Our Lady of the Angels Province

Enfield, Connecticut

eginning in 1892, Felician Sisters traveled from Michigan, New York, and New Jersey to begin 40 years of missionary work in New England, where they assumed charge of 21 schools and a charitable institution for working women. The long-distance travel was time-consuming and difficult.

By 1932, when the Felician province in Lodi, New Jersey, had more than doubled in membership, a division led to the formation of Our Lady of the Angels Province, with the transfer of 322 sisters. Mother Mary Annunciata Bretschneider, the first provincial superior, sought a provincial house in New England, centrally located to ministries and capable of housing a juniorate, novitiate, and preparatory teacher-training center.

A year later, she purchased the Longview estate in Enfield, CT, which included the 100-year-old Orrin Thompson mansion. Amid the Great Depression, the foundational years of Our Lady of the Angels Province were focused on providing adequate facilities and time for sisters to receive teacher training and fulfill the Constitution’s directive for their growth in the Congregation. They managed to expand on the property with additional living space and an infirmary.

In 1944 against the backdrop of World War II, the sisters purchased a neighboring estate to make room for an academy, and three years later, more property near the convent, allowing them to open a kindergarten. In 1947, the province assumed administration of a hospital in Bangor, Maine. With the help of a women’s auxiliary, the hospital was modernized and has been praised as an outstanding contribution to the citizens of Bangor.

After decades living in cramped quarters, in 1957, a new and spacious provincial house was constructed under Mother Mary Laura Sentkowski. The red brick Romanesque convent, trimmed in white limestone with a belfry cupola tower was dedicated before hundreds of sisters and clergy and a crowd of 6,000 visitors from across New England.

History Books of This Province
Check with the archives for availability.

Blazing New England Trails: Love and Service, 1932-1970
By Sister Mary Amadeus Ruda

God's Marvelous Deeds: The Felician Sisters in New England, 1976-2009
By Sister Constance Marie Tomyl

Milestones

1892

Present in New England

Felician Sisters had already been present in New England, teaching at St. Joseph School in Webster, MA, as well as other parochial schools for 40 years before the establishment of the Felician province in New England.

1932

Our Lady of the Angels Province Founded

The Felician Sisters established their New England provincial headquarters in Enfield, CT, on the site of the historic Longview Estate, also known as the Orrin Thompson Estate. Mother Mary Annunciata Bretschneider oversaw the restoration of the 100-year-old estate, which had fallen into disrepair.

1944

Our Lady of the Angels Academy Established

Lacking room for an aspirancy, Felician Sisters in Enfield purchased the neighboring historic Graham Estate with a small cottage on 12 acres. The academy opened that year with 17 girls enrolled. Within seven years, day students were admitted, and by 1957, larger quarters were required.

1947

Purchase of St. Joseph Hospital

Felician Sisters transformed the former Paine Hospital in Bangor, ME into the largest community hospital in the state. From its first administrator, Sister Mary Humilia Szczepaniak, to Sister Mary Norberta Malinowska as its president and CEO in 1982, the hospital has transformed to meet the needs of the community.

1949

Our Lady of the Angels Kindergarten Opened

To meet the educational needs of the growing baby boom, provincial superior Mother Mary Catherine Bembenek purchased neighboring property to open a kindergarten with 34 children enrolled in its first year.

Pictured is SM Angelora Floryan, one of the first teachers, along with Sister Mary Michaeline Jurgielewicz, and Sister Mary Innocentia Osmialowska

1950

Our Lady of the Angels Junior College Established

An outgrowth of their teacher-training institute, the junior college had a two-year program and was affiliated with Catholic University of America. In 1970, the school became coeducational and was renamed Longview College.

Longview College closed in 1972.

1955

First Annual Lawn Party

Volunteers, relatives, and supporters generously helped the Felician Sisters in Enfield to throw this much-loved event that attracted thousands, many from out of state, and some who chartered buses to attend.

1957

Dedication of New Provincial House

Mother Mary Laura Sentkowska oversaw the construction of the awaited provincial complex that would adequately house the Felician Sisters in Enfield, CT. Archbishop Henry J. O'Brien presided at the dedication, and an estimated 6,000 visitors came to see the new motherhouse.

1965

Enfield Montessori School Opened

Sister Mary Aniela Urbanek founded the school after studying the Montessori educational approach. From a class of 10 students, the school grew, adding classes and expanding its program. Thriving for more than five decades, approximately 175 students now attend classes in a renovated facility on the Felician Sisters’ campus.

1970

Sale of Longview Health Care Center

Amidst the construction of a nursing home and rehabilitation facility intended to be named Longview Health Care Center, Felician Sisters fell short of funds. To avoid bankruptcy and a lawsuit, the project was sold to The Little Sisters of the Poor and renamed St. Joseph Residence for the Elderly.

1986

Original Felician Heritage Center Dedication

The Felician Congregation’s general administration in Rome requested a U.S.-based central archive, a duplicate of the sisters’ archive in Rome. Sister Mary Simplicia Wytrwal of the Buffalo province came to Enfield in 1983 to organize the former Longview College Library Learning Center to archive historic documents, books, and artifacts chronicling the international Felician Congregation’s growth and evolution.

1987

Official Peace Site

Felician Sisters in Enfield dedicated Our Lady of the Angels as the first peace site in Connecticut.

On October 4, 1987, the feast of St. Francis, a Peace Site was dedicated on the provincial house grounds before the statue of St. Francis outside the chapel. From left: S Marie JoAnn Lewko, Provincial Superior MM Landeline Ptasienski, SM Alexander Mazur, and State Representative William Kiner.

1990

Felician Adult Day Care Opened

Sister Mary Augustine Kloza established the Felician Adult Day Care Center to provide day care for seniors in frail health or with cognitive disabilities, and also to give caregivers a break. A year after opening, 15 seniors had found a “home away from home” on the Felician campus where they enjoyed days of individualized care, enrichment and socialization.

The Felician Adult Day Care ended after 31 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

1993

Beatification of Mother Mary Angela Truszkowska

On April 18 in Rome, (Saint) Pope John Paul II beatified the Felician Foundress, granting her the title “Blessed.”

2009

St. Francis Residence Dedication

Sisters repurposed a historic building on the Our Lady of the Angels provincial grounds to offer affordable independent living rental housing for adults aged 55 and older.

2009

Unification of Felician Provinces

All eight Felician provinces in North America united as Our Lady of Hope Province.

Annual Lawn Party

The annual Lawn Party was dubbed "an annual recurring miracle" by Mother Bernarda Mary Jarosz, for its continued success every summer, attracting thousands of people from the greater Enfield area.

Architectural Rendering

Rendering of the proposed 125-bed St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor, ME, by architect Anthony J. DePace.

Butter Mold

Butter mold of a lamb, used during Easter.

Chalice and Paten

Used by Pope Pius XII in 1955 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Felician Congregation.

Chasuble Embroidery

Cross stitching on this vestment is the handiwork of Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska.

Communion Wafer Mold

Bread mold used to cut out Communion Hosts from wafers.

Early Novices

Young women from the Our Lady of the Angels Province take the next step toward becoming Felician Sisters with the Rite of Investiture.

Early Postulants

These photos are of young women from the Our Lady of the Angels aspirancy who advanced to postulancy.

Embroidered Art

Crewel embroidery, titled "Flowers," was the creation of Sister Mary Celestia Zawisza.

Enfield Montessori

SM Aniela Urbanek and students of the Enfield Montessori School work on an activity.

Enfield Provincial Complex

Metal Sculpture

An unnamed contemporary metalwork sculpture by Sister Mary Hilary Ciszek.

Mother Mary Annunciata Bretschneider

Mother Mary Annunciata Bretschneider was the first provincial superior of the new Our Lady of the Angels Province in Enfield, CT. She served for three terms from 1934 to 1946.

Mother Mary Catherine Bembenek

Elected provincial superior of Our Lady of the Angels Province in 1946, Mother Mary Catherine Bembenek was faced with the emerging societal needs of post-war America.

Mother Mary Landeline Ptasienski

Mother Mary Landeline Ptasienski took the reins as provincial minister from 1970 to 1976 and was elected for another term from 1982 to 1988.

Mother Mary Laura Sentkowska

Mother Mary Laura Sentkowska oversaw 397 Felician Sisters serving in 35 schools and ministries in 1953, as she spearheaded the construction of the provincial complex.

Our Lady of the Angels Academy

Mother Mary Annunciata Bretschneider purchased the historic Graham Estate next to the motherhouse and founded the academy in 1944.

Our Lady of the Angels Junior College

Our Lady of the Angels Junior College began as an academic teacher-training program for Felician Sisters who would go on to teach in diocesan schools throughout the province.

Our Lady of the Angels Kindergarten

Opened in response to the baby boom, Our Lady of the Angels Kindergarten welcomed 34 children in its inaugural year.

Pottery Pieces

A variety of earth-tone pottery pieces by Sister Mary Hilary Ciszek.

Sister Mary Laureanne Alexandrowicz

A visionary leader of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Sister Mary Laureann Alexandrowicz became the catalyst for discussions that would reimagine the future of the Felician Sisters.

Sister Mary Norberta Malinowski

Sister Mary Norberta Malinowski was named president and CEO of St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor, ME, in 1982. She led the hospital and St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation with visionary leadership.

Sister's Shoes

Leather high-top shoes worn by Felician Sisters until the 1930s.

St. Joseph Hospital - Bangor

In post-war years, Mother Mary Catherine Bembenek saw a growing need for greater access to health care in New England. St. Joseph Hospital represented the sisters' outreach into the state of Maine.