Leadership
Sister Suzanne Marie Kush
Sr. Suzanne Marie Kush, a Buffalo native, began her journey with the Felician Sisters on June 21, 1964, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent. Her vocation was nurtured in the St. John Gualbert parish community in Cheektowaga. Over the past 60 years, Sr. Suzanne has faithfully served in various roles, significantly impacting the Church and the communities she touched. Since 2015, she has been a Provincial Councilor for the Felician Sisters of North America in Beaver Falls, PA, providing leadership and guidance.
Her earlier roles include Director of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern and adjunct faculty at St. Bonaventure University, where she influenced countless students. From 2000 to 2006, she was Novice Director for the Felician Sisters in Buffalo, shaping the spiritual formation of new members. Additionally, she served as a Pastoral Associate at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Kenmore, NY. Sr. Suzanne’s six decades of dedication reflect her deep commitment to the mission of the Felician Sisters and her profound love for those she has served.
Sister Noel Marie Gabriel
Sr. Noel Marie Gabriel, Executive Director, has been a Felician Sister for more than 50 years. She comes to Maryville with a passion for promoting the spiritual, physical, and emotional health and well-being of others. Sister Noel has focused in her past ministries primarily on the care of elders in various senior living environments. She has served as a registered nurse, in management positions of director of nursing as well as nursing home administrator.
She currently ministers to the Felician Sisters of North American Province as the director of clinical health services, a position she will retain along with serving as executive director at Maryville Retreat Center.
Sister Judith Marie Blizzard
Sr. Judith Marie Blizzard is dedicated to the Maryville ministry of programming and spiritual direction. She will continue serving as the vocation co-director for the Felician Sisters of North America. In addition to her role as a spiritual director in the Pittsburgh area, she actively participated in evangelization, retreat ministry, and parish missions. Sister Judy earned her bachelor’s degree in education and religious studies at Felician University, Lodi, NJ, and her Masters in spirituality at Creighton University, Omaha, NE. Throughout her varied career, she has engaged in ministries encompassing education, leadership, vocation ministry, formation, retreat ministry, and spiritual direction, and served as a mission leader for Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs.
Sister Jane Mary Gawlik
Sr. Jane Gawlik will continue vocation work building upon her prior role as co-vocation director, where she assisted young women in discerning their call to religious life. Sister Jane Mary is a native Texan and joined the Felician Sisters immediately after high school. She holds a BA in elementary education with a minor in art, an MA in pastoral ministry and certificates in youth ministry and spiritual direction. Recently she successfully completed a program for Initial Formation. Sister Jane has dedicated her ministry to education in California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas including service in the public school system.
Nick Osantoski
Nick Osantoski serves as the Director of Maryville Retreat Center and the Dining Supervisor for the Felician Sisters of Livonia at the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent. He joined the Felician Sisters of North America in January 2021, bringing over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with a focus on group management and multi-unit operations. Nick is dedicated to ensuring that every guest has a fulfilling and enriching retreat experience.
He holds a degree in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management from Schoolcraft College in Livonia and is a member of the American Culinary Federation. Nick is deeply committed to the mission and values of the Felician Sisters of North America.