Sister Mary Annel, MM

Born: December 6, 1939
Entered: December 30, 1957
Died: April 14, 2024

On April 14th, 2024, at 8:45 a.m., Sister Mary Annel went gently home to the God Whom she had loved so much and served so well for over 66 years. She was 84 years old.

Mary Virginia Annel was born in Chicago, Illinois to George Annel and Iola Grelck Annel on December 6th, 1939, the oldest of three girls. Her sisters, Judy and Rose, and Rose’s husband, Eugene Soule have predeceased her. Mary kept close ties with family throughout her life.

Mary graduated from Immaculate Conception High School, Elmhurst, Illinois in 1957 and entered the Novitiate at Valley Park, Missouri on December 30th of that year from her home parish, St. Domitilla, Hillside, Illinois. In her application to Maryknoll, she expressed an interest in becoming a doctor. She was professed with the religious name, Sister Maura Christopher, on August 22nd, 1960, at Valley Park and professed her Final Vows on August 22nd, 1966 at Maryknoll, New York. Briefly interested in the Cloister, she later decided she was more inclined to an active, more rustic, life.

In 1960-1963, Mary worked at Maryknoll in the Promotion Department and as secretary to the Mother General. She studied for 2 years at Mary Rogers College in 1963-1965, then, she transferred to College of Mount St. Vincent, graduating with a pre-med degree in 1967. In 1971, she received her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) at Marquette University (later, Medical School of Wisconsin). She attended the University of Southern California (USC) Medical Complex, in a rotating internship program in 1971-1972. In 1972-1973, she attended Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana where she earned an M.A. in Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Assigned to the Mexico-Guatemala Region in 1973, she studied the Spanish Language in Cuernavaca, Mexico. In 1974-1988, she was assigned to Jacaltenango, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, working in the Diocesan Hospital and coordinating the Public Health Programs.

On June 15th, 1981, Mary received the George O. Tolbert International Health Award in Washington, D.C. The award intends to recognize attributes of compassion, generosity, service, sensitivity… love and concern for (others), and the pursuance of excellence. Their commendation summarizes well her ministry at the time:

“…Sister Mary Annel has directed Primary Health Care and a Preventive Medicine Program… and served as a consultant to the Association of Community Health Services, the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama, the Guatemalan Academy of Medical and Physical Sciences, and the Ministry of Health… Dr. Annel also directed the Rural Paramedics and Rural Health Promotors.”

She later wrote, “Our daily reality has seemed even grimmer than usual, with people being martyred for demanding honesty in government and equal rights. We have been meditating on the Gospel as it applies to our reality… try to respond in a Gospel way to needs as they arise. We’ve learned to live under tension, still carry on and laugh a little. We thank God for each new day.”

In 1988-1991, Mary did Mission Education in the Midwest U.S. In 1992, she led an investigation and analysis of data from Maryknollers’ worldwide HIV AIDS ministry resulting in a document: Worldwide Trends in AIDS and Recommendations for future Maryknoll Sisters’ AIDS Ministry.

With the expansion of AIDS, Mary went to El Salvador in 1993 and became the impulse behind the Catholic Church’s commitment to the AIDS ministry, initiating the Archdiocesan AIDS team, which evolved into an NGO, named the Salvadoran Foundation for the Fight Against AIDS Maria Lorena, which she cofounded with Lorraine Beinkafner. It is credited with stemming the spread of HIV and AIDS in the country. Familiarly known as Contrasida (Against AIDS), it was intended to serve families rather than individuals. Mary nurtured that spirit with monthly gatherings that included activities for children and youth, always with a festive meal, and a welcome chance for adults to exchange advice and encouragement. Her weekly clinic likewise provided social support around a meal prepared by volunteers. In general, the gangs, in whose area the clinic was located, respected her space and clientele, periodically availing themselves of her service.

Mary’s preventive workshops, geared towards behavioral change and respect for the dignity of each person, placed a special emphasis on the Catholic population. Through theater techniques with youth peer educators and youth volunteers, programs on Femininity and Masculinity, including in prisons, a Pastoral Accompaniment Program, an Alternative Economics Project and adult volunteers visiting families of people with AIDS near and far, Mary and Contrasida have touched many.

In 2005, presenting Mary with the National Catholic HIV/AIDS Network’s Lumina Award for her work in El Salvador, Fr. Robert Vitillo said, “I know that you are a great example of Christ’s Love and acceptance, especially to the young people whom you serve and challenge to serve each other.”

In 2011, Mary was the recipient of The Medical College of Wisconsin’s Humanitarian Award and cited healthier rural communities as her most significant success.

Mary is credited with achieving collaboration between the three Maryknoll entities in El Salvador: Maryknoll Sisters, Maryknoll Lay Missioners and the Maryknoll Society. We met monthly and celebrated Feasts together. One lay missioner defined this as “basic to our mission, providing both support and challenge.” Mary also initiated the Maryknoll Affiliates in El Salvador and faithfully sustained its growth. As one commendation received from there stated: “El Salvador will miss you.”

Over the years Contrasida was supported by all three entities and counted among its workers Maryknoll Lay Missioners and Maryknoll Sisters, the last being Sister Gloria Agnes who continued to accompany Mary faithfully during these recent years at the Center.

Those of us who lived with Mary had a willing live-in doctor, secretary and accountant and have happy memories of Game nights, Retreat Days, gourmet meals and her weeklong Easter cookies project.

Mary is survived by her nephew, Mike Soule and her nieces, Liz Erley and Laura Soule.

Today we welcome our Maryknoll brother, Fr. Dave LaBuda, MM, to celebrate the Eucharist with us.