Sister M. Michaela's Services
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23, Aquinas Center, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704.
Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m., Jan. 23, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Bishop Kevin Vann, presiding, Dominican Father Robert Kelly, concelebrant.
Wake and Mass livestreamed at springfieldop.org/livestream/
Burial: Calvary Cemetery, 9:00 a.m. Fri., Jan. 24. Those services will livestream on Facebook @springfieldop.
Springfield Dominican Sister M. Michaela Collins died January 15, 2025, in the 73rd year of her religious profession, at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield, Ill.
A Chicago native, Sister Michaela was born in 1929, the third of seven children of Irish immigrant parents, Michael and Kathleen (Healy) Collins, who named her Catherine Theresa and had her baptized at St. Brendan Parish church, Chicago.
After completing a commercial course in high school, Catherine worked for the Chicago office machine company Remington Rand and entertained thoughts of becoming a Mercy Sister. When her mother objected to that plan, Catherine found “the perfect guy.” When he enlisted in the Navy, Catherine’s call to religious life returned. She joined the Dominicans in 1951, professing her first vows as Sister M. Michaela in 1952.
Nearly all Sister Michaela’s ministerial life was given to children in the most formative years: primary students. She taught first grade at Holy Rosary, Duluth, Minn. (1952-1956); St. Agnes, Springfield (1956-1962); St. Augustine, Richmond, Mich. (1962-1968); St. Anne, St. Anne, Ill. (1968-1969); St. Mary, Mt. Sterling (1969-1972); and St. Margaret Mary, Algonquin, Ill. (1972-1980). After a year of assisting with needs at Marian Catholic High School Convent she returned to the classroom, teaching primary students again, part time, at St. Edward School, Chicago (1980-1986); Hoy Family, Decatur (1986-1993); and Little Flower, Springfield (1993-1995).
It has always been a point of pride and joy—for Sister Michaela and her former first-grader Bishop Kevin Vann—that their paths crossed in the classroom at St. Agnes. Bishop Vann, the bishop of the Diocese of Orange, plans to preside at his teacher’s Mass of Christian Burial.
In 1995 she retired to Sacred Heart Convent, while still serving as a part-time reading tutor at St. Agnes School (1995-1997) and undertaking a ministry of prayer. She took great pleasure in bringing joy to her sisters in community by supplying holiday decorations for the hallways and organizing birthday parties, and gathering the sisters for dialogue. Sister Michaela took art lessons from one of the sisters and began sketching pictures of family and friends. Recently, at 95, she participated in Opening Minds Through Art, a program for persons with memory loss sponsored by the Springfield Art Association.
Sister Michaela loved her Dominican life, remarking in an autobiographical essay that throughout her time of formation she became “more and more Dominican.” She completed her degree in education at St. Ambrose University.
Sister Michaela was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Michael. She is survived by her brother William and her sisters Sarah Clark, Eileen Heaton, Mary Arvesen, and Pat Urchell as well as numerous nieces and nephews their children; dear friends, and her Dominican Sisters.
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23, Aquinas Center, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704.
Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m., Jan. 23, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Bishop Kevin Vann, presiding, Dominican Father Robert Kelly, concelebrant. Wake and Mass livestreamed at springfieldop.org/livestream/
She will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery, 9:00 a.m. Fri., Jan. 24. Those services will livestream on Facebook @springfieldop.
Memorials to honor the memory of Sister M. Michaela may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704.
The Dominican Sisters and family of Sister M. Michaela are served by Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Please leave your condolences in the comments below or visit dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/butler.
Sr. Michaela was my 1st and 2nd grade teacher at St. Agnes, Springfield. Believe it or not, she had 61 students in my second grade class including 10 first graders! God bless her! She was a wonderful woman who taught me to become a lifelong White Sox fan, especially in the first grade when (I think!) they played the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series. We decorated everything with white socks! My she rest in God’s peace and joy!
Thank you for sharing this.
When Sister Michaela was coming over for a visit we would all get excited, because she loved black cow floats which meant we get black cow &floats, when you’re a kid at that time it was a very special treat. Rest in peace, I will smile when I’m thinking of you.
To all the sisters at the Springfield motherhouse,
Sister Michaela was my beloved aunt. My heart breaks upon the news of her passing, but I know that she has gone home to God. Michaela gave everyone in our family her unconditional love and devotion. She personally prepared me for my 1st communion when I was a child. I can still remember how she used to come to my house and spend time with me, sharing her faith and teaching me so much about service and prayer. Make no mistake, our time together was filled with fun and laughter. I knew she must have been a fine elementary school teacher. Her sweet smile and gentle voice impacted my life in a very profound way. There is no doubt that she touched the lives of many young people, her multitude of students, as she was always a shining example of how to live a virtuous life. Since I was very young, I have found great joy in volunteering and serving in my community. I believe Michaela had a tremendous influence on me and I will always be grateful for her kind and thoughtful guidance.
I want to thank all the sisters who worked with and cared for Michaela throughout her life. For all of you who carried out your “hidden ministry,” the entire Collins family owes you a debt of gratitude.
Sister wrote, “As we age, we struggle each day with illnesses of the body and mind. And yet, we keep moving! Think of the sisters who drive others to appointments, and those who companion sisters to the doctors.” These were the very things that you all provided for her, and it truly filled her heart that you did it gladly and without hesitation. She continued, “Then there is the supply room staff who help meet our daily needs; the sisters who look after the tables in the dining room, and those who so faithfully sort the mail, deliver the newspapers, water the plants, or reshelve library books.” She appreciated and acknowledged those who performed even the smallest of tasks and wanted to make sure that no one went unnoticed for their efforts. Michaela put family, friends, and even strangers first. A truly selfless individual we admired, loved, and will sorely miss.
I and my entire family want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and care that you gave to our treasured Sister. My cherished aunt. My dear friend, Michaela.
May she rest in peace in her new heavenly home.
Linda Collins