She was born Winifred Theodosia Aaron and raised on a Clarion County farm. She taught in the Public School of Clarion County until 1910 when she entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Charity of Mother Elizabeth Seton in Greensburg.
Sister Cyril immediately became a leader in the Community. She advanced rapidly to become the Dean of Seton Hill College. She was a gifted teacher. Her many pupils through the years continued to visit and retain a close friendship with her. Sister earned a Masters Degree at Fordham University and was ready for a Doctorate when she made the decision to devote her life to the Hill District Apostolate.
In 1942, Father Norbert Georges, O.P., Postulator for the cause of Blessed Martin de Porres, came to Seton Hill to lecture. Sister Cyril was challenged when she heard of the plight of the Poor Negroes in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. She determined to get to the root of the problem. Sister proceeded to talk with Father Tom Lappan of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and some other Pittsburgh priests. They agreed that the Sisters were needed in the Hill District. Proper permission of Bishop Boyle and Mother Claudia were obtained and the work began.
Sister Cyril first resided in South Side, Holy Cross Parish. She then moved to Fernando Street in the Hill District. The first permanent location was the House of Mary at 1614 Webster Avenue, Hill District. From 1944 until 1960, Sister Cyril and two other Sisters of Charity lived there and worked day and night for the Poor Negroes of the Hill District.
During these sixteen years at the House of Mary, Sister Cyril worked mainly with St. Benedict the Moor and St. Brigid Parishes. Each year some fifty Negro converts were received into the Church. These were the unchurched Negroes. They now form a substantial congregation at St. Brigid's. The Negroes of the Hill district of every creed were welcome to the friendship and goodness and charity of these Catholic Nuns. When they needed food, clothing, fuel, consolation, they came to Sister Cyril and her helpers. It was in these years that Sister Cyril became the "Precursor of the Modern Nun in the Modern World"
In 1960, Bishop Wright gave permission for the building of the Ozanam Center. Sister Cyril and the Sisters then moved to the old Rectory at St. Brigid's adjoining the new Ozanam Center. Additional Sisters were sent by the Seton Hill MOtherhouse to staff the Ozanam Center.
In 1960, Bishop Wright officially chartered the Ladies of Charity in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Sister Cyril became the Sister Moderator. Sister immediately put the Ladies to work in the Hill district Apostolate. The Ladies visited the homes of the Poor Negroes. They conducted sewing classes in the new Ozanam Center and staffed the Library at the Center.
Then the tragedy of Sister Cyril's retirement was brought in 1963 when she fell down the steps while taking care of the needs of a poor family. Today the Ozanam Center thrives because of the great work of this dedicated pioneer of charity - Sister Mary Cyril Aaron, S.C. May her noble soul rest in peace.
On Easter Monday Morning, March 27, 1967, Sister Cyril died in Assumption Hall, Seton Hill Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity, Greensburg, PA. Her body was brought to Ozanam Center, Hill District of Pittsburgh, for viewing by the thousands of Negro people among whom she worked for a quarter of a century. The Sisters of Charity of Ozanam Center maintained an ALL NIGHT VIGIL at her wake from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday morning. On Easter Wednesday, Solemn Mass was offered in St. Brigid Church for Sister Cyril, and Bishop Wright conducted the Absolution Service following the Holy Mass. Sister Cyril's body was then returned to Seton Hill Motherhouse where on Easter Thursday, Bishop Connare offered the Funeral Mass. Her body was laid to rest in the Sisters of Charity Graveyard at Seton Hill.
From the Association of Ladies of Charity Newsletter, April 1967. Reprinted in St. Nicholas of Tolentino Sesquicentennial Book, page 100. Added by Barbara Mogush Oct. 4, 2011
Sister Cyril immediately became a leader in the Community. She advanced rapidly to become the Dean of Seton Hill College. She was a gifted teacher. Her many pupils through the years continued to visit and retain a close friendship with her. Sister earned a Masters Degree at Fordham University and was ready for a Doctorate when she made the decision to devote her life to the Hill District Apostolate.
In 1942, Father Norbert Georges, O.P., Postulator for the cause of Blessed Martin de Porres, came to Seton Hill to lecture. Sister Cyril was challenged when she heard of the plight of the Poor Negroes in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. She determined to get to the root of the problem. Sister proceeded to talk with Father Tom Lappan of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and some other Pittsburgh priests. They agreed that the Sisters were needed in the Hill District. Proper permission of Bishop Boyle and Mother Claudia were obtained and the work began.
Sister Cyril first resided in South Side, Holy Cross Parish. She then moved to Fernando Street in the Hill District. The first permanent location was the House of Mary at 1614 Webster Avenue, Hill District. From 1944 until 1960, Sister Cyril and two other Sisters of Charity lived there and worked day and night for the Poor Negroes of the Hill District.
During these sixteen years at the House of Mary, Sister Cyril worked mainly with St. Benedict the Moor and St. Brigid Parishes. Each year some fifty Negro converts were received into the Church. These were the unchurched Negroes. They now form a substantial congregation at St. Brigid's. The Negroes of the Hill district of every creed were welcome to the friendship and goodness and charity of these Catholic Nuns. When they needed food, clothing, fuel, consolation, they came to Sister Cyril and her helpers. It was in these years that Sister Cyril became the "Precursor of the Modern Nun in the Modern World"
In 1960, Bishop Wright gave permission for the building of the Ozanam Center. Sister Cyril and the Sisters then moved to the old Rectory at St. Brigid's adjoining the new Ozanam Center. Additional Sisters were sent by the Seton Hill MOtherhouse to staff the Ozanam Center.
In 1960, Bishop Wright officially chartered the Ladies of Charity in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Sister Cyril became the Sister Moderator. Sister immediately put the Ladies to work in the Hill district Apostolate. The Ladies visited the homes of the Poor Negroes. They conducted sewing classes in the new Ozanam Center and staffed the Library at the Center.
Then the tragedy of Sister Cyril's retirement was brought in 1963 when she fell down the steps while taking care of the needs of a poor family. Today the Ozanam Center thrives because of the great work of this dedicated pioneer of charity - Sister Mary Cyril Aaron, S.C. May her noble soul rest in peace.
On Easter Monday Morning, March 27, 1967, Sister Cyril died in Assumption Hall, Seton Hill Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity, Greensburg, PA. Her body was brought to Ozanam Center, Hill District of Pittsburgh, for viewing by the thousands of Negro people among whom she worked for a quarter of a century. The Sisters of Charity of Ozanam Center maintained an ALL NIGHT VIGIL at her wake from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday morning. On Easter Wednesday, Solemn Mass was offered in St. Brigid Church for Sister Cyril, and Bishop Wright conducted the Absolution Service following the Holy Mass. Sister Cyril's body was then returned to Seton Hill Motherhouse where on Easter Thursday, Bishop Connare offered the Funeral Mass. Her body was laid to rest in the Sisters of Charity Graveyard at Seton Hill.
From the Association of Ladies of Charity Newsletter, April 1967. Reprinted in St. Nicholas of Tolentino Sesquicentennial Book, page 100. Added by Barbara Mogush Oct. 4, 2011
She was born Winifred Theodosia Aaron and raised on a Clarion County farm. She taught in the Public School of Clarion County until 1910 when she entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Charity of Mother Elizabeth Seton in Greensburg.
Sister Cyril immediately became a leader in the Community. She advanced rapidly to become the Dean of Seton Hill College. She was a gifted teacher. Her many pupils through the years continued to visit and retain a close friendship with her. Sister earned a Masters Degree at Fordham University and was ready for a Doctorate when she made the decision to devote her life to the Hill District Apostolate.
In 1942, Father Norbert Georges, O.P., Postulator for the cause of Blessed Martin de Porres, came to Seton Hill to lecture. Sister Cyril was challenged when she heard of the plight of the Poor Negroes in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. She determined to get to the root of the problem. Sister proceeded to talk with Father Tom Lappan of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and some other Pittsburgh priests. They agreed that the Sisters were needed in the Hill District. Proper permission of Bishop Boyle and Mother Claudia were obtained and the work began.
Sister Cyril first resided in South Side, Holy Cross Parish. She then moved to Fernando Street in the Hill District. The first permanent location was the House of Mary at 1614 Webster Avenue, Hill District. From 1944 until 1960, Sister Cyril and two other Sisters of Charity lived there and worked day and night for the Poor Negroes of the Hill District.
During these sixteen years at the House of Mary, Sister Cyril worked mainly with St. Benedict the Moor and St. Brigid Parishes. Each year some fifty Negro converts were received into the Church. These were the unchurched Negroes. They now form a substantial congregation at St. Brigid's. The Negroes of the Hill district of every creed were welcome to the friendship and goodness and charity of these Catholic Nuns. When they needed food, clothing, fuel, consolation, they came to Sister Cyril and her helpers. It was in these years that Sister Cyril became the "Precursor of the Modern Nun in the Modern World"
In 1960, Bishop Wright gave permission for the building of the Ozanam Center. Sister Cyril and the Sisters then moved to the old Rectory at St. Brigid's adjoining the new Ozanam Center. Additional Sisters were sent by the Seton Hill MOtherhouse to staff the Ozanam Center.
In 1960, Bishop Wright officially chartered the Ladies of Charity in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Sister Cyril became the Sister Moderator. Sister immediately put the Ladies to work in the Hill district Apostolate. The Ladies visited the homes of the Poor Negroes. They conducted sewing classes in the new Ozanam Center and staffed the Library at the Center.
Then the tragedy of Sister Cyril's retirement was brought in 1963 when she fell down the steps while taking care of the needs of a poor family. Today the Ozanam Center thrives because of the great work of this dedicated pioneer of charity - Sister Mary Cyril Aaron, S.C. May her noble soul rest in peace.
On Easter Monday Morning, March 27, 1967, Sister Cyril died in Assumption Hall, Seton Hill Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity, Greensburg, PA. Her body was brought to Ozanam Center, Hill District of Pittsburgh, for viewing by the thousands of Negro people among whom she worked for a quarter of a century. The Sisters of Charity of Ozanam Center maintained an ALL NIGHT VIGIL at her wake from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday morning. On Easter Wednesday, Solemn Mass was offered in St. Brigid Church for Sister Cyril, and Bishop Wright conducted the Absolution Service following the Holy Mass. Sister Cyril's body was then returned to Seton Hill Motherhouse where on Easter Thursday, Bishop Connare offered the Funeral Mass. Her body was laid to rest in the Sisters of Charity Graveyard at Seton Hill.
From the Association of Ladies of Charity Newsletter, April 1967. Reprinted in St. Nicholas of Tolentino Sesquicentennial Book, page 100. Added by Barbara Mogush Oct. 4, 2011
Sister Cyril immediately became a leader in the Community. She advanced rapidly to become the Dean of Seton Hill College. She was a gifted teacher. Her many pupils through the years continued to visit and retain a close friendship with her. Sister earned a Masters Degree at Fordham University and was ready for a Doctorate when she made the decision to devote her life to the Hill District Apostolate.
In 1942, Father Norbert Georges, O.P., Postulator for the cause of Blessed Martin de Porres, came to Seton Hill to lecture. Sister Cyril was challenged when she heard of the plight of the Poor Negroes in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. She determined to get to the root of the problem. Sister proceeded to talk with Father Tom Lappan of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and some other Pittsburgh priests. They agreed that the Sisters were needed in the Hill District. Proper permission of Bishop Boyle and Mother Claudia were obtained and the work began.
Sister Cyril first resided in South Side, Holy Cross Parish. She then moved to Fernando Street in the Hill District. The first permanent location was the House of Mary at 1614 Webster Avenue, Hill District. From 1944 until 1960, Sister Cyril and two other Sisters of Charity lived there and worked day and night for the Poor Negroes of the Hill District.
During these sixteen years at the House of Mary, Sister Cyril worked mainly with St. Benedict the Moor and St. Brigid Parishes. Each year some fifty Negro converts were received into the Church. These were the unchurched Negroes. They now form a substantial congregation at St. Brigid's. The Negroes of the Hill district of every creed were welcome to the friendship and goodness and charity of these Catholic Nuns. When they needed food, clothing, fuel, consolation, they came to Sister Cyril and her helpers. It was in these years that Sister Cyril became the "Precursor of the Modern Nun in the Modern World"
In 1960, Bishop Wright gave permission for the building of the Ozanam Center. Sister Cyril and the Sisters then moved to the old Rectory at St. Brigid's adjoining the new Ozanam Center. Additional Sisters were sent by the Seton Hill MOtherhouse to staff the Ozanam Center.
In 1960, Bishop Wright officially chartered the Ladies of Charity in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Sister Cyril became the Sister Moderator. Sister immediately put the Ladies to work in the Hill district Apostolate. The Ladies visited the homes of the Poor Negroes. They conducted sewing classes in the new Ozanam Center and staffed the Library at the Center.
Then the tragedy of Sister Cyril's retirement was brought in 1963 when she fell down the steps while taking care of the needs of a poor family. Today the Ozanam Center thrives because of the great work of this dedicated pioneer of charity - Sister Mary Cyril Aaron, S.C. May her noble soul rest in peace.
On Easter Monday Morning, March 27, 1967, Sister Cyril died in Assumption Hall, Seton Hill Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity, Greensburg, PA. Her body was brought to Ozanam Center, Hill District of Pittsburgh, for viewing by the thousands of Negro people among whom she worked for a quarter of a century. The Sisters of Charity of Ozanam Center maintained an ALL NIGHT VIGIL at her wake from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday morning. On Easter Wednesday, Solemn Mass was offered in St. Brigid Church for Sister Cyril, and Bishop Wright conducted the Absolution Service following the Holy Mass. Sister Cyril's body was then returned to Seton Hill Motherhouse where on Easter Thursday, Bishop Connare offered the Funeral Mass. Her body was laid to rest in the Sisters of Charity Graveyard at Seton Hill.
From the Association of Ladies of Charity Newsletter, April 1967. Reprinted in St. Nicholas of Tolentino Sesquicentennial Book, page 100. Added by Barbara Mogush Oct. 4, 2011
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