Photo courtesy of Sisters of St. Joseph
Photo courtesy Archbishop Ryan
A funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, Aug. 12, at 10:30 a.m. for Sister Frances Antoinette Engler, a retired longtime Archbishop Ryan High School theology teacher who died last Thursday afternoon when she was hit by a PECO Energy truck near Academy Road and Morrell Avenue.
The funeral will take place in the chapel of Saint Joseph Villa, in Flourtown.
However, due to COVID-19 protocols, attendance will be limited.
To livestream the Mass, use this link: https://livestream.com/accounts/29490375/events/9794702
Ryan posted on its Facebook page, “She was a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to God, the community and to the students of Archbishop Ryan. … As the moderator of Community Service Corps, Sister touched the lives of thousands and thousands of young people in our area. She taught theology in the classroom and she truly lived by it outside of the classroom.”
Archbishop Nelson Perez said, “In the name of the bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese, I express prayerful condolences to her fellow religious, the Archbishop Ryan High School community and all those who mourn her passing. Sister Frances Antoinette was a faithful witness to Christ and His Church. She enriched the lives of many young people through her dedication to the mission of Catholic education for several decades. In addition, she touched the lives of thousands of people throughout our region by serving as the coordinator for Archbishop Ryan High School’s Community Service Corps. She inspired students to be faithful witnesses to Christ by serving as missionary disciples. This moment is one of deep sorrow. I ask all people of good will to join me praying for the soul of Sister Frances Antoinette, for the consolation and peace of her family, and for all those suffering as a result of her death.”
Police said Sister Frances, 80, a Sister of St. Joseph, was hit at about 2:33 p.m. by a PECO truck traveling southbound on Academy Road. A fire department medic unit transported her to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 3:34 p.m. The police Accident Investigation Division continues to investigate. ••
