SISTER CONSTANCE A. BAHL, SC (FORMERLY ROBERT ANNE) age 79 died at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Greensburg, PA on January 30, 2022. A native of Pittsburgh, Sister Constance entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1960, from Saint Philip Parish, Crafton. Preceded in death by her parents, Robert F. and Anne (Schleder) Bahl and a brother Robert F. Bahl, Jr. She is survived by three sisters: Mrs. Christina (John) Garnett, Mrs. Celeste (James) Nasuti, and Carolyn Bahl, and nieces and nephews. Sister Constance earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Seton Hill University and a master’s degree in religion, campus ministry, from Fordham University. Sister Constance taught students of the intermediate and middle school levels in schools of the Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg, Pittsburgh and Tucson dioceses. She followed in her mother’s footsteps in many areas of service to the Girl Scouts and was actively involved with the scouts for many years. She was an administrative staff member at Camp Henry Kaufmann, served on the committee for the Saint Elizabeth Seton Award for Senior Scouts, and helped with the Marian Encampment for Catholic scouts. Due to all her work with the Scouts, she was awarded the Saint Anne Medal in recognition of outstanding service to the spiritual development of Catholic youth. She ministered as a religious education coordinator at Saint James Parish, Wilkinsburg and at Saint Zita Parish, West Virginia. She was campus minister at Point Park College, Pittsburgh, and Marshall University in West Virginia. Music was always an important part of Sister Constance’s life. She enjoyed listening to classical music, helping students prepare music for liturgical celebrations, working with folk groups, teaching new hymns to the congregation, singing in a choir, and giving piano lessons. From 1983 until 1991, Sister Constance ministered at the Diocese of Pittsburgh Catholic Guild for the Blind where she worked to integrate persons with physical and mental disabilities into the mainstream of Church life. She was pastoral minister at Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, PA. Her longest tenure of ministry was at Mercy Regional Health System (Bon Secours-Holy Family Hospital) where she served as chaplain from 1992-2002. She ministered as secretary at Saint Vincent Archabbey and Seminary in 2004-2005. From 2005 to 2008, Sister Constance served at Seton Hill University as a tutor (ESL) in the Adult Literacy program. She was an instructor in the community music program at Seton Hill University until 2016. Sister Constance stated, “I am not a city person.” She loved God’s creation–flowers, trees, wooded areas with ponds, waterfalls, and mountains. At the time of her 50th jubilee, Sister Constance stated, “As I reflect on the past 50 years, I celebrate the Lord’s love and faithfulness. I live in the awareness that ‘nothing can separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus.’ (Rom. 8:39) I am grateful that the favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent. They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness.’” (Lam.3:22-23)
