February 2013
PEOPLE OF GOD
Rest
in
25
Peace
Sr. Alyce Mary Pruss, CSSF
Fr. Donald Richard Joseph Kapitz
Felician Franciscan Sr. Alyce Mary Pruss, CSSF, passed away on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent in Rio Rancho, NM. The daughter of Stanislaus and Eustasia Maciejewska Pruss, Alice Eva was born in Manville, WY, on June 15, 1916. When she was school age, in order to attend Catholic School, Alice lived with her grandparents in Ashton during the week and spent weekends with her family in Loup City. Her father’s death when she was seven created challenges for a young mother and three small children but the blessings outweighed the hardships. The kindness and joy of the Felician Sisters in Ashton sowed the seed of a vocation in young Alice and in 1930 she began her High School studies at Mother of Good Counsel in Chicago, IL. In 1934 she entered the religious Congregation of the Felician Sisters on Peterson Avenue in Chicago, where at her Investiture she was given the name Mary Lucillia. In 1936, she began her long career in education. Sister taught in 15 schools in Missouri, Illinois, Alabama, California, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas. In addition to teaching a grade or two, Sister served as vice-principal at Queen of Heaven in Albuquerque, NM from 1991-1992. From 1992-1996, she served as the Administrator of St. Clare Center at the provincial house of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rio Rancho, NM. During the next several years Sister was involved in numerous internal ministries, assisting others wherever she could. With failing eyesight Sr. Alyce devoted her life to the Prayer Ministry, beginning in 2005.
Fr. Donald Richard Joseph Kapitz died on February 2, 2013 after a lengthy and courageous battle with Parkinson Disease. He was born in Santa Fe on February 3, 1948 and was raised in Clovis. He was preceded in death by his mother Lupe Rubio Kapitz. Fr. Kapitz is survived by his father Richard Kapitz of WI, sister Mary Watson, brother Paul Kapitz (Cheryl), nephews and nieces Thomas Watson (Carly) Kelton and Alexander, Donny Watson (Shayna) Lucy and Aze, Ryan, Jordan, Madison and Gabriella. Fr. Kapitz attended IHM Seminary in Santa Fe and Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, TX, where he also received a Master Degree in Social Work from St. Mary University. He was ordained a priest by Archbishop James P. Davis on October 4, 1973 at Sacred Heart Church in Clovis. His assignments include St. John the Baptist Church in Santa Fe, Vocations Director, spiritual director of IHM seminary, and served as Spiritual Director for the Marriage Encounter Lay Ministry for many years. He earned a PhD in Moral Theology from the University of Notre Dame at the same time working at St. Adalbert Church in South Bend, IN. Upon his return to the archdiocese he became a professor at the University of Albuquerque and pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows in La Joya. His last assignment was pastor of Our Lady of Fatima in Albuquerque until his early retirement due to health issues. Fr. Kapitz requested that his body be donated to the Science Department of the University of New Mexico.