Sister Marie Therese Fettig, CSJ

Virginia Fettig was born in Detroit, Michigan on October, 1921, the daughter of Arthur and Jenny (Sands) Fettig. Virginia was a member of St. Rita Parish in Detroit at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on June 19, 1937. She received the name Sister Marie Therese at her reception on January 7, 1938. She pronounced first vows on January 8, 1940, and final vows on January 8, 1943. Sister Marie Therese earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a minor in French from Nazareth College and a Master of Arts Degree in Music from the university Notre Dame. She also earned a Master of Arts degree in Systemic Theology and Liturgy from St John University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Sister Marie Therese taught in several schools of the congregation including St. Anne in Detroit, St. Gertrude in St. Clair Shores and St. David in Detroit. Twenty-seven years were devoted to teaching music and serving as organist, choir, and liturgy director. Many summers were spent teaching music at Nazareth College. After forty-four years in education, Sister Marie Therese transitioned into Religious Education as a coordinator, director of adult education, teacher trainer and high school Religious teacher. After her father's death, she lived with and cared for her mother and also taught music at St. Cecile Academy of Music in Windsor, Ontario. In 1993 Sister Marie Therese retired to Nazareth where she continued to teach piano during her retirement years. Sister Marie Therese possessed a warm, cheerful personality enhanced by her beautiful, smiling countenance. A deep relationship with God sustained her and prayer was the touchstone of her life. Her favorite Scripture passage, "He who is mighty has done great things for me", made her always conscious of the active presence of God in her life. Sister Marie Therese was most grateful for the love and support that she received from family and friends. She considered friendship as one of God's greatest gifts and especially cherished the friendship and inspiration of her CSJ community. May Sister Marie Therese now enjoy eternal life in God's loving embrace. Friends will be received at Nazareth Center on Wednesday, April 6 at 4 PM for the Welcome Home, with a Vigil Service held at 7:00 PM in Holy Family Chapel where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, April 7 at 10:30 AM. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.