Sr. M. Joseph Cecile (Voelker) CSC

Sister M. Joseph Cecile, CSC

(Mary Cecilia Voelker)

August 13, 1937 – January 17, 2025

We share news of the death of Sister M. Joseph Cecile (Voelker), CSC, who died at 4:58 p.m. on January 17, 2025, in Saint Mary’s Convent, Notre Dame, Indiana. Sister Joseph Cecile entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross from Ventura, California, on September 7, 1955. Her initial profession of vows took place on August 15, 1958.

Please join us in prayer for Sister as we renew our faith in the resurrected Jesus and strengthen our hope that all the departed will be raised to eternal life.

Sister M. Joseph Cecile (Voelker), CSC, was a warmhearted woman whose compassion knew no bounds. During her tenure as principal of Holy Cross School, Ventura, California, a parent of a prospective student once asked her whether the homeless people near the school were ever a problem. After a brief pause, Sister Joseph Cecile replied, “Yes, we have a terrible problem… Sometimes our kids make fun of them.” This is only one example of many that demonstrates Sister Joseph Cecile’s kindness and desire to help all of God’s people throughout her 66 years as a consecrated Sister of the Holy Cross.

Born on August 13, 1937, Mary Cecilia, known as “Cela” by family and friends, grew up in a large, loving Catholic family. She was the second of nine children, and all were raised on the Voelker family farm in Ventura. Both parents were of German ancestry. Her father, Joseph William Voelker, was born in Germany and migrated to the United States as a young adult, while her mother, Cecilia (Friedrich) Voelker, was a second generation Ventura native who had German grandparents. The Voelkers became prominent citrus growers in the county. Since the parents were devout Catholics, the children grew up steeped in the faith. The family attended Wednesday night novenas, recited daily rosaries, and never missed Mass, despite living nearly eight miles away from church.

Throughout elementary and secondary school, Cecilia attended the Academy of Saint Catherine, Ventura, where she was introduced to the Sisters of the Holy Cross. She loved her Holy Cross teachers dearly and knew from the time she was in the second grade that she wanted to become one of them. By the time she graduated from high school in 1955, her older sister, Sister M. Francis James (Voelker), CSC, was already a professed Holy Cross sister. Sister M. Francis James predeceased her in 1972. Cecilia entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Indiana, on September 7, 1955. Upon reception of the holy habit, she became Sister Mary Joseph Cecile, in honor of her parents.

For almost 40 years, Sister Joseph Cecile was an esteemed educator in Catholic elementary schools sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. In California, between 1958 and 1968, she taught at St. Didacus School, San Diego; Stella Maris Academy, La Jolla; and St. Pius School, Redwood City. During this period, she earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Portland, Oregon, in 1964. Sister Joseph Cecile later earned a doctoral degree in education administration from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, in 1970, while serving as coordinator of elementary education in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. She was also the principal of several Holy Cross-sponsored schools in Washington and California for 17 years.

One of Sister Joseph Cecile’s most memorable assignments was in 1988 when she began her seven-year tenure as principal at Holy Cross School, Ventura. The school had no available land to expand and improve the building, so she had to be creative in utilizing the limited space efficiently. Under her direction, a janitor’s closet was turned into a small computer lab, and a storage area was converted into a colorful and inviting kindergarten classroom. She was greatly missed by parents, faculty and students when she left the school in 1995 to serve as area coordinator for the retired Holy Cross sisters in North America until 1999.

In 2000, Sister Joseph Cecile began her pastoral care ministry in Ogden, Utah, where she was a pastoral associate for 12 years at St. Joseph Parish. There, she coordinated the ministry to the homebound and to those in hospitals and nursing homes. She also facilitated the parish Bible study group and was part of the parish Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) team. Sister Joseph Cecile was a member of several boards in Ogden, including St. Joseph Catholic High School, the Diocesan Liturgy Commission, St. Anne’s Homeless Shelter, and Skaggs Family Foundation. Father Kenneth Vialpando, the pastor of St. Joseph parish, said that they would have to find 10 people to replace her once she retired. Wanda Spell, director of religious education in the parish, said at the ceremony celebrating Sister Joseph Cecile’s retirement in 2012, “You have been a great teacher, counselor, mentor, and friend… You have really taught us to not take things for granted, you have taught us to look for Christ in everyone.” Sister Joseph Cecile was a spiritual and guiding force for those at St. Joseph Parish. The clergy and parishioners were truly grateful for her 12 years devoted to the community of Ogden.

After 54 years of active ministry, Sister Joseph Cecile retired to Saint Catherine by the Sea Convent, Ventura, in the summer of 2012 for health reasons. She was happy to have more time to dedicate to prayer and her hobbies, genealogy and cooking. She joked that the sisters at Saint Catherine’s looked forward to her arrival because she would provide a fourth hand at bridge. In the years since her move to Ventura, she participated in a memory care prayer group and often drove sisters to doctor’s appointments. Her local community appreciated Sister Joseph Cecile’s help planning weekly liturgies in the convent chapel, supported by her playing the organ.  

Sister Joseph Cecile had overcome a series of health issues over the years. A little over a year ago, she transferred to Saint Mary’s Convent, Notre Dame. Her brother Chris visited her several times and brought with him the love and support of her extended family. She missed California terribly. Chris gave her a sense of home. On his last visit to the motherhouse to visit his dear Cela, they just sat together in the comfort of each other’s presence. During that visit, during the hour before sunset on January 17, 2025, she unexpectedly just slipped away. Sister Joseph Cecile was the first death of the Congregation in the new year—and during the jubilee year, themed “Pilgrims of Hope.” This daughter of Holy Cross has now passed through the Holy Door and been welcomed home to God’s embrace. One great family reunion has begun.

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