Sister Elaine Hromulak

Originally from Northern Cambria, Pa., Sister Elaine entered the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1954, from St. John the Baptist Church in Barnesboro, Pa., and professed first vows at Mount Assisi Convent in Pittsburgh in 1955.

Sister taught for 13 years at St. Francis Academy in San Antonio, Texas, before moving back to the Pittsburgh area. She devoted 18 years to serving as principal in various schools in our region, including the former Mount Assisi Academy, St. Patrick School in Canonsburg; Ave Maria School in Ellsworth; and St. Scholastica School in Aspinwall.

Sister Elaine also served for 17 years in leadership with her religious community, including four as a provincial councilor, eight overseeing the Pittsburgh Province, and five as the first provincial minister of the U.S. Province. She also spent six years doing historical data conversion for the Catholic Cemeteries Association of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

“I consider my vocation to religious life to be my greatest blessing. For me, the rhythm of religious life encourages inner reflection and fosters spiritual growth in a unique way,” Sister says.

In 2016, Sister took on a new passion with Little Dresses of Love, coordinating a small team of volunteer seamstresses to sew and ship some 5,500 new dresses and new-found hope to impoverished children around the world.

Today, Sister Elaine is enjoying retirement from active ministry and the leisure time it allows for prayer, reflection and reading.