On Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, Sister Mary Alicia Lanni’s long wait for Our Lord finally ended. Sister was 92 years of age and had dedicated 72 years to religious life as a Sister of St. Dominic.
Anna was born on November 11, 1920, daughter of Pasquale and Angelina Lanni. Anna answered the call of the Lord and entered the convent on February 2, 1941. It was a very important day for the Parish as well. Anna was the first religious to come from St. Kilian’s Parish, Farmingdale. On August 4, 1941 she received the habit and her religious name, Sister Mary Alicia. One year later, August 6, 1941, Sister pronounced her religious vows.
Sister ministered in both the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre. These ministries have included Catholic Education, membership in several Houses of Prayer, Pastoral Care and Religious Education. A detailed listing includes: Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Lindenhurst, 1942-1952; St. Francis of Assisi School, Long Island City, 1952-1957; Our Lady of Solace School, Brooklyn, 1957-1965, Corpus Christi, Woodside, 1965-1969; Sacred Heart, Cambria Heights, 1969-1971. From 1971-1972 Sister was part of the House of Prayer in Beacon, New York, and then from 1972-1974 she resided in Emmaus House of Prayer in St. Josephs, New York. Sister acted as a nurse’s aide in the Infirmary of Queen of the Rosary Motherhouse for the year 1974-1975. She then moved to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Lindenhurst, 1975-1979. In OLPH Sister brought together the widows and widowers of the parish. They formed a group and called it the Alician Guild in honor of its founder Sr. Alicia. Sister also began a summer bible school for pre-school children. Her next prayer experience was at Magnificat House in Manhasset from 1979-1981. She acted as a Religious Education teacher from 1981-1983 at St. Martin Parish, Amityville. The next area of Sister’s ministry took place at Consolation Nursing Home from 1985-1990 as a member of the Pastoral Service Team. After several years of ministering to the sick and elderly, she had to retire due to poor health. She was engaged in secretarial duties in the Development Office at the Motherhouse in Amityville. No matter what was the form of her ministry. Alicia brought to the people around her a gracious smile and quiet words of wisdom. One of Sister’s greatest ministries was her weekly trips for fourteen years to the Dialysis Center. Her quiet endurance no doubt influenced the many people she met.
Sister Alicia is survived by her sister Mildred Corwin of Farmingdale, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their children. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 25, in St. Albert Chapel.
