Sister Mary Aileen Minta

Sister Mary Aileen Minta

“I put my trust in you; in God, whose word I praise. …” (Psalm 56:3-4)

“Sister Mary Aileen was born a Christmas child, on Dec. 25, 1919, in Indianapolis,” began Sister Margaret Quinlan in her commentary for Sister Mary Aileen Minta, who died June 24.

Born to John and Clara (Nevermann) Minta, Elizabeth Jane Minta was one of seven children. She attended St. Joan of Arc and Cathedral grade schools, Indianapolis, and graduated from St. Agnes Academy, Indianapolis. She entered the Congregation Feb. 2, 1939, and professed first and perpetual vows Aug. 15, 1941, and 1947, respectively. Sister Mary Aileen earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in English from Xavier University, Cincinnati.

For more than 50 years, Sister Mary Aileen ministered in schools. She began teaching in 1941 at Maternity BVM, Chicago. In Illinois, she also taught at St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette. She spent two years at Sacred Heart, Malden, Mass. In Indiana, she ministered at St. Francis Xavier, Vincennes; St. Patrick and Central Catholic High School, Fort Wayne; Holy Trinity, New Albany; Our Lady of Providence High School, Clarksville; Our Lady of Greenwood School, Greenwood; St. Joan of Arc and Roncalli High School, Indianapolis. She provided 16 years of service to Roncalli students. In 1994, she retired and returned to the Woods.

“Sister Mary Aileen is remembered as a good teacher, who was especially interested in helping the students who were having a harder time with their studies. She is remembered as a prayerful person. She is remembered as an avid reader. She is remembered as a faithful friend. She is remembered as a quiet person, especially in her later years when she was having trouble with hearing and in recent years when she was often suffering pain,” said Sister Margaret.

“Sister Mary Aileen was devoted to her family. In a letter in her file in the Archives, she describes a visit she had with them right after her golden jubilee in 1989. It is obvious from the letter that she enjoyed the visit,” continued Sister Margaret.

“One sister said she could be difficult at times, but that she had a ‘heart of gold’ and that at least you knew what she wanted! After a stroke two years ago, she suffered a great deal, finding it even harder to hear and suffering pain in her back. But she still enjoyed ‘getting out,’ even if it was just out around here in a wheelchair. She appreciated the beauty of the surroundings here at the Woods.

“Sister Mary Aileen, it is lovely that so many of your sisters, as well as your family members, can be here to celebrate your life. You now walk in the presence of God, in the light of the living. And you are in a place where you can pray even more for us, especially at this time of our General Chapter. Please do that,” concluded Sister Margaret.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Mary Aileen was celebrated June 28, with the Rev. Daniel Hopcus presiding. She is survived by only one sibling, a sister, Charlotte Mattingly, of Beech Grove, Ind. One of her brothers, the late Rev. Monsignor John Minta served as the Congregation’s chaplain for many years.