Sister Viatora Solbach — 70 years

BORN: Clifton, Kan.
ENTERED CONGREGATION: March 18, 1940

Mary Catherine Solbach was born Dec. 6, 1921, on a farm near Clifton, Kan. When she entered our community, she was given the religious name Sister Viatora.

Her primary focus seems to be one of gratitude, first to her family, who nurtured her early love of Jesus, and to the community that gave her so many opportunities for service — especially the initial founding of Manna House of Prayer in Clyde. Sister Vi enjoyed teaching as well as parish ministry, and she served in cities across Kansas and in Illinois. Her great love was service to the poor and the homeless, and her focus was very much on a sense of justice for the racial discrimination she perceived.

As Sister Viatora’s health failed, the one great difficult move was to a care home. But this, too, was a total acceptance to the call of service and obedience.

Today speech is very difficult, but the engaging smile that greets family and friends is the one welcoming feature of her love and friendship these past 70 years of ministry as a Sister of St. Joseph of Concordia.

Sister Viatora’s life has been filled with joy, energy and prayerful reflection.

— Written by Sister Anne Martin Reinert