75 Years
Sister Patricia Winder, a native of New York City, entered the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity (MSBT) on September 24, 1949 and initially took the name Sister Stephen Francis of the Precious Blood. Prior to entering the MSBT, Sr. Pat was a member of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate, a branch of the Missionary Cenacle Family, for three years. She professed her final vows on March 25, 1954. Over her remarkable 75 years of service, Sr. Pat has dedicated herself to a diverse array of ministries across the United States and Mexico.
Her service has taken her to numerous locations including Gadsden, AL; Philadelphia and Greensburg, PA; Orange, CA; Pensacola and Gainesville, FL; Hertford, NC; Rockhill, SC; Yakima, WA; Tucson, AZ; and Mexico. Throughout her ministry, Sr. Pat has been involved in parish work, Catholic Social Services, detention center support, and providing presence to women in Vocation/Formation. She has also contributed to our MSBT retreat center in Philadelphia. Sr. Pat has an adventurous spirit, a creative mind, and a knack for always finding a way to connect with others. Her long and varied service reflects a deep commitment to her faith and the communities she has served.
Sister Pat currently resides at Wesley Enhanced Living in Philadelphia, PA, where she and several of our Sisters are missioned. She has shared that her spiritual life centers around the practice of the presence of God, striving to remain mindful of each moment and act with compassion. Sister Pat generously expresses her spirituality through her daily interactions with those around her.
Sister Pat inspires many through her deep prayerfulness, profound missionary spirit, and love of learning. She is an avid reader and stays informed regarding the latest happenings in our world, the Church and our congregation. Visitors often find themselves quickly absorbed in conversation, swept up in her enthusiasm as she shares her latest insights and reflections. After 75 years as an MSBT, there is no doubt that Sister Pat fully embodies our heritage: an apostolic spirit, a Gospel spirit, and a Catholic spirit.