September 6, 1922–August 7, 2018
Regina Frances Lang (Jean to her family) was born September 6, 1922 in Philadelphia, PA. She was the first of nine children born to Jacob and Marie Lang. Growing up in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia, Jean and the family were members of Immaculate Conception Parish. At some point in her life she became expert in the mummers’ strut. Jean, who was a member of the MCA, wanted to become an MSBT but delayed entering till age 31 to help her parents and siblings. Her love for her family was always very evident in her conversation and prayers. I know her prayers are with you now.
In a letter from the pastor, Fr. Timothy Buckley recommending Jean for entrance, described her as “a person of noble character with a true spirit of sacrifice and of generosity”.
In 1953 Jean followed her younger sister to the MSBT. She took the name Sister John Regina of the Holy Ghost. She professed her first vows August 15, 1954 and final vows March 25, 1960.
She completed her Bachelors degree in 1972 at age 50 – a feat she accomplished going to school part-time while in full time ministry. She continued her studies and received her Masters in Social Work from Fordham two years later.
In reading Sister John Regina’s file an underlying theme persists in her letters, ministry evaluations and reports. That theme is expressed in our Rule of Life #10
We are to have a personal love of God our Father, of his son Jesus and of the Holy Spirit who abides with us. In a particular way we cherish in our prayer and labor the naked, abandoned Jesus on Calvary. We express our love through personal service to his poor and abandoned members. RL10
Sister John Regina expressed her personal love of God through her service to his poor and abandoned throughout her life.
Sister served many years as a social worker in Catholic Social Services in a variety of cities and towns mostly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She had just a couple of years in Birmingham, AL. For a few years Sister was Sacristan and driver at the Motherhouse after which she joined her blood sister, Sr. Marie Bernadette in Pastoral Ministry at St. Ann’s Parish in Wilmington, Delaware.
There the Sisters worked as a team. Sr. Marie Bernadette was the phone sister and Sister John Regina the driver and visitor. Sister John Regina was dedicated to visiting of the home bound parishioners. She referred to her ministry as just a wonderful opportunity to bring the Eucharist to the people.
In her 65 years as a Missionary Servant Sister John Regina was about service to others. At St. Ann’s, Sister’s goals were to bring the Eucharist to the sick and elderly and to share God’s love with joy and compassion. I think of the many people with whom Sister connected through the years, reaching out to them with these goals in mind. Sister John Regina we give thanks to the Triune God for your years of loving service to your sisters in Community, to your family and to the many people with whom you ministered.
May She rest in Peace and Joy in the presence of her God.