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Remembering Sisters2023-03-30T19:56:56+00:00

Sister Glenna Lee Connors

Sister Glenna's primary focus was education, but her desire to fully embrace the mission of a Sister Charity, which is to make the love of God visible to others, led her is to embrace several pathways. She began teaching at the Oliver Junior High School, Lawrence, MA and from there, she taught at Saint Michael School, North Andover, MA and Saint Patrick School, Roxbury, MA, before serving as principal at Saint Margaret School, Dorchester, MA. She returned to the classroom at Monsignor Ryan High School, Dorchester, MA. Moving away from the classroom for a time, Sister Glenna served as Pastoral Associate at Saint Philip Neri Parish, Waban, MA and at Atlantic Fund Raising, Needham, MA. She taught music briefly at Saint Francis of Assisi School, Medford, MA and returned to parish service as Pastoral Associate at Saint John-Saint Hugh, Dorchester, MA and later, at Saint Peter School and Parish, Dorchester, MA., where she was engaged in Music Ministry. For the past sixteen years, Sister Glenna was involved in Spiritual Direction at her parish, Immaculate Conception in Weymouth, MA.

Sister Dorothy Hamilton (Grace Paula)

Sister Dorothy's primary ministry was teaching. At the elementary level, she taught at Saint Peter School and Saint Kevin School in Dorchester, MA, and later at Saint Francis of Assisi School in Medford, MA. She was missioned to Bishop Reilly High School in Fresh Meadows, New York, where she taught math for eight years before returning to teach math at the former Elizabeth Seton High School in Wellesley, MA. In addition, she provided tutoring services for the town of Wellesley and at the Babson Institute. She served as teacher at Mass Bay Community College and was a facilitator in the Learning Lab there. Sister Dorothy's skills were not limited to the classroom. She was a bookkeeper for the town of Wellesley and two dental practices. In her later years, she was drawn to ministry to the elderly and pursued studies in this area from Andover Newton School of Theology and the University of Massachusetts, Boston, acquiring certification in Gerontology.

Sister Francis Anita Kearns

Teaching was at the heart and soul of Sister Francis Anita's ministry as a Sister of Charity. She began her educational journey at Saint Sebastian School in Woodside, New York and for the next 54 years helped to shape the minds and hearts of countless numbers of young people in Canada and the United States. From New York, Sister Francis Anita was mission to Mount Carmen Elementary School in New Waterford, Nova Scotia and then to Saint Veronica School in Dorval, Quebec. Returning to her home state of Massachusetts in 1964, Sister Francis Anita taught at Saint Paul School in Wellesley and Saint Joseph School in Needham. Upon completing full-time teaching, for the next five years she served as the Coordinator of the then Assisted Living Program at Mount Saint Vincent, Wellesley. From 2001 until her formal retirement, the need to care for her aging mother, her ailing brother, Albert and her sister, Helen was a call to which she responded with great courage, generosity and love. But Francis Anita was no one to shy away from additional ministry activity! During these years, she also volunteered in the Religious Education program at Saint Mary Parish in Randolph, MA.

Sister Mary Ellen Loar (Robert Bernadette)

Sister Mary Ellen’s ministry was multi-faceted. She began as a teacher at Saint Patrick Grammar School in Roxbury, MA where she also coached the girls’ high school basketball team. Shortly thereafter, she assumed the role of Coordinator of Formation and Assistant Director of Novices for the Sisters of Charity in Boston. Following this assignment, Sister Mary Ellen served as a high school teacher at Seton Hall High School in Patchogue, NY and as Project Director at Selden – Centereach Youth Association. During that time, she also served as a board member for the Sisters of Charity New York Province. In 1980 Sister Mary Ellen was elected to the General Council of the Sisters of Charity, Halifax, a position she held for eight years. After a sabbatical she began full-time study to pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work at Boston College and completed her active ministry at Boston City Hospital as a Medical Social Worker.

Sister Patricia Murphy (Maria Bernard)

She entered the Sisters of Charity in 1949 and professed her vows in 1952. Sister Pat was born with the heart of a teacher and for the first eighteen years of ministry taught primary school children at Saint Mary School in Canton, NY and Saint Peter School, Dorchester, MA. However, her passion was to serve in the field of Special Education. Earning a Master's degree in that field, Sister Pat served at Saint Mary School, Randolph, Saint Colletta School, Hanover, MA and Saint Colletta Day School, Braintree, MA. Her devotion to those with disabilities drew her to L'Arche, Irenicon in Haverhill, MA, an organization which serves adults with disabilities through homes in which people with and without disabilities share life together. Sister Pat ministered as Spiritual Coordinator there for 29 years. Completing her time at L'Arche, Sister Pat retired to Marillac Residence and later to Elizabeth Seton Residence at Mount Saint Vincent in Wellesley, where she continued to share her gentle and joyful spirit with everyone.

Sister Mary Palardy (William Jude)

She was a dedicated and creative educator who taught elementary and junior high students in St. Peter, Dorchester, MA; Mount St. Agnes Academy, Bermuda; Our Lady of Perpetual Help School; Vancouver, BC; Christ the King Junior High and Vanier Catholic Secondary School, Whitehorse, YT. After thirty-nine years serving as an educator, she re tired and moved to Halifax, NS, where she was involved in the ministry of hospitality at DePaul Centre. From 2006 until her death, Sister Mary worked as the SC Coordinator of the Heritage Room.

Sister William Noreen Reilly

She entered the Sisters of Charity in 1953 and ministered as a teacher in Saint Kevin and Saint Margaret Schools, Dorchester, MA, Saint Aidan School in Williston Park, NY and Saint Barnabas School and Parish, Long Island, NY. Sister William Noreen served in many administrative roles both as teacher and principal and was the founding principal of the Elizabeth Ann Seton School in Bellmore, NY. As a teacher her love of children was ever- present in her kindness, fairness and love. After retiring from education, she ministered in Saint Barnabas Parish as a Pastoral Associate, visiting local home-bound elders, the sick in hospitals and was involved with hospice care. Her devotion to the poor was outstanding and was evidenced by her constant commitment to the Saint Vincent dePaul Society. Sister William Noreen retired to Marillac Residence at Mount Saint Vincent in Wellesley in 2016 and with her upbeat spirit was always caring for the needs of others.

Sister Patricia Wilson

Sister Pat devoted her life to spiritual direction in pastoral and parochial ministry. Originally from Staten Island, New York, she entered the Congregation in 1967 at Mount Saint Vincent, Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. Sister Pat was a Certified Christian Doctrine Instructor, and worked with the Diocese of Hamilton Bermuda and Saginaw, MI. She served much of her ministry in the United States, and later in Canada where she served her Congregation in Leadership as a Congregational Councillor, as Adult Formation Director, Seton Spirituality Centre, Terence Bay, and Chaplain for Caritas Residence, Halifax. A beautiful vocalist, she gave joyful witness to love with every breath and will be remembered with love.

Sister Ruth Kline (Mary Ethelreda)

Sister Ruth shared life with us for 84 years. Her ministry in education and pastoral care spanned six decades in Nova Scotia. As a teacher at St. Patrick, St. Catherine, St. Thomas Aquinas schools in Halifax, and Bedford Central, a beloved literacy tutor in Dartmouth, and the Chaplain of the IWK Children’s Hospital, Sister Ruth was very well known and loved in her local community. Sister Ruth was devoted to her parish, St. Pius, and acted as a parochial visitor to the Grace Maternity and Halifax Infirmary Hospitals to offer spiritual care.

Sister Anne Fahey (Leo Kevin)

Sister Anne shared life with us for 71 years and was a beloved educator in Nova Scotia and Massachusetts, who gave joyful witness to love. Sister Anne served her Congregation as Provincial Superior in Quincy, MA and as Provincial Treasurer in Boston, MA. She also served as Religious Education Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Halifax, as well as the Director of Formation in Halifax and as the Boston Office Treasurer for her Congregation.

Sister Mary Scinta (Mary Vincent)

Having received her BSc. and her BA at Mount St. Vincent University, Sister began her teaching career in the intermediate grades at St. Patrick’s, Lawrence, MA and subsequently at St. Anne’s, Glace Bay, NS; at St. Sylvester’s, Woodside, NY, and at St. Barnabas Convent, Bellmore, NY. After attaining her MSW from Adelphi University, Garden City, NY, she served at Southside Hospital, Bayside, NY, and at the Senior Center in Rockville Center, NY.

Sister Anna May English (Martin de Porres)

Sister Anna May began her ministry in education as an elementary school teacher in Saint Patrick Parish, Roxbury, MA, and then at Our Lady of the Cenacle School in Richmond Hill, NY, and Our Lady of Angels in Brooklyn, NY. After several years of teaching, she felt drawn to the nursing profession and studied at Sancta Maria Hospital in Cambridge, MA, thus beginning thirty-five years of service as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She ministered in several hospitals in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, NY, during which time she also cared for her ailing parents. Sister Anna May had a deep sensitivity toward those who suffer, especially the sick and the poor. Upon retirement, she resided at Mount Saint Vincent, Wellesley, MA, and provided service to the community as a driver, a Eucharistic Minister, and spent many hours visiting with infirmed sisters at Elizabeth Seton Residence.

Sister Grace McColgan (Maria Robert)

The focus of Sister Grace's ministry was teaching at both grammar and high school levels. She was missioned in several locations throughout the Archdiocese of Boston during her time in ministry, beginning at Saint Patrick School in Lawrence, MA and then Saint Michael School in North Andover, MA. She also taught in the parish religious education programs of both of these parishes. Sister Grace then served as a business course teacher at Monsignor Ryan Memorial High School in Dorchester, MA for thirty years, until it closed in 2003. In her last formal assignment, Sister Grace served as an administrative assistant at Elizabeth Seton Academy in Dorchester, MA before retiring to Marian Community at Mount Saint Vincent and subsequently to Marillac Residence at Mount Saint Vincent, Wellesley, MA.

Sister JoAnn Bonauro

Her ministry began as a teacher at St. Patrick’s School, Brooklyn, and Our Lady of the Angelus Catholic Academy, Rego Park, NY. Sister JoAnn’s ministry continued at St. Aidan’s Parish. Williston Park, NY in various capacities including Religious Education Director, Director of Faith Formation and Director of Family Ministry & Evangelization. She was the Pastoral Associate at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Brooklyn and St. William the Abbot Parish, Seaford, NY. She devoted her skills, time and love to several diocesan and congregation committees including Saint Finbar Church where she gave joyful witness to love through her charism of charity.

Sister Margaret White (Margaret Pauline)

Sister Margaret (Peggy) was missioned in both the Canada and the United States throughout her time in ministry. She was, first and foremost, an educator and loved teaching grades three through eight, beginning at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Staten Island, New York and Holy Savior School in Westmont, New Jersey. Sister Margaret was then missioned to Saint Agnes School, New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Sainte Foy School in Quebec and Saint Theresa School in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her last formal teaching assignment was Saint Francis of Assisi School in Medford, MA. Sister Peggy spent several years at Immaculate Conception Convent in Winchester, MA before retiring to Marillac Residence at Mount Saint Vincent, Wellesley, MA.

Sister Maureen O’Neill

Sister Maureen obtained her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University and her Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University.  Sister Maureen began her ministry teaching elementary education in New Jersey and then in Halifax at St. Joseph’s and St. Catherine’s. With a background in bookkeeping Sister Maureen was missioned to work in the Business Office at the Halifax Infirmary Hospital. Finding her gift in business, Sister Maureen returned to university and obtained Bachelor of Commerce degree 1974.  She joined the Business faculty at the Dartmouth Regional Vocational School and then the Community College of NS at the Ackerley Campus where she taught for 21 years. Sister Maureen was a lifelong learner returning to the classroom as a student throughout her life. As a mature student, she studied at Kisemanito Centre in Alberta, St. Paul’s University in Ottawa, and the Galilee Mission, Ontario. She obtained her Diploma in Theology and Ministry from the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax. Sister Maureen also worked in Administration with the Sisters of Charity and in Parish Ministry.

Sister Theresa Burbridge (Mary Paula)

Born February 19, 1925, Theresa entered the Sisters of Charity at Mount Saint Vincent, Halifax in 1945. She entered from her family’s parish in Bathurst, Sacred Heart, and shared life with the Sisters for over 77 years. She earned a BSc in Home Economics from Mount Saint Vincent University and spent her ministry in food sciences as a registered dietitian across Canada including Immaculata Hospital, Westlock, AB, the Halifax Infirmary, NS, and St. Elizabeth Hospital, Sydney, NS. She taught home economics at the Mount Carmel Convent, New Waterford, NS, and at Saint Patrick Convent, Quebec, PQ.

Sister Bernadette Murphy

Her first ministry with the Sisters of Charity took her to Brooklyn, NY in 1957. There she served as housekeeper at Saint Sylvester Convent. She returned to Halifax in 1959. For 30 years, Sister Bernadette worked at Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse in the Cafeteria. She was appointed Cafeteria Supervisor in 1972 and served in that capacity until 1989.   Following her retirement, she continued to contribute to the quality of life at the Motherhouse, then at Caritas Residence by applying her talents where needed.  Sister Bernadette was a skilled seamstress tending to the sewing needs of the community.  She was mentored in the role of Sacristan while at the Motherhouse. When the Sisters moved to Caritas Residence, Sister Bernadette brought and upheld the Sacristans’ traditions and standards meticulously. She took great care and pride in everything she did, some even cited her work as perfection. Sister Bernadette’s quiet and gentle ways were her gifts.  She was faithful, observant, kind and caring. She was very devoted to her chapel ministry. Sister Bernadette was also a cherished member of the Sisters of Charity choir for many years and loved music throughout her whole life.

Sister Edna Clark (Robert Virginia)

Edna put her education to good use in the community. She was the Director of Computer Services for the Provincial Offices in Brooklyn and Middle Village. She computerized Provincial Office data across all departments; she created and published the New York Province Newsletter. She was also a talented photographer and took pictures at most community functions. She worked on various community projects; for example, the annual Golf Outing Committee, a fund raising project. Outside the community she gave computer workshops at St. John’s University while also working as a computer expert for various small businesses.

Sister Maureen Forde (Daniel Noreen)

Sister Maureen spent many years in New York teaching on Long Island and in Brooklyn parishes, as well as co-managing a group home for at-risk girls. She returned to her beloved home parish of Saint Peter's, Dorchester, MA, where she taught for several more years before retiring to Marillac Residence at Mount Saint Vincent, Wellesley, MA in 2013. Sister Maureen was known everywhere for her generous spirit, her wonderful laugh and big smile. She loved her students and treasured her years teaching, and especially loved mentoring new, young teachers.

Sister Joan DeGrace (James Kevin)

Sister Joan received her B.Sc. in Elementary Education from Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax and her post graduate diploma from UNB, Fredericton. Sister Joan began her ministry teaching in Williston Park and Richmond Hill New York, before returning to the Maritimes to teach in Bathurst NB; Halifax, Musquodoboit and Cole Harbour NS. In 1990 Sister Joan returned to university, obtaining her Masters of Theology from the Atlantic School of Theology and her Masters of Arts in Pastoral Care/Health Services from Saint Paul’s University Ottawa. She received her certification as a specialist in Pastoral Care in 1995 from C.A.P.P.E. in Halifax. While in graduate studies in Ottawa she served as Chaplain at Carleton Hospital. Upon graduation she served as Director of Pastoral Care at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in NB and then at Cape Breton Regional Hospital in NS. In 1999 she returned to Halifax and was appointed Hospital Chaplain at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. From 2001-2009 Sister Joan was missioned to Quebec to serve with the Spiritual Care Ministry at Saint Elizabeth Centre.

Sister Timothy Marie Hogan

Sister Timothy Marie Hogan, beloved Sister of Charity, Halifax for 82 years, entered peacefully into eternal life on August 28, 2022 at the age of 100. Missioned in 1943 to Our Lady Help of Christians School in Brooklyn, NY where she taught elementary grades for six years. She spent the next sixteen years of ministry in various school in Nova Scotia, returning to Saint Patrick School, Lawrence, MA in 1965. Sister Timothy spent twenty-three years teaching at Saint Patrick School. She took an assignment at Most Precious Blood School and then serving as volunteer substitute teacher at Saint Patrick’s until retiring in 1998. Timothy moved to Marillac Residence, Wellesley, MA in 2006. Throughout her ministry in education, she taught religious education classes in the parishes in which she served as moderating the parish sodality in Dartmouth NS.

Sister Dorothy Mulcahy (Maria Dorothy)

Sister Dorothy was involved in Education, serving as a teacher and administrator for thirty-six years. She taught in New York (Woodside), Nova Scotia (Halifax, New Aberdeen, Bedford, Lower Sackville and Enfield) and British Columbia (Vancouver). She served as a principal in Nova Scotia (Port Hawkesbury) and Province of Quebec (St. Michel).  She worked with the Halifax Municipal School Board, teaching special education classes. She also taught Religious Education classes. For seven years, Sister Dorothy served at Seton House of Prayer in British Columbia (Summerland and Kelowna) where she supported pastoral ministers, directed retreats, and provided spiritual direction.  In 1991, she transferred to St. Vincent Convent, Edmonton, Alberta where she was involved in congregational administration. She continued working in administration when she returned to Halifax and served in leadership at Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse. She moved to Caritas Residence and served as a volunteer from 2008 until she retired in 2011.

Sister Anne McGovern (Hugh Francis)

Sister Anne entered the Sisters of Charity, Halifax in 1948 and was missioned to Saint Peter School in Dorchester, MA where she began her ministry as an elementary school teacher. Following this assignment she served at Saint Pius Memorial School in Halifax, Saint Mary School in Port Hawkesbury, and Saint Catherine School in Halifax, Nova Scotia, coming back to Saint Peter School, Dorchester in 1967. Sister Anne returned to native New York in 1972 to teach at Saint Barnabas School, Bellmore, Our Lady of the Cenacle School, Richmond Hill where she served for several years and continued on as a substitute teacher there and at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine School, Jamaica into her retirement years. Sister Anne’s ministry was not confined to the classroom. She found herself involved in many parish activities wherever she was missioned—Religious Education, Sodality, adult and children’s choir, training Alter Servers, Sisters of Charity Auxiliary and as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.

Sister Joan Meeks (Joan Stephen)

Sister Joan entered the Sisters of Charity, Halifax in 1949 and began her ministry as a teacher at Saint Patrick School in Quebec. Sister Joan was then missioned to Boston where she taught at Saint Kevin School and Saint Peter School, Dorchester, MA and Saint Michael School, North Andover, MA for almost fifteen years. In 1967, Sister Joan returned to her native New York to teach at Resurrection-Ascension School and Maria Regina High School in Uniondale, NY. She then was missioned to Saint Barnabas School in Bellmore, where she served as Principal. Toward the end of her educational career, Sister Joan accepted a position as a Residential Counselor at Boys Hope International in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she worked with adolescent boys in need of support and direction. Following this, she returned to New York to serve in the New York Childhood Center at Saint Brendan School in Brooklyn as an Educational Assistant. Her last teaching assignment was at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine School in Jamaica, NY before retiring to Marillac Residence at Mount Saint Vincent in Wellesley in 2012.

I see the everlasting hills so near,
and the door of my Eternity so wide open.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

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