Sr. Julia Wagner, Csj

Sr. Julia Wagner, CSJ died Monday, October 24, 2011at the age of 91 in the Tipton Hospital. A resident of St. Joseph Center since 2004, she had been in poor health for some time and died peacefully with other Sisters at her side.

Matthias and Helen (Kamer) Wagner gave birth to Mary Elizabeth Wagner May 15, 1920 in Kokomo, Indiana. Mary was baptized in St. Patrick Church in Kokomo, Indiana June 6, 1920. On December 28, 1935, at the age of 15, Mary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in Tipton, Indiana and was given the name Sister Mary Julia. She professed final vows on July 2, 1941 and celebrated her 75th year as a Sister of St. Joseph in 2010. Her parents and siblings, Hubert Wagner, Paul Wagner, Joseph Wagner, Elizabeth Wagner Cook and Margaret Wagner Arney have all preceded her in death. She is survived by many nieces and nephews and the Congregation of St. Joseph.

Sister Julia graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from St. Joseph College in Renssalear, Indiana in 1964, and earned a Masters degree in Latin and English from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, in 1967. Over the next several years, Sister Julia, who never stopped learning, earned certificates in Normal Aging, Contemporary Christianity and Nurturing Spiritual Growth.

Sister Julia began her long and happy teaching ministry in 1940 at St. Bernard Catholic School in South Bend, Indiana. For the next 30 years, she taught in parochial schools in Wabash, Lebanon, Tipton, Kokomo, Crawfordsville, Marion and at St. Joseph Academy in Tipton. In 1970, Sister Julia, began her ministry as a Social Worker with Catholic Charities in Cincinnati, Ohio where she served for seven years. She also served as Social Services Coordinator in Lebanon, Indiana. In 1981, Sister Julia, combining her gifts for working with families and individuals with her zeal for the Church, began serving in the Office of Evangelization in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Long after her retirement, Sister Julia continued to serve in her Noblesville Parish as a volunteer. She was gifted with a heart for welcoming, listening and encouraging others to create a personal relationship with God and others. She was, at heart, an evangelist whose personal mission was to be a unifying presence.

When Sister Julia returned to St. Joseph Center in Tipton, Indiana, she remained committed to listening and leading others to seek and find answers in their spiritual quest for meanings. Even in her illness, she sought community and reverenced the moments she could share in the lives of sisters, staff, family, associates and friends. Her legacy will be her love for others and her deep desire to offer challenge and encouragement to all who were a part of her spiritual journey.

Visitation is scheduled at St. Joseph Center Chapel in Tipton, Indiana for Friday, October 28, beginning at 4:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday morning, October 29, preceding the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., at which Father John Judie from Louisville, Kentucky will preside. Burial will be in the Cemetery at St. Joseph Center following the Mass. May Sister Julia now rest in Christ’s eternal peace.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.