Today we gather in this beautiful chapel of the Dominican Sisters of Hope. We gather to celebrate the life of Sister Nicholas Marie Zitz, OP

Josephine Zitz was born in New York City on April 29, 1926, to Nicholas and Louise Zitz. Her family traces its origins to Croatia, the former Yugoslavia. Nicholas, her father, left his native land to make a new start in the New World. It was here that he met his wife Louise and began his family.

Three sons and two daughters were born to this family. John served his country in the United States Army. He died at an early age in an automobile accident. Peter went West, where he lives to this day, in Nevada. Marie married a doctor, settling in upstate New York.

What of the other two children of Nicholas and Louise? The other two children of this loving couple gave their lives to God as religious. Josephine entered the Convent of the Dominican Sisters in Newburgh on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, September 8, 1945. James entered the Congregation of the Passion. What is remarkable about their religious lives, is that they both honored their father by taking his name as their religious name: Sister Nicholas Marie, Dominican and Father Nicholas Zitz, Passionist. What an honor and tribute to their father. It is an honor for a Catholic family to have a religious in their family. The Zitz Family honored the Church with two religious from their family.

What was Sister Nicholas Marie like? The goal of every immigrant family that has set foot on these shores is to build a better life for themselves and for their children. Immigrant peoples found out early that this could be done through education. Sister Nicholas received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Secondary Education from Villanova University. She received her Master of Arts Degree in Spanish from Middlebury College, Vermont.

Coming from an immigrant family, Sister Nick had great compassion for immigrant peoples, especially their children. With a Master’s Degree in Spanish, she was well equipped to work with migrant peoples. She taught Spanish children the fundamentals of English to give them a chance in school.

Her ministry to migrant children was cut short by a tragic automobile accident. However, this did not deter Sister Nick’s determination for service. Being infirm herself, she assisted the other infirm sisters in Siena Hall. She talked to them, encouraged them, answered letters for those who could not write, and she prayed with them. In short, she was a companion to many that the progress of time had forgotten. She continued this internal ministry right up until a few months before she died.

Sister Nick shared this care and concern for her brother, Father Nicholas. She would call him up at night and ask him, “There is a wonderful program on Mother Angelica. Are you watching it?” Father Nick would glance at the football game on his TV and say, “Well, something like that.”

Sister always worried about Father Nick's health. She called me often asking if he was well. Not wanting her to worry, I made a deal with her on the telephone. I told her that if Father Nick has any serious problems, she would be the first I would call on the telephone. She stopped calling and I hope, stopped worrying about our Father Nick.

The death of a religious is always a sad time for family and friends, but not for other religious, as we see things differently. Sister Nicholas gave her life to God. She served him well in teaching the poor, helping migrant children, bringing love, concern and companionship to her sisters here. Sister Nicholas brought hope into so many lives. What a fitting epitaph for a Dominican Sister of Hope.

Sister Nicholas Marie, good and faithful servant. You have run the good race. You have fought the good fight. You have lived a life of faith and love. Now enter into your Father’s joy, prepared for you from the beginning of the world. May you Rest in Peace.

Rev. Jack Douglas, CP
October 22, 2004

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