Maria Hill, CSJ

On October 22, 1938, the fourth child of Lillian and Harry Hill was born in Minneapolis, MN. They named her Mary Agnes. John and Helen were already started in grammar school at St. Thomas, their parish school and Richard was but year or two away from joining them. This gave this very inquisitive new arrival to the Hill family great sources of information as both her parents were educators too! Before she arrived at St. Thomas she was already well prepared, which would become a hallmark of her life in future classes, duties, and endeavors.

She didn’t always agree with choices others made for her. She didn’t want to go to an all-girls Catholic High School as her parents were insisting and she definitely did not like the idea that seemed to come and go during her high school years that she become a sister. She loved her parents and her family and so she did go to the Academy of Holy Angels, which she grew to appreciate. When Fr. Clay said during a senior religion class on vocations, that God had a plan for everyone and if a person did not follow that plan, they wouldn’t be happy, Maria decided that since she wanted to be happy she would try religious life, never fully believing she would stay.

Mary Hill entered the Sisters of St. Joseph at Crookston, Minnesota in August of 1956 and received the habit and the name Sr. Maria Goretti the following May.

She taught and was principal of schools in various towns in Minnesota before going into religious education in various parishes and at the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis.

As a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille she served on various congregational leadership teams for 20 years, though not consecutively. These positions meant she had to move from Minnesota to Cincinnati, Ohio and travel around the country as well as to Brazil, Nicaragua, and Panama as she visited her sisters and experienced their ministries. In addition to her duties as part of the leadership team, she also worked as a facilitator and consultant to other religious communities.

After leaving office, she stayed in Cincinnati and worked in parish ministry as a pastoral associate. The forming of the Congregation of St. Joseph brought different opportunities so Maria decided to move to LaGrange Park to continue work as a facilitator and spiritual director, but that soon changed as she-was asked to become part of the newly formed leadership team at the LaGrange Park Center. During these times she served on various boards and committees which included Community Life and Ministry, Christ in the Wilderness, Nazareth Academy, Positive Living Creative Aging, Baton Rouge Spirituality Center and part of the formation team. When her term ended, she was a spiritual director through the ministry of The Well and once again served on various committees.

It was her wisdom, understanding, organizational and listening skills that helped make her so valuable in these many roles, but it was her joy, playfulness, wide interests, and love of people that made her a delightful companion and a challenging card game player.

Working, inquiring, and learning all went on together from her B.A. in Education from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul to numerous workshops, lectures and talks, to a Master’s degree from the University of Dayton in Educational Administration and a second Master’s degree from Seattle University in Washington in Religious Education, to a Certificate in Spiritual Direction. She said of the Seattle experience, “One of the most significant happenings in my life… It was a powerful force toward the integration of all aspects of life, a course I am always on.”

In between duties and education, she found time to share with friends her love of music, movies and interest in their lives. To be with God in these moments as well as her own need for quiet time with God, drew her into a deep prayer life and the habit of journaling. Her gift of listening not only was helpful to others but also to her relationship with God.

She cared deeply for the people she encountered and grew in the ability to see God’s goodness in each of them. She helped us to see the “more” and to keep reaching for the love God gives us through others.

Borrowing from a Blessing Prayer written by Sr. Jeannie Masterson on the occasion of Maria’s 50^th Jubilee, we pray:

“Bless her heart, open to all, ever expanding to include new groups as she has moved about the congregation… always learning, cherishing each experience.

“Bless her generous Spirit, grounded in prayer and ever ready to embrace the present moment.

“Bless all those with whom she has been in contact, where her presence has been a witness to your love.”

Amen.

Sister Maria is survived by her sister Helen Hill and by a sister-in-law Sharon Rohling.  She is predeceased by her parents, and two brothers, John K. and Richard Hill.  Funeral Liturgy at 6pm Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at the Alexian Chapel at the Congregation of St. Joseph, 1515 West Ogden Avenue, LaGrange Park, Illinois 60526.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to The Congregation of St. Joseph (address above) appreciated.  Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside, Illinois at 708/352-6500.