Sister Mary Barbara Morscher, SND

(formerly Sister Mary Dennine)

Professed January 3, 1963

Barbara was born on December 11, 1942 to Joseph and Mary (Kapolka) Morscher. She was the second of three girls. Barbara was taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph at St. Aloysius Elementary School. She admired the Sisters so much that in eighth grade, she asked her mother for permission to join the Aspirant program at St. Joseph convent, Rocky River. Her mother preferred that Barbara defer such a decision until after high school. At graduation, Barbara was honored with a scholarship to St. Peter High School, staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame. A good student, she was elected to Student Council, co-edited the school newspaper, and enjoyed acting in school plays. She said that during her high school years, she found “the best friends and Sisters.” Guided by God’s providence, Barbara became a postulant on July 2, 1960; at investment she was given the name Sister Mary Dennine.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John College in Cleveland in 1967, and a master’s degree in education from John Carroll University in 1976. Her active ministries, all in Ohio, span 51 years. She taught middle and junior high grades for 11 years, with assignments at St. Francis of Assisi, Gates Mills; St. Mary, Massillon; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Cleveland; and St. Joan of Arc, Chagrin Falls. Classrooms and assemblies were lively with music from her accordion; she also learned to play the guitar for programs and liturgical celebrations.

Sister Barbara’s educational leadership strengthened parish schools over the next 24 years, as she served as principal at St. Helen School, Newbury; St. Mary, Elyria; St. Justin Martyr, Eastlake; and St. Margaret Mary, South Euclid. In 2000, Sister Barbara’s prayerful discernment led her to spend 16 years in pastoral ministry and religious education at Ascension Parish, Cleveland; St. Mary/St. Francis Cabrini Parish in Conneaut; Corpus Christi, Conneaut; Sacred Heart Parish in Rock Creek and St. Mary Parish, Orwell. In each place and community, Sister Barbara lived her faith and showed her generosity of heart. “Possessing the freedom of the Children of God,” she wrote, “I can be an instrument of love and compassion to God’s people wherever I am called to serve.”

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 20, at 10:30 a.m. at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center. It will be live-streamed. Visitation will be from 9:30 until Mass begins.