Sister Corda Marie Bergbauer, former teacher at Catholic High, dies at 98

A funeral Mass will be offered  Sept. 11 for Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia Corda Marie Bergbauer, a former teacher at St. Stephen School in Bradshaw and The Catholic High School of Baltimore. The former superior general of the Sisters of St. Francis died Sept. 5 at Crozer Chester Medical Center in Pennsylvania. 

She was 98 and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 75 years.

She ministered for 18 years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, teaching at St. Stephen for four years and 14 years at The Catholic High School of Baltimore. Her dedication to instruction in english, religion and journalism led to the establishment of TCHS’ Sister Corda Marie Bergbauer Chapter of the National English Honor Society.

Sister Corda was born Catherine Anne Bergbauer in Philadelphia, where she was a member of St. Lawrence Parish in Highland Park and a graduate of Hallahan High School. She entered the congregation in 1947 and professed her first vows in 1949.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in English from Villanova University. 

She ministered primarily in education and administration. She served in congregational ministry as superior general for the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for eight years between 1970-1978. 

Sister Corda led the congregation as it sought ways to implement the outcomes of Vatican II. During her tenure, she implemented significant changes within the congregation, including the construction of Assisi House, expanding ministries to Africa, and helping to begin the Ministry of Caring in Delaware. 

In August 1976, Sister Corda was a member of the board of governors for the Eucharistic Congress and had dinner with St. Teresa of Kolkata. She was given the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal from Pope John Paul II in recognition of the contributions she made to the church.

Sister Corda began her life as a sister in education teaching for two years at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Bethesda. In addition to serving in Baltimore, she ministered for 54 years  in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. 

All liturgies will be held in Our Lady of Angels Chapel in Aston, Pa., on Sept. 11 and will be livestreamed. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 10-11:45 a.m., a funeral will be at noon. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. 

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