Sister Helen Lodge, OSF 1929-2024

After 73 years in religious life, Sister Helen Lodge, OSF, passed away May 22, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. She was 94.

Born Dec. 21, 1929, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the daughter of Richard and Louise Kloss Lodge attended St. Peter Grammar School in Pleasantville, New Jersey, and graduated from Holy Spirit High School in Atlantic City in 1941. Following graduation, Helen attended the New Jersey College of Commerce.

Sister Helen joined the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on Sept. 3, 1951; was received into the Congregation on Aug. 15, 1952; and professed her final vows on Aug. 16, 1959. 

Upon entering the congregation, she attended St. Elizabeth Teacher’s College, graduating from St. Bonaventure University with a bachelor of science degree in Education and later a master of arts degree in Theology. 

Sister Helen spent her first 15 years of ministry teaching in congregational schools in New York and New Jersey. Following her time as a teacher, she entered the cloister (Franciscan Ritiro) where she lived a life of prayer and contemplation.

She served as second-year novice mistress and junior professed mistress in Allegany; assistant vocation director for the Archdiocese of New York; and later for the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey. Sister Helen served as Regional II minister, general counselor and director of the associate program for the congregation.

Sister Helen served as pastoral associate for St. Paul Church, Highland Park, New Jersey; St. Peter Church, Our Lady Star of the Sea, St. Bernadette’s and St. Gianna Beretta Molla Parishes in Pleasantville, New Jersey, until her retirement in 2016.

In 2016, she was warmly welcomed home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany.
She is predeceased by her parents, and a brother, Father Richard Lodge. 

A funeral Mass was celebrated May 31, in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. Burial followed in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.