To share messages of remembrance about a recently deceased sister please visit our Message of Remembrance page.
To make a donation in memory of one of our sisters, click HERE.
Are you looking for a Sister who served in your school, hospital, parish or other ministry?
Please complete our Find A Sister form.
November 23, 1938, marked the birth of Julia Werner. St. William’s Church in Philadelphia, PA, eagerly welcomed their newest parishioner into their community at her Baptism.
The daughter of Albert and Julia Murray Werner attended St. William’s Elementary School and later Little Flower High School. After considering religious life and being mentored by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth at her high school, Julia entered the community on the feast of Mary, September 8, 1956, and later received the name Sister Noreen.
During her initial formation, Sister Noreen deepened her devotion to the Holy Spirit and, on August 11, 1965, added the mystery of the Holy Spirit at her final vows. The Holy Spirit guided her on the road in her spiritual, community, and ministerial life.
As Robert Penn Warren writes, “History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves and our common humanity.” Recognizing her strengths, she continued preparing for the missions she would encounter.
Ministering in all areas of education, Sister received a B.A. in History from Holy Family as well as an M.A. in American History from Villanova University. In these ministries, she was able to “develop a fuller understanding of herself as well as our common humanity” (Warren).
Her history encompasses her love of education. Philadelphia marked the beginning of her journey at Our Lady of Calvary, Nazareth Academy Grade School, Nazareth Academy High School, St. Hubert’s High School, and Holy Family University, as well as St. Mary’s Home in Ambler, PA. Moving south, she went to Miami, Florida, as a teacher and administrator, and later to Puerto Rico to Academia del Carmen.
Learning from others, she developed her skills as a teacher in grade school and high school, then worked in the registrar’s and dean’s offices in college, and later became superintendent of schools in a large archdiocese. She remembered students fondly and inquired about their well-being long after they left her classroom.
After she left the classroom, she resided at Jesus of Nazareth Convent, where she continued her ministry to the Sisters by driving them to appointments and caring for the Dining Room.
In the last few years, she kept up with the Sisters’ daily life and engaged with them in prayer, meals, and activities. On October 6th, Sister Noreen of the Holy Spirit ended her history here on earth while beginning her history in heaven.
Rest in peace, Sister Noreen. We thank God for the gift of your life. To share your messages of remembrance, please visit our Message of Remembrance page.
