Sr. Anna founded the Servants of the Cross on June 3rd, 2003, and her heart for evangelization lives on through her Sisters and laity today. She inspired countless individuals and led many to embrace the mission of evangelization.

The vision on her heart to provide a discipleship path for the Church deployed, to make JESUS irresistible to all people, stands as a testimony of her prophetic leadership.

Sr. Anna passed away unexpectedly on February 4th, 2025. She left behind a legacy of eight Sisters and many lay missionary disciples ready to make Jesus irresistible.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16

As I was grieving the loss of my daughter, I found such consolation in this phrase from the calendar of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood:

“Lord grant me the grace to respond to your call with a heart open to the journey ahead!”

Mrs. Esther Chan, Mother of Sr. Anna

We are so sorry to be away at this time, but I wanted to share a few words. Sr. Anna is best known as Mother Superior of the Servants of the Cross. However, she is first and foremost family to many of us. She is my dear cousin, but is also a beloved daughter, niece and god-daughter. 

We shared many family dinners together in Toronto with Uncle Rudy, Auntie Ester and our Lola. These would always include a veritable Filipino feast. We would catch up on how school was going and our future plans. Sr. Anna would always be happy to play her most recently mastered piano piece. With her passion for music and style, I learned so much from my older cousin who taught me the difference between musical genres such as rock and funk and how to dress for success in high school. She was always so mature and someone to look up to. 

When we both migrated to Ottawa, we would connect on Pamilla St. where we would reflect on our Filipino roots and get caught up on the comings and goings of Sisters Anna and Monique. We then met the broader group through Eggs and Fellowship gatherings. It became quite clear that Sister Anna’s family had expanded to include other Sisters at their residences on Wellington St., Edison St. and then most recently on Aurora Cres. 

Sr. Anna and her fellow sisters were always so kind to my children who knew her as a welcoming, friendly and smiling cousin. We were so happy to attend my uncle and aunt’s renewal of their vows hosted by their daughter. Your smiling face with such a warm heart will be missed. Sr. Anna, although you left us too soon, I know you have accomplished so much and have left behind a solid foundation and a well established order. May you rest in Peace and I know your memory will stay with us forever. 

–  Dante, Shannon, Ben, Ali, Uncle Umberto, Auntie Linda and cousin Lara, Nic and Alessandro

I met Sr Anna through the Encounter School of Ministry (ESM) when I joined the first cohort in 2022. This was the only cohort that Sr Anna led and followed for both first and second year. It was an immense gift to have made this journey with her. She was my ESM mentor in second year and she played an integral role in my spiritual development. She affirmed gifts in me, gave me opportunities to grow, showed me what humility and leadership looks like. So often I watched her operating in her many gifts to get things started and then she raised up others to take over while she served in the background. She was a true servant, apostle, lover of Jesus and neighbour. She was also Abba Father’s girl. I really felt the Father’s love for me through her. I let her know this in a prophetic word I sent to her on Father’s Day in 2023. I know Sr Anna deeply treasured that word and that we had a special connection through the Father.

She is with the Father now but her legacy lives on in all of those whose lives she touched. I will forever cherish the short time I had with Sr Anna, and all of the encouragement, prophetic words, and memories we shared.

-R.

Sr. Anna’s smile was like no other! She just brightened up every room she walked into.

My last time speaking with Sr. Anna was January 28th. After class I asked her to pray with me as I was suffering with sciatica. When she prayed for me, I was hit with the Holy Spirit…Sr. Anna was so full of the Holy Spirit! I feel so blessed by this last encounter with her.

And her joy and dancing after our prophetic ministry night will be edged in my memory forever! She will be truly missed

-Rita Keogh

I recall a number of years ago your Sisters coming to our cottages on Charleston Lake for a weekend at my husband’s island property. I had the special privilege of sharing mass with them each day.

Sr. Anna was so gracious and welcoming to me over that weekend. We enjoyed meals together and I was able to cook lunch for them at my cottage. I so loved watching them laugh and enjoy themselves. I think we even went for a pontoon boat ride. 

At one point Sr Anna and I went off and sat together up on a hill in the woods looking over the lake. We discussed the love of our Lord, the importance of surrendered prayer as well as my ministry and her desire to support it and refer people to this ministry over time. 

I felt such awe and respect toward all the sisters and I especially admired Sr. Anna’s quiet and humble leadership. Their sincere authentic and wholesome love and friendship towards each other was so inspiring to me.

Sr Anna was a real mother to us all and I will never forget how humbled I felt and so lucky to have shared a weekend with Sr Anna and the Sisters years ago on Charleston Lake. Sr Anna may you rest in peace in the presence of Fr Bob and in the arms of our dear Lord. 

-Mary Jane Norton

Every time we met, whether at Encounter School, Pentecost retreat meetings or simply sharing dinner together, Sr. Anna always greeted me with a warm smile and brightened up my day.

I have always been greatly moved by Sr. Anna’s intentionality in how she loved people. The Lord had a very special way of working through Sr. Anna to not only see and love the needs of others, but most especially those that often go unnoticed. When Dan and I broke down on the highway due to an exploded tire, she immediately noticed, called me, and turned around to help us. Not only did she help us repair our vehicle and call CAA, but she also bought Dan and I lunch. Seldom have I ever felt so seen by God through the love of another. 

Other days, I came to Encounter classes either burnt out from ministry, struggling with sleep issues, or not having enough food for the week, and despite how I often refrained from soliciting for help, she would notice something was off, inquire about it, and in great magnanimity, offer to pray with me or help me in whatever way she could. As I reflect upon my two years of doing ministry and Encounter School alongside Sr. Anna, I firmly know she is one of the sole reasons I was able to persevere in what Jesus was calling me to do.

Sr. Anna, thank you. Thank you for your joy. Thank you for the ways you made love seem so effortless. Thank you for always bringing the best out of me. You are so greatly loved and missed. I look forward to sharing a meal and fellowship with you once more in Heaven.

-Niko Frlan

Through Sr. Anna I learned so many things: surrender to God, being open to receive the Holy Spirit and listen to God’s voice. She was always there for me, a text away. She guided me during a very difficult time and I knew I could always count on her prayers.  

Last year, I went to a Servants of the Cross retreat. Sr. Anna wasn’t there. When I got back home I texted her this:

“Sr. Anna, just came home from a wonderful retreat. The Sisters outdid themselves. It was a very special weekend.  And, as I said to the group, even though you were not there physically, you were there in every detail. You are a good mentor and they are amazing students.  Very proud of being part of the Sisters’ friends.”

I think that summarizes her. She was a great mentor to the sisters and to all. I’m sure she is already strategizing what the next steps are for this wonderful community and she will help from heaven to continue growing and evangelizing. I will be there to help out.  

As a funny note, I can’t forget the day she asked for help during an event. Breakfast was being served.  When we got to St. Mary’s, she wanted us to make pancakes, pile them into three and then do fruit skewers to keep the pancakes together. It was a huge event. We didn’t have enough time. I just laughed and said: sorry, “Sr. Anna, that’s not happening.”  

I will never forget the post-its she used to organize events. Everything always ran smoothly because of how organized she was. I always joked with her. I said that we should open a daycare called “Little Servants of the Cross”.  

She will be missed greatly but I find comfort in knowing that she is enjoying eternal life and that her blessings are with all of us.  

-Carla Serrano

Join as we reflect with Sr. Alison’s on Sr. Anna’s passing.

Many have asked us how they can help. As a tangible way to help us, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to our Community, Servants of the Cross.