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Sister Rosalie DiPeri, FMA

“Rosie” was born January 7, 1924 to a loving Italian family, in Paterson, New Jersey.  When she was five years old, her mother died and the family was torn apart. Her father took her and her sister “Maime” (Domenica, also a Salesian Sister) to St. Michael’s Orphanage in North Haledon, NJ, run by the Salesian Sisters.

Let’s let Sister Rosalie tell the story:

At five years of age, I became a permanent part of Mary Help of Christians, not only the school but of Our Lady as well.  There Mamie and I receive much tender loving care from the Sisters.

Now I look back on the fruitful, varied life God has given me and I am so grateful to my Dad, who, though he found it hard to let his favorite daughter go, gave his permission for me to enter with the Salesian Sisters.  The “yes” given to God’s call opened a wide and beautiful horizon of apostolates, places, friends, and Sisters that I could never have imagined.

I have loved and still love my Salesian life with all its myriad surprises and blessings.  Mary has always been my sure help and continues to be the guiding star of my life.

I enjoyed eleven summers at Camp Auxilium, especially converting “Mario’s Three Maple Lodge” into a camp for girls.  It was no easy task.

I am proud and happy to be Salesian Sisters and grateful to so many who have helped me be of service to others.  My motto has always been the one that Jesus used, “I come not to be served, but to serve.” I once told one of my Superiors that all the good and bad that I ever learned I learned from the Salesian Sisters in the USA.

She still loves kids…

Almost 96 years of age, Sister Rosalie says, “I enjoy my daily baths in the tub that SOAR! has provided the funding for.  It has been very therapeutic for me, since I have an arthritic back.”

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