Having fulfilled her mission to serve God by caring for His children, Sister Agnes Ciulla passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at The Hospital of St. Raphael. Born on March 4, 1926 in Palermo, Italy to Giuseppe Ciulla and Margherita Moavero, Anna, as she was Christened, had two brothers, Nicolò and Vincenzo, and two sisters, Antonina and Margherita, all of whom but the latter predeceased her. Answering a call to the religious life, Sr. Agnes entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on April 30, 1953 and became a fully-fledged member on July 11, 1962, four years after she arrived in America. Education was centermost to Sr. Agnes, who attained a diploma in Italy and later studied at Rosary College and Madaille College in Buffalo, New York, whence she obtained her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. It was the instruction of the young, both academically and religiously, that was centermost in her life. She spent years teaching in New York, working with needy children and preparing second graders for their First Holy Communion. Most notably, she was one of the three sisters who came to North Haven in 1982 to establish the St. Frances Cabrini Daycare and Preschool Learning Center, now known as Sacred Heart of Jesus Daycare – Preschool – Kindergarten. Here she ministered to thousands of “God’s little ones,” as she called them, with inimitable love and care until her retirement in 2007. Even then, however, she spent her days helping in the Convent and, above all, praying the Rosary for all her children, whom she loved as her own. Visiting hours for our beloved Sr. Agnes will be held on Friday, April 12 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Church at 57 Pond Hill Road, North Haven. Beginning at 8 p.m., the Sisters will recite the Rosary and the Office of the Dead. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Frances Cabrini Church at 10 a.m. the next day, April 13, with interment to follow at All Saints Cemetery. Donations in loving memory of our dear Sister may be made to Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 94 Chapel Hill Road, North Haven, CT.
Our dear Sr. Agnes, you were such a beautiful presence at our beloved school and convent. God blessed us with you as a friend, and while we shall miss you very much, we trust you are at peace with Our Lord now, where someone as holy as you belongs. Thank you for all of your kindness, as especially for inspiring us to pray the Rosary daily. We love you.
I will forever be grateful to Sister Agnes for her loving visits to my mother when she was ill at home. She always had a warm smile and loving greeting for my mom and her little dog. My mom loved and looked forward to those visits. Sister Agnes may you Rest In Peace in the arms of our Lord in eternity.
God Bless
Sister Agnes brought so much love and happiness to those around her. She taught both of my children at St. Frances Cabrini Preschool and they not only loved her dearly, but learned their prayers with a slight Italian accent. Sister Agnes also visited my mom when she was ill in the hospital. Her kindness and love for others will be cherished forever. May you now rest with the angels.
Sr. Agnes was a delightful and caring woman. She loved and was devoted to the children, her religious sisters and many people whose lives she touched. She was especially devoted and loved her God. She will be missed by so many. You are now at peace with God. Blessings. Bunny and Bill O’Brien
I am so sorry for your loss. Sister Agnes seemed like such a special person. Please keep in mind the beautiful hope the Bible gives us for the future in Revelation 21:4, which speaks of a time when God will wipe out all death, suffering, mourning, outcry and pain forever, and we will be reunited with our loved ones that have fallen asleep in death. May the God of all comfort help you to endure during this difficult time.
Dear Sisters, Words alone cannot begin to express our deepest sympathy for your loss. Sister Agnes leaves behind many wonderful memories which you will recall over the next few days in the company of friends. Her smile and caring nature with us was always appreciated by our family. She was truly an angel on earth and was called home, for her job here was done, done extremely well. I am sure she has met our God, Mary His Mother and all the Saints with open arms. She still walks by your side every day and every time you think of her, she will always be there in your heart. Just know she is at peace with her family of angels, for Heaven is now her home. Sister Agnes, our angel on earth and heaven will always be in my prayers. With tears in our eyes and a broken heart we send you off on the journey home, we know someday we will meet again. Rest in Peace Sister Agnes and keep us your prayers.
I know that dear Sister Agnes is with our Lord in Heaven and our Blessed Mother. Sister Agnes was the kindest and most genuine gentle person I ever met. My youngest son attended St Francis Cabrini Nursery School where he learned to recite his prayers, dare I say with a hint of an Italian accent! In her later years Sister would accompany one or more other nuns to visit my infirm mother and bring her Communion. Mom loved her dearly. She was one of a kind and will be missed.
Dear Sisters ~ Our heartfelt and deepest condolences for your loss of our dear Sr Agnes! She was a special and spiritual woman who loved everyone she met and they, in turn, loved and adored her as well! Our sons are better people because of the foundation, both academically and spiritually, that Sr Agnes gave them while they were at preschool. We have many fond memories of sweet Sr Agnes; and we pray that you find comfort in the many memories you have of her. May God bless you all with strength as you cope with the difficult days ahead. May Sr Agnes rest in peace and in the loving arms of our Lord.