Tuesday, November 3, 2009

A Mass of Christian Burial for Franciscan Sister of the Poor Joanna Burkhart was celebrated Nov. 3 in the St. Clare Convent Chapel in Hartwell. Sister Joanna, 88, died Oct. 30 at Mercy Franciscan Terrace.

A member of the congregation for 65 years, Sister Joanna’s ministry included providing services to the poor at St. John Social Service Center in Cincinnati and St. Raphael in Hamilton.

In 1960 Sister Joanna volunteered to serve as a missionary in Brazil but was instead asked to serve at the congregation’s generalate house in Frascati, Italy. She was in Rome during the time of the Second Vatican Council, the death of Pope John XXIII and the election of Pope Paul VI. In 1968, when the generalate offices were moved to the United States, Sister Joanna returned to Cincinnati to continue direct service to the poor.

In 1975 Sister Joanne was the first woman to be certified by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. As a member of the pastoral care department, Sister Joanna served patients at Mercy Franciscan Mt. Airy for three years and Mercy Franciscan Western Hills for 24 years.

Sister Joanna is survived by her sister, Stella Crum of Woodsfield and brother, Cyril, of Lewisville.

Interment was in the convent cemetery.