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The Sisters are:
Sister Thérèse Marie, S.V., 36, a native of Commack, graduated from SUNY Maritime College with a bachelor’s degree in business marine transportation and business administration. Before entering the Sisters of Life in 2005, she was a volunteer coordinator and pregnancy consultant at the Life Center of Long Island. She serves at the Co-Workers of Life Mission in Manhattan, coordinating the efforts of lay people who join the Sisters of Life in their outreach to pregnant women. She is the fourth of five children of Michael Saglimbeni and Virginia Corbett.
Sister Fiat Marie, S.V., 36, a native of Onsted, Mich., graduated from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with bachelor’s degrees in humanities and Catholic culture and theology. Before entering the Sisters of Life in 2005, she was working for Generation Life in chastity and pro-life education. She serves at Sacred Heart of Jesus Convent in Manhattan, where pregnant women, vulnerable to abortion, live side-by-side with Sisters. She is the youngest of five children of Barclay and Kathleen Hayes.
Sister Bernadette Thérèse, S.V., 36, a native of Sherrard, Ill., she graduated from Monmouth College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Before entering the Sisters of Life in 2007, she taught at a Catholic school. She serves at Villa Maria Guadalupe, a retreat center in Stamford, Conn., owned by the Knights of Columbus and operated by the Sisters of Life. She is the oldest of three children of John and Luann Swan.
Sister Maria Anne Michela, S.V., 34, a native of Carmel, Ind., graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a master’s in bimolecular chemistry. She entered the Sisters of Life in 2007. She serves at Visitation Mission in Manhattan, assisting women in crisis pregnancies. She is the daughter of John and Eileen Takach and has one brother.
Sister Hosanna Immaculata, S.V., 34, a native of Brooklyn, graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology and from CUNY Kingsborough with a nursing degree. Before entering the Sisters of Life in 2007, she was working as a nursing assistant at a nursing home and assisting at a rectory. She serves in the Visitation Mission in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assisting women with crisis pregnancies. She is the third of four children of Nestur and Elvira Pereyra.
Sister Amata Filia, S.V., 33, a native of Sealy, Texas, graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Before entering the Sisters of Life in 2007, she was working as the business manager for the Coalition for Life, a pro-life organization in College Station, Texas. She serves in the Visitation Mission in Manhattan, assisting women in crisis pregnancies. She is the daughter of Melvin and Beverly Dierschke and has one sister.
Sister Mariae Agnus Dei, S.V., 31, a native of East Wilton, Me., graduated from The Catholic University of America with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Before entering the Sisters of Life in 2007, she was working as a nurse in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Silver Spring, Md. She serves at Visitation Mission in Manhattan, assisting women in crisis pregnancies. She is the daughter of the late Dr. William Yates, and his wife, Margaret Yates. She is the seventh of eight children, including Sister Mary Louise Concepta, S.V.
Sister Bethany Madonna, S.V., 30, a native of Melbourne, Fla., graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communication. Before entering the Sisters of Life in 2007, she was working in the Respect Life Office of the Diocese of Orlando, Fla. She serves as an assistant to the novice director of the Sisters of Life, helping to form young Sisters in religious life. She is the second of three children of Bill and Rita Burwell.
