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Nancy Prenatt, SSJ
SisterBiography
Formerly Sr. Ann Charles
Home Parish: St. Venantius, Rouseville, PA
Entered Sisters of St. Joseph: 1965
Final Profession: 1972
When she was a senior in high school, Sister Nancy Prenatt felt a call to serve God and God’s people, but she fought the notion of entering the convent. After graduation, she was trained by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Buffalo at Our Lady of Victory Infant Homes, where she received a certificate as a Child Care Technician. During that time, she became aware of the Sisters’ deep love of God shown through their care, concern, and love for both the infants and the students. After that, she explored various congregations and decided to enter the Sisters of St. Joseph in Erie. She entered on November 20, 1965, from her home parish, St. Venantius in Rouseville, PA and professed her final vows on September 2, 1972.
She attended Venango Christian High School and then graduated from the State University of New York with an MS in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. She later attended Villa Maria College in Erie and received a BS in Elementary Education. She spent more than 25 years teaching at several Diocesan schools, including St. George, Holy Rosary, St. John, Our Lady of Peace, and St. Peter Schools in Erie. She also taught in Ridgway and Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania. She was involved in her congregation’s Formation Ministry for more than 15 years, and as a member of its Global Awareness Committee. Sister Nancy was active in clown and mime ministry for many years, during which time she was known as Jingles. As founder of the Wellspring of Life Ministry, she served as a foster mother to medically fragile children for several years. Sister Nancy received the Outstanding Religious Award from the Serra Club of Erie in June 1998.
She was part of the Sisters of St. Joseph Leadership from 1999 to 2003. She ministered in pastoral care at Saint Mary’s Home of Erie and currently ministers as an Activities Coordinator at the Sisters of St. Joseph Community Living Center.
