Sister M. John Christi D’Alessandro, IHM died in Camilla Hall on Monday, October 28, 2024 in the 66th year of her religious life.
Catherine D’Alessandro was born on January 27, 1939; her parents Herman Joseph (who passed away when Catherine was 12) and Mary (Carman) D’Alessandro lived in Our Lady of Angels Parish in Philadelphia. Sister grew up with two sisters and three brothers.
Catherine graduated from, Our Lady of Angels Elementary School (1944-1952), and West Catholic Girls’ High (1952-1956). While in the Community, Sister graduated from Immaculata College.
After teaching for 2-1/2 years at St. Clement Elementary School in Philadelphia, Catherine entered the Community on February 11, 1959. She received her habit and her religious name, Sister M. John Christi, on August 17, 1959, and professed First Vows on August 17, 1961.
During Sister’s teaching ministry, she instructed children in grades 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Sister John Christi was very versatile and equally capable with each grade level. Sister instructed children at St. Jane in Easton, St. Edmund, Incarnation, and St. Anselm each in Philadelphia.
Sister served as Superior and Principal at Annunciation Convent/School in Bellmawr, NJ for three years. Next, Sister served in the same capacity at St. Joan of Arc in Philadelphia for six years.
For the next 19 years, Sister John Christi was the Principal at St. Dominic School in Philadelphia (8-86–8-96) and Immaculate Conception School in Levittown (8-96–8-05).
In August 2005 Sister ministered at the IHM Educational Center at St. Martin School as its Director and Receptionist through the school year ending in 2012.
In August 2012 Sister John Christi’s ministry veered from serving in school to serving as Finance Director of our Health Care Center at Camilla Hall. Sister worked diligently and prudently in this capacity until her health began to slow her down.
In August 2023 until her death on October 28, 2024, Sister was a faithful and joyful member of the Apostolate of Prayer Team at Camilla Hall. God rest Sister John, a loving servant to her Sisters, her colleagues, and all those to whom she ministered.
In addition to her IHM Community, Sister M. John Christi is survived by her sisters Dolores Pili and Mary D’Angelis, her brothers Henry (Marie), Joseph (Lorraine), her sister-in-law Edith and her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Sister is predeceased by her parents Herman J. D’Alessandro and Mary (Carman) D’Alessandro, her brother Herman D’Alessandro and brother-in-law Fred Pili.
Reverend Matthew P. Windle, main celebrant and homilist, along with Reverend John E. Calabro, Reverend Anthony Albenaze, and Reverend John Burger, SSC concelebrated Sister M. John Christi’s Funeral Mass on Monday, November 4, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355
Live streaming will be available Here.
Memorial donations may be sent to Camilla Hall Nursing Home in care of IHM Mission Advancement Office.