Current Ministry Location: Maryknoll Sisters Center-Maryknoll, NY

Geraldine Wieczerzak was born July 31, 1932 in Philadelphia, PA to Josephine (Danielenko) Wieczerzak and Valentine Wieczerzak. She had 2 sisters: Constance & Joan and 1 brother: John. She graduated from Little Flower Catholic High School, Philadelphia in 1950.

Geraldine entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation September 2, 1961   from her home parish of St. Adalbert in Philadelphia, PA. She professed First Vows June 24, 1964 in Topsfield, MA and Final Vows May 19, 1971 in Guatemala. During novitiate, in 1967, Geraldine earned a Certificate in Theology from Iona College, New Rochelle, NY. Before Final Profession, in 1970, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Community Service from Mary Rogers College at the Center in NY.

Following the completion of her degree in 1970, Sister Geraldine received her first overseas mission assignment to Guatemala.  After studying Spanish in Cuernavaca, Mexico, she was secretary for the Maryknoll Societys’ superior and administrator of the Maryknoll Society’s center house in Guatemala City for 13 years. During these years, Sister Geraldine’s ministry also included pastoral work, parish bible study groups, and youth work.

Sister Geraldine returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY in 1983 and worked in the research and planning department until 1985. Then she was called for family ministry to care for her mother and sister in Philadelphia for ten years. In 1995 she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center to serve in the Congregational Secretariat office and as Administrative Assistant to the President and another leadership team member. In 2004, she semi-retired.

In speaking about her mission, Sister Geraldine says, “As I look over the past 50 years, the canvas of my life is filled with vibrant colors reflecting God’s wonderful graces of relationships, friendships, and love that have enriched my life in so many ways. Yes there are shadows, but they intensify the richness of the colors.”