In front kneeling, from left, her sisters Gussie and Sister Rose Jean; standing, from left, is Sister Marian, her brother Kenneth, her father Everett, her mother Eva Mae, her brother Verrill, her sister Eulaine, her brother Raphael, and her sister, Sister Ann Roberta.(1982)
Sister Ann Roberta Powers, along with 5 others, ventured across the ocean and came to India’s Gangetic plains in Mokama, Bihar in December 1947 to spread the charism of their founder. They began a pioneering rural health mission, Nazareth Hospital Mokama, to meet the various health needs of the people in 1948. Nazareth Hospital with its School of Nursing and Pharmacy has continued since then to serve the sick from many districts of Bihar and West Bengal, extending up to the border of Nepal. It became the first institution in Bihar to open a center, ‘NAI ASHA’ in 2004 under Bihar State Aids Control Society to admit and care for the HIV/ AIDS persons.
With the arrival of new missionaries, the Sisters entered into the field of education and took up Nazareth Academy, Gaya, from the Loreto nuns in 1951 to nurture the intellectual potential of Bihar. Sister Ann Roberta Powers, one of the pioneers, continues to minister and live there.
Marian Alice Powers |
Sister Marian Powers taught at 10 schools over 33 years, and served in five more ministries since her teaching days ended. One might think that among so many transitions, there would be some bumps and bruises along the way.
Not so, she says. Every change has been met with a smile and a determination to do her ministry well. “I’ve always been that way,” she said.
http://www.ursulinesmsj.org/Archive_Stories/sr_marian_powers_sim.php
Rose Jean Powers. I found this Youtube Video of Sister Rose Jean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff2hTAmaeuI
Augusta Mae Powers |
I was late in my search of "Gussie"
Augusta Mae Powers
"Gussie" was born on June 21, 1947 in Cloverport, the daughter of the late Everett Augustine Powers and Eva Mae (Elder) Powers. She was a member of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. A graduate of Mount St. Joseph Academy and Brescia College, Gussie earned her master's in education from Western Kentucky University. She taught primary grades for the Owensboro Catholic Diocesan Schools for 22 years, serving at St. Stephen's Cathedral, Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Pius Tenth in Owensboro and St. Romuald School in Hardinsburg. After leaving teaching to care for her invalid mother, she worked in security at National Southwire, Century Aluminum, and Aleris.
Then there is Father Benjamin Clyde Powers,
Father Benjamin C. Powers was ordained for the Diocese of Owensboro,
Daviess Co., Kentucky on 10 May 1975 and served at Holy Spirit in Bowling
Green, Warren Co., Kentucky with a mission at Sunfish in Edmonson Co.,
Kentucky. Father Benjamin died in a car accident between Brownsville and Bowling
Green, KY. on 15 Sep 1978 .
Daviess Co., Kentucky on 10 May 1975 and served at Holy Spirit in Bowling
Green, Warren Co., Kentucky with a mission at Sunfish in Edmonson Co.,
Kentucky. Father Benjamin died in a car accident between Brownsville and Bowling
Green, KY. on 15 Sep 1978 .
Aunt Eva Mae was one of the saintliest people I have ever known. When Clyde (Fr. Ben) was killed in an auto accident he was not the first of her male children to die young. She said, "God must love my boys because he calls them home so early". She was so sweet and kind. I remember being fascinated watching Uncle Everett carving driftwood from the Ohio River. I have Aunt Eva Mae's lemon meringue pie recipe if anyone is interested!
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