Sr. Mary Agnestine (Martha Marie) Rosinski, CSSF, of Detroit, 87, religious for 69 years, entered eternal life September 11, 2021, in the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent, Livonia, Michigan.

Born on May 5, 1934, Martha was the third of four children born to Andrew and Eufrosine (Winowiecki): Alice (Gradus), Boniface, and Gregory. Baptized and confirmed at St. Francis Church, Detroit, Martha attended the parish grade school with a cousin, Jeanette Winowiecki, the former Sister Mary Pauline. The two cousins attended St. Casimir High School graduating in 1952. Martha entered the Felician Congregation and, on the day of her investiture in 1953, received the name Sister Mary Agnestine. First Vows were pronounced in 1954 and Final Profession in 1960.

Sister Mary Agnestine earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Madonna University and enrolled in additional classes and workshops at Central Michigan, Oakland University, and Sacred Heart Major Seminary, where she received certificates in Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (Religious Education) and Pastoral Ministry. 

Throughout a ministry education of 54 years, mainly in primary grades, Sister Agnestine taught at the following schools:  St. Stanislaus, Patronage of St. Joseph, Immaculate Conception, St. Hilary, St. Christine, St. Stephen – all in Detroit; St. Joseph, Manistee; St. Francis, Flint; St. Stanislaus, Jackson; Our Lady of Refuge, Orchard Lake; St. Hyacinth, Bay City; St. Valentine, Kawkawlin; St. Damian and St. Michael Livonia; St. Thecla, Clinton Township. In addition to teaching, Sister Agnestine was principal during 12 of these years.

As Director of Religious Education, Sister was also active in Pastoral Ministry and coordinator of the soup kitchen at St. Christine Parish, which served between 300-500 meals per week.  

Sister Agnestine, as mentor and leader, made great efforts to meet the needs of individual students.  Her qualities of leadership and dedication gained the respect of parents and teachers alike.  She moved about quietly and gently, and many treasured her friendship. She crossed the path of countless individuals these many years and left a footprint on their hearts.   

Sister Mary Agnestine will be remembered by the sisters as a prayerful religious who loved the Eucharistic Lord and who participated wholeheartedly in common exercises.  Her assigned ministry to the Presentation Prayer Center in Jackson, Michigan, was a cherished time.  Another memorable experience in her life that enhanced her love of silent prayer and meditation was a five-day retreat at the Trappist Monastery in Kentucky.    

Sister Mary Agnestine was permanently assigned to the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent in Livonia, Michigan, in 2009, where she was engaged in pastoral work visiting the sisters in St. Joseph Hall.  The prayer-filled years slipped quietly away.  In the early hours of September 11, 2021, Sister Mary Agnestine peacefully journeyed to eternity to meet the Lord whom she so faithfully served for 87 years, 69 in religious life.

Morning Praise began at 10:00 a.m. on September 14, 2021. The Mass of Resurrection was celebrated by Father Jerome Brzezinski, her cousin, at 10:30 a.m. in the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel of the Felician Sisters, Livonia, Michigan.  Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Michigan, was the place of burial.

Sister Agnestine is survived by nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews.