Sister Patrice Konwinski, OP, first female chancellor of the diocese, dies

 

Sister Patrice Konwinski, OP, entered eternal life on Dec. 30, 2020 at the age of 83 after 62 years of religious life. She was the first female chancellor of the Diocese of Grand Rapids and only the third woman in the U.S. to hold that position.

The Diocese of Grand Rapids’ Office of Communications issues the following statement from Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids, following the death of Sister Patrice Konwinski, OP, a former chancellor for the Diocese of Grand Rapids:

“Sister Patrice was a trailblazer. At a time when there were very few women in Church leadership, Bishop Joseph Breitenbeck appointed her as chancellor, providing an important role model for women who want to be involved in ministry.” (Read full statement)

Funeral Arrangements

All services are private due to the coronavirus

Evening Prayer with Remembering Service:
Sunday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m.
Dominican Chapel at Marywood

Funeral Mass:
Monday, Jan. 4 at 10 a.m.
Dominican Chapel at Marywood

Read Sister Patrice’s Life Story & Obituary (Dominican Sisters, Grand Rapids)

Sister Patrice Konwinski, OP, the first female chancellor of a Michigan diocese, the Diocese of Grand Rapids, and, at the time she was appointed, only the third woman in the U.S. to hold that position, has died at the age of 83. Sister Konwinski was named chancellor by Bishop Joseph M. Breitenbeck in July 1988 and continued in that position until her retirement in June 2007 serving under the leadership of four bishops of Grand Rapids including Bishop Breitenbeck, Bishop Robert J. Rose, Bishop Kevin M. Britt and, for two years, under the leadership of Bishop Walter A. Hurley.

 

In 1994, Sister Patrice received the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from the Foundation for Catholic Secondary Education of Greater Grand Rapids and upon her retirement, in June 2007 at the request of Bishop Hurley, she was awarded the Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal by Pope Benedict XVI. It is awarded in recognition of special service to the Church and the papacy. Bishop Hurley requested that Sister Patrice receive the papal honor for her 19 years of service to the Church in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Sister Patrice resigned from her position as chancellor in 2007 to pursue advanced studies in scripture and theology.

 

Sister Patrice met the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters during her college education at Aquinas College and joined the Congregation in 1957. In 2018, she celebrated her 60th jubilee as a Dominican sister, and shared a reflection at that time about her years of service as a consecrated religious woman, in administrative leadership, and involvement in the community. May she now rest in eternal peace.