When she entered religious life in 1940, the United States had not yet become involved in World War II. A year later, Sister Benjamin Chrapczynski was invested (received her veil) in the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis.
The order, based in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, has had a presence in Garfield Heights since 1907. For many years, the sisters ministered to the growing Polish population in the diocese.
They operated Marymount High School, an all-girls school established in 1926 as St. Joseph Academy in the convent. It was renamed Marymount High School in 1939 and in 1973, it became the current coed Trinity High School.
The local province of SSJ-TOSF sisters occupied a motherhouse on the expansive property in Garfield Heights. In 1949, the sisters established Marymount Hospital, now part of the Cleveland Clinic, and later, the Village at Marymount, now a large, faith-based community that includes independent and assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation.
A Lorain native, Sister Benjamin said she joined the order at age 14. She marks 85 years of religious life this year and will celebrate her 100th birthday on July 20.
During his visit to Marymount Hospital on June 2, Bishop Edward Malesic stopped at Villa St. Joseph on the Marymount campus, where Sister Benjamin lives. He spent some time talking with her, some relatives and friends, praying and offering a blessing in thanksgiving for her many years of service to the Church.
Sister, who had a career as an elementary school teacher, recalled having a class of 72 students one year – when she was only 18 years old.
She taught in Michigan and Ohio and spent time at two Polish parishes in the diocese, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Stanislaus, both in Lorain. St. Stanislaus closed in 2009 during the diocesan reconfiguration and Nativity of the BVM marked its 125th anniversary in 2023.
“I’ve seen lots of changes in the world and in my religious community,” she told the bishop.
When asked how she spends her time now, Sister Benjamin said she prays every day. She said helping people and praying are two of the things she most loves about religious life.
Sister Benjamin was among the religious sisters, brothers and priests whose significant years of service were recognized by the diocese during the annual jubilee celebration in April. She is this year’s longest-serving jubilarian. Unfortunately, health challenges precluded her from attending the Mass and luncheon.
Sister’s family is planning a celebration this summer for her birthday.