Sister Rosetta Benelli, FdCC

Our dearest sister and friend to so many people, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 25, 2014. Sister Rosetta was born August 29, 1922 in San Bernardino di Crema, Italy. Her parents, Angelo and Francesca Cerioli Benelli had four children, Giovanni, Rosetta, Maria, and Angela (deceased). She is survived by her older brother Giovanni, and a younger sister Maria, as well as nine nephews and nieces, and eight grandnephews and grandnieces. Sister Rosetta found the Lord as the center of her life and gave her life totally to Him as she began her journey to be a Faithful Missionary. She entered the Missionary novitiate in 1941 in Vimercate, (Milan) Italy and made her first Profession as a Canossian Daughter of Charity, Servant of the Poor in 1944. She shared God’s love through serving in Europe for 19 years. She also served in Africa, both in Zaire (now Republic of Congo) Tanzania and Malawi for a total of 17 years before coming to the North American Province of Cristo Rey in 1978. Her ministries in Europe and Africa included faithful dedication to education as a teacher and catechist as well as assuming the responsibility of Elementary School Principal. Sister Rosetta, having studied French for her mission in Africa and English for her future mission, was called to serve the church in the United States. Enthusiastic to bring God’s love via Catechesis and Pastoral ministry, Sister Rosetta served in California for 27 years and was fondly referred to in the various parishes of where she ministered in Sacramento, Jackson and San Francisco as the “Mother Teresa of California” due to her great love and concern for the poor, sick and homebound. In 2005, Sister Rosetta retired and moved to the Provincial House of the North American Province in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Since her retirement, she had been blessed with good health and a very peaceful and happy retirement. She continued to express her love and concern for the sick, homebound, the poor and needy through the ministry of prayer which she took very seriously. During her retirement, she was very alert and in tune with what was happening in the world and kept the community of sisters well informed of the latest thoughts and movements of our Holy Father. The sisters wish to thank the doctors, nurses, aides, and caregivers who took such good care of our Sister Rosetta with gentleness and compassion during her stay at Presbyterian Hospital and Presbyterian Kaseman Hospice Center. A public visitation will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2014, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Wyoming followed by a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, March 3, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Annunciation Parish Church with Msgr. Bennett J. Voorhies, Pastor. A reception will follow at the St. Magdalene Hall of Annunciation Parish. Sister Rosetta will be taken to her final resting place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery at 1900 Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Should you choose, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canossian Daughters of Charity, 5625 Isleta Blvd. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105. FRENCH – Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400

Sister Rosetta Benelli, FdCC

August 29, 1922 - February 25, 2014