Sister Mary Michael of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, PCPA
February 25, 1931 - November 10, 2025
On November 10, 2025 at the age of 94, Sister Mary Michael of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, PCPA peacefully went home to the Lord. Fortified by the sacraments of the Church and surrounded by her community, Sr. Michael completed over 74 years of religious life at 11:37am during a brief and rare early snow shower.
Born on February 25, 1931 to Joseph and Helen Shinosky, Evelyn entered Sancta Clara Monastery in Canton, Ohio on August 15, 1951 and received the habit and her new name the following May. Sister Mary Michael made her 1st profession on May 1st, 1954.
Adventures with Mother Angelica
Not long after her solemn profession on May 1st of 1960, Sister Michael agreed to come with Mother Angelica to the new foundation in the South. Sister Michael loved her vocation from the beginning and put her whole heart into all the challenges of this new adventure.
With an unassuming nature, Sister Michael would shrug when anyone showed surprised interest over the details of this new monastic beginning. From squeezing into an overcrowded station wagon with her paper bag of ‘belongings’ for that first trip to Alabama, to each of Mother Angelica’s new inspirations to evangelize, Sister Michael showed stalwart fidelity to the Lord through thick and thin.
Sister’s Talents, Wisdom, and Devotion
Our dear Sister was renowned in the monastery for her talent in baking, cooking and sewing. Sisters frequently sought her advice when an insurmountable difficulty arose in the kitchen, or a novice was at an impasse making a new habit. When it came time for community Christmas baking, the evening was never complete until Sr. Michael arrived to sample and approve the various confections. To be told by Sister Michael that your pie had a good crust was the highest of compliments.
Known for her practical wisdom and sensible approach to challenges, in her senior years, Sister Michael was called upon to serve our community as Vicar and Councilor for several terms. She had a deep love for her Catholic Faith and was especially inspired by the Church Fathers, becoming a fervent devotee and avid reader of Saint Augustine, who in her estimation was the greatest. She held in high esteem the priesthood and missionaries who make tremendous sacrifices for the faith she loves so much. Sr. Michael greatly treasured her relationships with family and friends who each held an important place in her heart. It was beautiful to witness her sense of gratitude for all who showed her kindness.
Her Deepening Spiritual Life and Legacy
Our eldest Sister’s love for our young vocations and new members took on a new spark as she drew closer to eternity. Her love of the PCPA life and fidelity to prayer continued to grow throughout her last days on earth. She persevered in attending Mass until she no longer had the strength to sit in her usual place. Once she had moved into the Infirmary, Sisters would often find her having fallen asleep with her hands folded in prayer, or silently praying, oblivious to her visitors.
Sister Michael would often say in her last days “I am so grateful for all the prayers for me.” No doubt she would want all to experience as she did the truth of these words of her beloved St. Augustine: “To fall in love with God is the greatest romance: to seek Him the greatest adventure: to find Him, the greatest human achievement.”