On May 6, Sisters of the Redeemer gathered with family and friends to celebrate the religious Jubilees of three Sisters. Sr. Dorothy Rose Prahinski, a Diamond Jubilarian celebrated 60 years of consecrated life. Sr. Ellen Marvel and Sr. Janet Wingert celebrated 50 years of consecrated life. Each of these Sisters has spent many years in loving service to the poor, sick and needy in the spirituality of our Founder, Mother Alphonse Maria Eppinger.
Sr. Dorothy Rose, lovingly known as Sister Dottie, was born and raised in Philadelphia. She attended St. Francis de Sales School in the Southwest Philadelphia. After 8th grade her family moved to the Chevy Chase area of Washington D.C., but Sr. Dorothy remained connected with the Sisters of the Redeemer who were doing home care in St. Francis de Sales Parish. “Falling in love” with the charism, spirituality and mission, she entered the Congregation in 1955 and professed vows in 1958. Sr. Dorothy’s most cherished ministry was to children -especially the children of Drueding Center, a transitional housing center for homeless mothers and children.
Sr. Janet was also born and raised in Philadelphia, attending St. Williams School in the Lawncrest section of Philadelphia . She attended Melrose Academy High School, operated by the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart. While in high school Sister Janet volunteered at St. Joseph Manor and first encountered the Sisters there. Sister Janet graduated from Gwynedd Mercy College with her B.S. in nursing and ministered to the sick at several hospitals. It was while working at Holy Redeemer Hospital that she decided to enter the congregation but the call first came to her during her years volunteering and seeing the Sisters’ interactions with the people and their holistic care. Later, having completed a clinical pastoral education, Sr. Janet served on the spiritual care team of Holy Redeemer Health System, serving at Holy Redeemer Hospital, Holy Redeemer Lafayette and St. Joseph Manor. Sr. Janet’s most cherished times in ministry were of her time as chaplain at Lafayette, pastoral care in general with a variety of not only patients but staff in the hospital elder services and her many years in home care. She still enjoys spending one on one time with people in short-term rehabilitation and visiting persons the Congregation has befriended through the years.
Sr. Ellen grew up in Darby, PA and came to know of our Sisters through volunteering as a candy striper at St. Ignatius Nursing Home.
She attended Blessed Virgin Mary School and Archbishop Prendergast High School. Later, Sr. Ellen completed her B.S. degree in Nutrition from Immaculata College and later a Masters in Nutrition Education. Sr. Ellen ministered many years in food services at both Holy Redeemer Hospital and St. Joseph Manor. Her most cherished ministry was as Executive Director of Drueding Center. Currently, Sr. Ellen is serving as a Provincial Leader and treasurer of the Congregation.