Sister Helen Capulak, OSB papers

Sister Helen Capulak, OSB was born on December 26th, 1918 in Ontario, Canada to Slovakian parents. She entered the community on January 14th, 1935, making her first vows on August 16th, 1936. Sister made her final profession on December 26th, 1939. While Sister initially recieved the name Sister Stanislaus in religion, after Vatican II she returned to using her baptismal name, becoming Sister Helen.

After becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1943, Sister Helen attended DePaul University where she earned a Bachelor of Philosophy in 1947, and a Master of Arts in Education in 1957. In 1960, she was awarded an additional degree in theology from Saint Benedict College in Saint Joseph, Minnesota.

Sister Helen served as a teacher, primarily in Chicago elementary schools, for over 46 years. The majority of her career was spent teaching in Saint Symphorosa School, Queen of All Saints School, Saint Joseph School, Saint Lambert School, Saint John Nepomucene School, and Mother of God School. At Saint Jospeh School, Sister was principal for 6 years, while at Queen of All Saints, she performed the role of local superior for about 10 years.

In addition to teaching, Sister spent many summers working at various summer schools and with the impoverished in Kentucky. She also spent time in her hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario, caring for her mother and sister. Following Sister's recovery from a severe heart attack, she continued to serve in parish ministry at Saint Peter's Church in Ontario, as both a lector and visitor to the sick and grieving.

Sister Helen died suddenly on April 23rd, 2001 at the age of 82. Her cremains are buried in Calvary Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois.