A Mass of Resurrection for Sister Barbara Mary (Sister Mary Carmel) Novak, OSF, was celebrated Dec. 22 at Mother of Perpetual Help Residence in Shrewsbury. Sister Barbara, a resident of Mary Queen and Mother Center in Shrewsbury, died on Dec. 14 at the age of 94. She was a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help for 66 years.
Sister Barbara Mary was the eldest of three children born to John and Mary Katherine Novak in Omaha, Nebraska. Growing up, she was keenly aware that a spirit of peace and peacemaking were strong foundational elements in her family, elements that drew her to pursue becoming a Franciscan Sister.
After graduating from high school at age 16 and completing courses at Compton College, she worked for six years for a distributor of electrical appliances and housewares. In 1956, she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. She professed temporary vows in 1959 and final vows in 1962.
Intelligent and academically inclined, Sister Barbara Mary pursued her love of academia and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Marillac College and a master’s degree in history from Saint Louis University. She ministered as a Catholic high school educator in St. Louis, Sioux City, Iowa, and Omaha, and was a part-time instructor at Marillac College in St. Louis.
Called to minister within her community, Sister Barbara Mary served as a member of leadership from 1973-85. Throughout that time, she became a walking history book of her Franciscan community, becoming steeped in the community’s Franciscan and Polish roots, citing dates, events and decisions made by her community. In March 1982, Sister Barbara Mary was a delegate member representing 37 countries on five continents who traveled to Rome to be received by Pope John Paul II to approve the new Third Order Regular Rule of St. Francis.
Continuing to utilize her numerous skills, Sister Barbara Mary headed grant development for St. Francis Hospital and Nursing Home in Green Springs, Ohio. Prior to her moving to Cardinal Ritter Senior Services’ Cardinal Carberry Campus, she also ministered as a receptionist at her community’s administrative offices, Tau Center, in Kirkwood.
When asked how she wanted others to remember her, Sister Barbara Mary said, “My sister companions and my family have provided me with love and companionship on my life’s journey. They have given me love, joy, and peace, and I have loved them in return.”
Burial was in Resurrection Cemetery.
