Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 12/20/2000

Sister M. Antonella Black

May 16, 1913 - Dec. 18, 2000

Sister M. Antonella, 87, was born in Morris, Ill., on May 16, 1913, the daughter of Frank Black and Catherine Ryan Black. She was one of 10 children and is survived by her brother, August Black of Morris; sisters, Sister M. Anna (Black), Sister M. Lorraine (Black), both of Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, Ind.; a niece, Sister Grace Watson of Mishawaka, Ind.; and many nieces and nephews.

Sister M. Antonella entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross on Feb. 12, 1932. She made first vows January 1934, and began her teaching ministry at St. Bernard's School in Crawfordsville, Ind., in 1937. From 1942 through 1964 Sister Antonella served as principal and teacher in Woodstock, Ill., Danville, Ill., Chicago, Ill., South Bend and Michigan City, Ind. In 1964 Sister Antonella was appointed supervisor of elementary schools, and was a member of the provincial team in South Bend until 1969. From 1969 to 1972, sister returned to teaching in Elkhart at St. Vincent's Elementary School and then at Notre Dame Elementary School in Michigan City.

Sister Antonella received her BA degree from Saint Mary's College at Notre Dame in 1953, and her MA degree from the University of Detroit, Detroit, Mich., in 1958.

From 1972 to 1977, Sister Antonella directed her ministry toward adult education in Elkhart, and from 1978 to 1979 she served in ministry to the aging at Notre Dame parish in Michigan City. In 1979, Sister Antonella moved to Morris to help care for her sister, Marie Watson, and to minister at Immaculate Conception Parish. From Morris, Sister Antonella moved back to South Bend where she served as sacristan at Sacred Heart Church at the University of Notre Dame until 1987, at which time she took a brief sabbatical at Saint Mary's College, 1987 to 1989. Sister served as hostess and receptionist at Christ the King Parish in South Bend. In 1990, Sister moved to Lourdes Convent, Saint Mary's, to be in volunteer service to the community. As health needs required, she moved to Saint Mary's Convent where she was active in the ministry of prayer and visiting the sick until her sudden and unexpected death.

Reception of the body will be at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, followed by interment at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN 46556.

The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.