Sister Mary Francelita Machnica, CSSF, 1931-2024

Sister Mary Francelita Machnica, 93, a Felician Sister for 75 years, died in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent in Buffalo, on Oct. 27, 2024. The former Stella Machnica was born on March 30, 1931, in Buffalo and was a member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Cheektowaga. She entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo on July 16, 1949, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 13, 1957. After graduating from Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy in Buffalo, Sister Francelita earned a bachelor of science degree in Education from Mount St. Joseph (now Medaille) College in Buffalo, a master of science degree in Education from State University of New York College at Buffalo, and a master of science from Canisius College of Buffalo.

Sister Francelita began her ministry as a Felician Sister at St. John Kanty School in Buffalo.  Gentle and compassionate, she taught at the primary level for 11 years in various elementary schools in the Diocese of Buffalo and for one year in the Diocese of Syracuse. A strong organizer and gifted in science, Sister Francelita later taught science at the junior high school level in the Diocese of Buffalo. Her desire to help her students achieve their highest potential, coupled with her administrative and leadership skills, gave Sister Francelita the opportunity to serve as principal, a ministry that she excelled in for 15 years at area Catholic schools, including Holy Spirit, North Collins; Blessed Sacrament, Kenmore; and St. John Kanty, Buffalo. She was honored for her outstanding service to Catholic Education by the Diocese of Buffalo with the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Award in 1986. In that same year she was honored as “Principal of the Month” in the publication Today’s Catholic Teacher.

It was in 1990 that Sister Francelita embarked on a long, loving and fruitful ministry at the Cantalician Center for Learning in Buffalo. Ministering in various capacities for 20 years, Sister Francelita found her “home” at Cantalician remarking, “in my heart, I felt this was the place that I should be. I felt called there.” She served as program director, director of staff and personnel, director of the School Age Program, assistant to the executive director, school administrator, and finally as receptionist. Each position was a privilege for her and each was carried out with her characteristic openness, kindness and generosity, beautifully reflecting the compassionate service and total availability of Blessed Mary Angela, foundress of the Felician Sisters.

In 1992, the Felician Sisters opened a new mission in Kingstree, South Carolina, and Sister Francelita was ready to offer her services, helping to set up the beginnings of what is now a vibrant multi-faceted ministry dedicated to meeting the varied needs of the underserved. Every year forward, Sister Francelita and her late sister Mary Edwardine, volunteered for several weeks in the summer at what is now Felician Center Inc.

Completing her mission at Cantalician Center in 2010, Sister Francelita ministered to her fellow sisters at St. Francis Residence in Buffalo as vicar and then councilor. 

Reflecting on her life as she celebrated 70 years of religious life, Sister Francelita wrote, “I am overwhelmed with the many gifts God has bestowed upon me … the love of my mother and father … loving brothers and sisters … (being) able to minister in education and to reach out to the poor and needy … and sharing community life with my sister and best friend, Sister Mary Edwardine …. May God bless all whom he put into my life with an abundance of love and many blessings.”

Sister Francelita is survived by her brother Walter and sister Barbara Machnica. She was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Stella (Utecht) Machnica, her sister, Sister Mary Edwardine Machnica, CSSF, and brother, Raymond Machnica.

A wake for Sister Francelita will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by an evening prayer service at 5 p.m. in the Convent Chapel.  There will also be viewing on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., in the Convent Chapel. Interment will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga