With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Your servant the nun, Julia, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting. Kontakion
On Monday, August 24, 2015, Sister Julia Rohaly, OSB, a Byzantine Benedictine Sister of Queen of Heaven Monastery in Warren, Ohio, celebrated her entrance to eternal life with God. The Divine Liturgy of a deceased nun was celebrated by Metropolitan Archbishop William C Skurla in the church of SS. Peter and Paul in Warren, Ohio., along with the Reverend Andrew J. Deskevich, pastor of the parish Church and many other priests. Also attending were Sister Mary Bratrsovsky, Prioress of Sacred Heart Monastery in Lisle, Illinois, the Benedictine sisters of Lisle and Warren, and the family of Sister Julia, including devoted nieces and nephews: Also present were be the Oblates of Saint Benedict and members of Saint Benedict’s Auxiliary and friends. The evening before at the wake, Vespers of a Deceased Nun was prayed by all present.
Sister Julia was born in Harbor Creek, Pennsylvania and grew up in Erie. Her parents were George and Julia (Pirlock) Rohaly, both deceased. Her brothers were John, William, and Michael, and her sister was Anna Bulles, all deceased. Sister attended elementary and high school in Erie and worked for a number of years for General Electric in Erie, PA. She entered Sacred Heart Convent in Lisle Illinois and made profession of vows on July 26, 1960. She was a Charter member of Queen of Heaven Monastery of the Byzantine Rite which was founded in 1969.
Early in religious life, Sister Julia cooked for the sisters at the motherhouse in Lisle and at missions in Chicago. She also cooked for the sisters when they came to Warren. She then worked in food service at Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital in Warren until 1983 when she retired. She baked prosphora (altar bread) for Saints Peter and Paul Church and the monastery for many years. At the same time she ministered in the care of infants and children and to home-bound adults.
Sister Julia enjoyed life and God’s blessings. Bishop James Malone of the Youngstown Diocese always said she had a “million-dollar smile”. Sister was always faithful to community prayer. She was loved by her fellow sisters and many friends. She loved to work with her plants, and avidly collected and gave away recipes. She enjoyed contact with her many nieces and nephews who faithfully kept in touch with her. Sister resided at Windsor House in Champion, a nursing home in a suburb of Warren, Ohio. She was always well-liked by all.