Sister Ann Vincent Terracina cultivates Catholic Identity at St. Christina’s Parish

Chicago—What happens when a loved one moves or dies and the family discovers a cache of holy cards, a drawer-full of rosaries, or a box-load of saints’ statues?
Well, if they know Sister Ann Vincent Terracina, these items go to her. Everyone who knows, knows she will put the items to good use.

Sister Ann is well known in Chicago’s Mt. Greenwood neighborhood where she has been a pastoral minister at St. Christina’s Parish for more than 25 years. With the help of some parishioners and the St. Christina School staff, she organizes an annual event much-anticipated by the students: the religious items give-away and raffle.

“It’s harder and harder for families to access things we older Catholics used to take for granted: holy cards, statues of saints, medals to wear as reminders to call on the Blessed Virgin for her assistance,” she explained. This spring ritual allows her to share that wealth with the children and instill in them a sense of Catholic identity and a pride in their faith, she explains.

Among the more sought-after items in the collection are medals cast with the image of St. Florian—patron of firefighters.

In a basement room of the old convent, tables are covered with holy cards, walls festooned with inspirational plaques; boxes hold medals organized by saint and patronage. Among the more sought-after items in the collection are medals cast with the image of St. Florian—patron of firefighters. Mt. Greenwood is well known within the city as the home of many of these first responders.

The school children—pre-school through grade 8—are welcomed to the convent basement one class at a time and allowed to choose items of their liking from the tables. Larger, more sought-after items—of which there may be few—are raffled off rather than given away—no cash involved. Statues of angels, Mary, or other saints are popular raffle items.

How long has the tradition gone on? More than ten years, for sure, says Sister Ann, as she prepares for the arrival of the 4-year-old pre-school children, who are anxious for their turn at selecting items for themselves or their parents or siblings.

With a practiced hand, Sister Ann corrals the little ones for a moment to explain the process then, lets them loose, and helps them make their selections.

When she is not organizing activities for the school children Sister Ann visits parishioners in the hospital and brings Holy Communion to those unable to leave their homes, serving as a conduit of the Church’s care and concern. “I love it here,” she says of the parish community nestled in this middle-class city neighborhood. “St. Christina’s is a wonderful community of faith.”