A funeral Mass for Sister Baptista Peters, D.C., a sister of 80 years, was offered April 9 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Emmitsburg. Sister Baptista died April 6. She was 98.
Born Mary Regina Peters in Emmitsburg, she was one of eight children. She attended St. Euphemia’s Elementary School and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1927, the year she entered the Daughters of Charity.
She received her bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph College, Emmitsburg, in 1950 and also attended The Catholic University of America for graduate study.
After receiving her teacher certificate, Sister Baptista was missioned to St. Charles School in Pikesville where she taught second grade from 1935-36.
In 1938 Sister Baptista returned to Baltimore to teach second grade at St. John’s Girls School. At the end of this assignment in 1945, she was sent to Virginia. She also served in Connecticut, New York and West Virginia.
In 1953 she returned to St. Charles School in Pikesville and served a year as principal. She taught seven years (1956-63) at St. Martin’s School.
Emmitsburg and the Seton Center Thrift Shop was Sister Baptista’s duty for three years (1979-1982). Sister Baptista was then reassigned to St. Dominic School, Baltimore for two years – her final teaching assignment as an educator of 53 years.
In 1987, she served as a patient visitor in the pastoral care department at St. Agnes Hospital.