Sister M. Teresa Prohammer, SSND
(née Anna Prohammer)
First Profession July 30, 1954
Motherhouse
Waterdown, Ontario, Canada
Beloved daughter of Michael and Anna (née Fackelmann) Prohammer.
Sister Teresa Prohammer died of a stroke on July 1, 2015 at Notre Dame Convent, Waterdown, Ontario at the age of 85 and in her 61st year as a School Sister of Notre Dame.
Anna was born in St. Martin, Rumania, the same village where her parents, Michael and Theresia of German descent, were born. Anna became endeared to the SSNDs who had recently come to the village. In 1941 she entered the candidature in Temesvar, Rumania. In the summer of 1944 the Russian forces advanced toward Rumania. To avoid having their sons and daughters sent to Russia to work, many families left the village. Anna's family travelled by caravan mainly at night until they reached Hungary. Within two weeks after settling in, news reached them that the Hungarian army had joined the Russians. Immediately, they left by horse and buggy toward Austria. Their intent was eventually to return to Rumania. Again they had to move due to the advance of the Russians. Finally, they settled in a village, Mulheim, in an American zone. Conditions were crowded and food was scarce. After two years her father got a job. While biking home from work he was tragically injured by a car in August 1948.
Anna's uncle who had come to Canada arranged to have her brother, John and herself move to Hamilton, Ontario in 1951. While attending Mass at the Basilica in Hamilton Anna saw SSND's. This brought back memories of her days in the candidature in Temesvar. Her desire to become a sister came back and she prayed earnestly to know God's will for her.
Her uncle took her to Waterdown, where Mother Pius Gaenz welcomed her into the candidature in September 1952. She became Novice Mary Teresa on July 29, 1953, a day of great joy for her. She was professed on July 30, 1954.
Following Teachers' College, Sister Teresa taught at St. Helen's, Hamilton, St. James, Oakville and St. Mary's, Kitchener. In 1964 she went to La Paz, Bolivia where she was director of Santa Rosa School in Calacoto. While in Bolivia, Sister Teresa experienced firsthand the need for medical care, especially for children.
In 1972 Sister Teresa returned to Hamilton to attain her R.N. Diploma at St. Joseph's Nursing School. After graduation she worked in various departments within the hospital to gain experience before returning to Calacoto, La Paz, Bolivia. From 1975–1980 she was in charge of a dispensary for the poor and, also, supervised the nurses in the private clinic of the parish, San Miguel.
In 1981 Sister Teresa moved to Lingfield, England where she was treasurer for the SSND missions in England until 1986.
Back to Canada she again used her nursing skills in the Motherhouse infirmary from 1986-1995 including assistant head. In 1996 Sister Teresa was invited to do community service at our SSND Generalate in Rome. Her facility with German, English, Spanish, and Italian was an asset to her ministry at the international Generalate.
In 2002 - 51 years after she first came to Canada, Sister Teresa returned to Canada, having spent 26 years in other countries.
Although a debilitating stroke in 2005 limited her mobility, she was determined to gain some degree of independence.
Sister Teresa was not only multi-lingual, she, also was multi-talented. As a candidate she worked in the tapestry department. Gardening was another specialty of hers. Her early years of fleeing from Russian aggression, living in cramped quarters, - three families crowded into one room - long lines for little food, all these conditions prepared Sister Teresa for a life of self-sacrifice and hard work, generosity and compassion.
Mass of Christian Burial was con-celebrated at Notre Dame Convent by Rev. Pablito Labado, chaplain, and Rev. J. Valk C.R. Her sisters, Eva Lutsch, Theresia Goetz, Maria Urtheil and her brother John with whom she came to Canada were present at the liturgy along with their families. At the cemetery the sisters who were with Sister Teresa in Bolivia and Brother David Ernest C.R. sang "Santa Maria del Camino".
Living in Austria are her sisters Rosalie Jaekl, Hedwig Prohammer and brothers Michael, Josef, and Martin.
She is predeceased by her parents Michael and Anna (Fackelmann) Prohammer, her sister Barbara Koch and brother Josef (in childhood).
(School Sisters of Notre Dame, Atlantic-Midwest Province)
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!
(née Anna Prohammer)
First Profession July 30, 1954
Motherhouse
Waterdown, Ontario, Canada
Beloved daughter of Michael and Anna (née Fackelmann) Prohammer.
Sister Teresa Prohammer died of a stroke on July 1, 2015 at Notre Dame Convent, Waterdown, Ontario at the age of 85 and in her 61st year as a School Sister of Notre Dame.
Anna was born in St. Martin, Rumania, the same village where her parents, Michael and Theresia of German descent, were born. Anna became endeared to the SSNDs who had recently come to the village. In 1941 she entered the candidature in Temesvar, Rumania. In the summer of 1944 the Russian forces advanced toward Rumania. To avoid having their sons and daughters sent to Russia to work, many families left the village. Anna's family travelled by caravan mainly at night until they reached Hungary. Within two weeks after settling in, news reached them that the Hungarian army had joined the Russians. Immediately, they left by horse and buggy toward Austria. Their intent was eventually to return to Rumania. Again they had to move due to the advance of the Russians. Finally, they settled in a village, Mulheim, in an American zone. Conditions were crowded and food was scarce. After two years her father got a job. While biking home from work he was tragically injured by a car in August 1948.
Anna's uncle who had come to Canada arranged to have her brother, John and herself move to Hamilton, Ontario in 1951. While attending Mass at the Basilica in Hamilton Anna saw SSND's. This brought back memories of her days in the candidature in Temesvar. Her desire to become a sister came back and she prayed earnestly to know God's will for her.
Her uncle took her to Waterdown, where Mother Pius Gaenz welcomed her into the candidature in September 1952. She became Novice Mary Teresa on July 29, 1953, a day of great joy for her. She was professed on July 30, 1954.
Following Teachers' College, Sister Teresa taught at St. Helen's, Hamilton, St. James, Oakville and St. Mary's, Kitchener. In 1964 she went to La Paz, Bolivia where she was director of Santa Rosa School in Calacoto. While in Bolivia, Sister Teresa experienced firsthand the need for medical care, especially for children.
In 1972 Sister Teresa returned to Hamilton to attain her R.N. Diploma at St. Joseph's Nursing School. After graduation she worked in various departments within the hospital to gain experience before returning to Calacoto, La Paz, Bolivia. From 1975–1980 she was in charge of a dispensary for the poor and, also, supervised the nurses in the private clinic of the parish, San Miguel.
In 1981 Sister Teresa moved to Lingfield, England where she was treasurer for the SSND missions in England until 1986.
Back to Canada she again used her nursing skills in the Motherhouse infirmary from 1986-1995 including assistant head. In 1996 Sister Teresa was invited to do community service at our SSND Generalate in Rome. Her facility with German, English, Spanish, and Italian was an asset to her ministry at the international Generalate.
In 2002 - 51 years after she first came to Canada, Sister Teresa returned to Canada, having spent 26 years in other countries.
Although a debilitating stroke in 2005 limited her mobility, she was determined to gain some degree of independence.
Sister Teresa was not only multi-lingual, she, also was multi-talented. As a candidate she worked in the tapestry department. Gardening was another specialty of hers. Her early years of fleeing from Russian aggression, living in cramped quarters, - three families crowded into one room - long lines for little food, all these conditions prepared Sister Teresa for a life of self-sacrifice and hard work, generosity and compassion.
Mass of Christian Burial was con-celebrated at Notre Dame Convent by Rev. Pablito Labado, chaplain, and Rev. J. Valk C.R. Her sisters, Eva Lutsch, Theresia Goetz, Maria Urtheil and her brother John with whom she came to Canada were present at the liturgy along with their families. At the cemetery the sisters who were with Sister Teresa in Bolivia and Brother David Ernest C.R. sang "Santa Maria del Camino".
Living in Austria are her sisters Rosalie Jaekl, Hedwig Prohammer and brothers Michael, Josef, and Martin.
She is predeceased by her parents Michael and Anna (Fackelmann) Prohammer, her sister Barbara Koch and brother Josef (in childhood).
(School Sisters of Notre Dame, Atlantic-Midwest Province)
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!
Sister M. Teresa Prohammer, SSND
(née Anna Prohammer)
First Profession July 30, 1954
Motherhouse
Waterdown, Ontario, Canada
Beloved daughter of Michael and Anna (née Fackelmann) Prohammer.
Sister Teresa Prohammer died of a stroke on July 1, 2015 at Notre Dame Convent, Waterdown, Ontario at the age of 85 and in her 61st year as a School Sister of Notre Dame.
Anna was born in St. Martin, Rumania, the same village where her parents, Michael and Theresia of German descent, were born. Anna became endeared to the SSNDs who had recently come to the village. In 1941 she entered the candidature in Temesvar, Rumania. In the summer of 1944 the Russian forces advanced toward Rumania. To avoid having their sons and daughters sent to Russia to work, many families left the village. Anna's family travelled by caravan mainly at night until they reached Hungary. Within two weeks after settling in, news reached them that the Hungarian army had joined the Russians. Immediately, they left by horse and buggy toward Austria. Their intent was eventually to return to Rumania. Again they had to move due to the advance of the Russians. Finally, they settled in a village, Mulheim, in an American zone. Conditions were crowded and food was scarce. After two years her father got a job. While biking home from work he was tragically injured by a car in August 1948.
Anna's uncle who had come to Canada arranged to have her brother, John and herself move to Hamilton, Ontario in 1951. While attending Mass at the Basilica in Hamilton Anna saw SSND's. This brought back memories of her days in the candidature in Temesvar. Her desire to become a sister came back and she prayed earnestly to know God's will for her.
Her uncle took her to Waterdown, where Mother Pius Gaenz welcomed her into the candidature in September 1952. She became Novice Mary Teresa on July 29, 1953, a day of great joy for her. She was professed on July 30, 1954.
Following Teachers' College, Sister Teresa taught at St. Helen's, Hamilton, St. James, Oakville and St. Mary's, Kitchener. In 1964 she went to La Paz, Bolivia where she was director of Santa Rosa School in Calacoto. While in Bolivia, Sister Teresa experienced firsthand the need for medical care, especially for children.
In 1972 Sister Teresa returned to Hamilton to attain her R.N. Diploma at St. Joseph's Nursing School. After graduation she worked in various departments within the hospital to gain experience before returning to Calacoto, La Paz, Bolivia. From 1975–1980 she was in charge of a dispensary for the poor and, also, supervised the nurses in the private clinic of the parish, San Miguel.
In 1981 Sister Teresa moved to Lingfield, England where she was treasurer for the SSND missions in England until 1986.
Back to Canada she again used her nursing skills in the Motherhouse infirmary from 1986-1995 including assistant head. In 1996 Sister Teresa was invited to do community service at our SSND Generalate in Rome. Her facility with German, English, Spanish, and Italian was an asset to her ministry at the international Generalate.
In 2002 - 51 years after she first came to Canada, Sister Teresa returned to Canada, having spent 26 years in other countries.
Although a debilitating stroke in 2005 limited her mobility, she was determined to gain some degree of independence.
Sister Teresa was not only multi-lingual, she, also was multi-talented. As a candidate she worked in the tapestry department. Gardening was another specialty of hers. Her early years of fleeing from Russian aggression, living in cramped quarters, - three families crowded into one room - long lines for little food, all these conditions prepared Sister Teresa for a life of self-sacrifice and hard work, generosity and compassion.
Mass of Christian Burial was con-celebrated at Notre Dame Convent by Rev. Pablito Labado, chaplain, and Rev. J. Valk C.R. Her sisters, Eva Lutsch, Theresia Goetz, Maria Urtheil and her brother John with whom she came to Canada were present at the liturgy along with their families. At the cemetery the sisters who were with Sister Teresa in Bolivia and Brother David Ernest C.R. sang "Santa Maria del Camino".
Living in Austria are her sisters Rosalie Jaekl, Hedwig Prohammer and brothers Michael, Josef, and Martin.
She is predeceased by her parents Michael and Anna (Fackelmann) Prohammer, her sister Barbara Koch and brother Josef (in childhood).
(School Sisters of Notre Dame, Atlantic-Midwest Province)
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!
(née Anna Prohammer)
First Profession July 30, 1954
Motherhouse
Waterdown, Ontario, Canada
Beloved daughter of Michael and Anna (née Fackelmann) Prohammer.
Sister Teresa Prohammer died of a stroke on July 1, 2015 at Notre Dame Convent, Waterdown, Ontario at the age of 85 and in her 61st year as a School Sister of Notre Dame.
Anna was born in St. Martin, Rumania, the same village where her parents, Michael and Theresia of German descent, were born. Anna became endeared to the SSNDs who had recently come to the village. In 1941 she entered the candidature in Temesvar, Rumania. In the summer of 1944 the Russian forces advanced toward Rumania. To avoid having their sons and daughters sent to Russia to work, many families left the village. Anna's family travelled by caravan mainly at night until they reached Hungary. Within two weeks after settling in, news reached them that the Hungarian army had joined the Russians. Immediately, they left by horse and buggy toward Austria. Their intent was eventually to return to Rumania. Again they had to move due to the advance of the Russians. Finally, they settled in a village, Mulheim, in an American zone. Conditions were crowded and food was scarce. After two years her father got a job. While biking home from work he was tragically injured by a car in August 1948.
Anna's uncle who had come to Canada arranged to have her brother, John and herself move to Hamilton, Ontario in 1951. While attending Mass at the Basilica in Hamilton Anna saw SSND's. This brought back memories of her days in the candidature in Temesvar. Her desire to become a sister came back and she prayed earnestly to know God's will for her.
Her uncle took her to Waterdown, where Mother Pius Gaenz welcomed her into the candidature in September 1952. She became Novice Mary Teresa on July 29, 1953, a day of great joy for her. She was professed on July 30, 1954.
Following Teachers' College, Sister Teresa taught at St. Helen's, Hamilton, St. James, Oakville and St. Mary's, Kitchener. In 1964 she went to La Paz, Bolivia where she was director of Santa Rosa School in Calacoto. While in Bolivia, Sister Teresa experienced firsthand the need for medical care, especially for children.
In 1972 Sister Teresa returned to Hamilton to attain her R.N. Diploma at St. Joseph's Nursing School. After graduation she worked in various departments within the hospital to gain experience before returning to Calacoto, La Paz, Bolivia. From 1975–1980 she was in charge of a dispensary for the poor and, also, supervised the nurses in the private clinic of the parish, San Miguel.
In 1981 Sister Teresa moved to Lingfield, England where she was treasurer for the SSND missions in England until 1986.
Back to Canada she again used her nursing skills in the Motherhouse infirmary from 1986-1995 including assistant head. In 1996 Sister Teresa was invited to do community service at our SSND Generalate in Rome. Her facility with German, English, Spanish, and Italian was an asset to her ministry at the international Generalate.
In 2002 - 51 years after she first came to Canada, Sister Teresa returned to Canada, having spent 26 years in other countries.
Although a debilitating stroke in 2005 limited her mobility, she was determined to gain some degree of independence.
Sister Teresa was not only multi-lingual, she, also was multi-talented. As a candidate she worked in the tapestry department. Gardening was another specialty of hers. Her early years of fleeing from Russian aggression, living in cramped quarters, - three families crowded into one room - long lines for little food, all these conditions prepared Sister Teresa for a life of self-sacrifice and hard work, generosity and compassion.
Mass of Christian Burial was con-celebrated at Notre Dame Convent by Rev. Pablito Labado, chaplain, and Rev. J. Valk C.R. Her sisters, Eva Lutsch, Theresia Goetz, Maria Urtheil and her brother John with whom she came to Canada were present at the liturgy along with their families. At the cemetery the sisters who were with Sister Teresa in Bolivia and Brother David Ernest C.R. sang "Santa Maria del Camino".
Living in Austria are her sisters Rosalie Jaekl, Hedwig Prohammer and brothers Michael, Josef, and Martin.
She is predeceased by her parents Michael and Anna (Fackelmann) Prohammer, her sister Barbara Koch and brother Josef (in childhood).
(School Sisters of Notre Dame, Atlantic-Midwest Province)
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!
Gravesite Details
Notre Dame Convent Cemetery, Snake Road, Waterdown, was closed in 2019 and all remains were moved to Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery.
