Sr. Stephanie Dolyniuk

Sister Stephanie Dolyniuk, a member of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, entered eternal life on December 27, 2023.

     The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 5, 2024 in the Chapel of Annunciation Monastery.  Visitation is at Annunciation Monastery from 10:00 a.m. until the Vigil Service with Evening Prayer at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 4. 

     Sister Stephanie was born January 9, 1931, the youngest of the 12 children of Metro and Anne (Basaraba) Dolyniuk and baptized in the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Demetrius, Belfield, ND.  Stating that her call to religious life was present for as long as she could remember, she joined the community of Annunciation Monastery at the age of 23 and made her religious profession July 11, 1955.  Ministry in the business office and admissions at St. Alexius Hospital followed for the next 15 years.  Her service in pastoral ministry at Corpus Christi parish in Bismarck involving liturgy, music and spirituality programs as well as the Corpus Christi food pantry and neighborhood bereavement program were described by her as some of her most rewarding years. Sister Stephanie had a social work degree from Mary College and a masters in Pastoral Ministry from Seattle University.  She also ministered for the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas doing prison ministry and pioneering a mission church in Sandy Valley, Nevada.  Later work included parish ministry at St. Joseph’s and St. Patrick’s parishes in Dickinson, social work for Catholic Family Services in southwestern North Dakota providing programs for the rural farm and ranch crisis, and teaching at the University of Mary.   She stated that Jesus’ call to feed the hungry, visit the sick, and go to the imprisoned was her philosophy of life.

     Sister Stephanie was proud of her Ukrainian heritage and kept in touch with her nieces and nephews.  A great story teller who included accounts of the humorous in life, Sister Stephanie also was very fond of cats.  She counted these cats—some of which were clandestinely kept—among all those she called friends.

     Preceded in death by her parents, six brothers, and five sisters, Sister Stephanie is survived by her nieces, nephews, and the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery.

Memorials may be made to Annunciation Monastery.