew in Bridgeport. Reflections were offered at the wake service by Sisters Shawn Kavanagh and Mary Roy Weiss, and Teresia’s nephew Christopher. Fr. John Savard, S. J. celebrated the Mass and offered a eulogy. Teresia’s niece Kara Pansa and Sister Eileen Shea were lectors, Sister Ginny Muller led the intercessions, and Sister Anne McCarthy served as Eucharistic Minister. Burial was at St. Mary Cemetery in Bethel, Connecticut.
By S. Cathy Feeney, SSND
