Charity Alive – December 2024
In this issue of Charity Alive the focus is on what brings us joy! Click here to read Charity Alive December [...]
In this issue of Charity Alive the focus is on what brings us joy! Click here to read Charity Alive December [...]
Sister Mildred's ministries spanned a spectrum of ages. She began her teaching ministry with fourth grade students at Our Lady Help of Christians School in Brooklyn, NY. From there, she was missioned to Saint Patrick's High School in Roxbury, MA. Having received a Master's Degree in Counseling, Sister Mildred served as a counselor at Saint Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing. Then, responding to a need at Saint Patrick's Grammar School, she returned there to teach grades six and seven. In 1977, she was appointed as the Personnel Director for the Sisters of Charity in the Boston area. This assignment was followed by her appointment as Director of Novices for Boston and New York.
In this issue of Charity Alive the focus is on the Ministry of Prayer. The topic is as multifaceted as there are people who engage in it.
Sister Roberta received her B.Sc. in Elementary Education in BC in 1964, her B.A. from Mount Saint Vincent University in 1970, and in 1972 received her Registered Nursing Diploma from the Edmonton General Hospital School of Nursing. In 1993 she received a Certificate in Gerontological Nursing, with distinction, from Grant MacEwan Community College in Alberta. Her early career was spent teaching in Vancouver BC as well as in Halifax. Shortly after graduating from Nursing School she devoted the rest of career to nursing, working at St Vincent Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital in BC, at the St. Vincent Motherhouse in Halifax, and in Edmonton at the Lynnwood Care Centre. In 1996, Sister Roberta was missioned to Dominican Republic where she spent 14 years nursing until she retired in 2010.
Sister Maureen's life in ministry was multi-faceted. She began as a teacher in both Yarmouth and Halifax, Nova Scotia and Arvida, Quebec. Returning to New York, she served as a teacher, music educator and Music Consultant for the Catholic Schools in Brooklyn, NY. She served as a Campus Minister at Queens College, NY and Rutger's University, in New Jersey. As time moved on, Sister Maureen broadened her ministry acquiring a doctoral degree from Saint John's University, NY in Psychology, specializing in Substance Abuse Rehabilitation and Counseling. She worked briefly at Elmhurst Hospital as a unit supervisor of the Methadone Clinic and, after her retirement, volunteered at the Staten Island University Hospital. Sister Maureen established the Sisters of Charity Associates on Staten Island. Retreat work was at the heart of Sister Maureen's ministry, primarily at Mount Manresa Retreat House on Staten Island, where she was an Administrative Director, retreat and spiritual director and coordinator of spiritual programs. Perhaps the pinnacle of her life in ministry is best captured in her response to the terror attack of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. Sister Maureen along with Sister Grazyna Michniewicz, SC served as chaplains for the NYPD and NYFD at Ground Zero and the salvage site on Staten Island where they offered respite, counselling and rest at Mount Manresa.
Sister Mildred was missioned at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine School in Jamaica, NY, where she taught junior high school students for fourteen years. She moved to Saint Francis Preparatory School (formerly Bishop Reilly High School) in Fresh Meadows, NY, where she served as a school psychologist for over twenty years. Sister Mildred also had a private practice, offering psychotherapy for children, adolescents and adults. She also served as the Director of the Religious Consultation Service of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY, where she offered referrals to religious individuals seeking help, as well as leaders of the various congregation serving the diocese. Through her warm and compassionate presence, Sister Mildred made the love of God visible and tangible to every person and in every situation she encountered.
Sister Peggy died peacefully at Caritas Residence, Halifax on August 19, 2024 at the age of 89. Born in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, she was a daughter of the late Henry and Sabine (Rose) Malcolm. She entered the Sisters of Charity Halifax in 1953 and taught elementary school in Vancouver, Halifax, Glace Bay, Dorval, QC and Bermuda. Following her teaching career, Sister Peggy worked in Campus Ministry at Assumption University, ON and St. Mary's University, NS before moving into Prison Ministry in 1987, a calling to which she devoted the rest of her career. Sister Peggy was brave, fun loving, generous and happy, with nonstop energy and support for many.
Sister Barbara was a beloved Sister of Charity, Halifax, for 65 years, entered peacefully into eternal life with her God on August 13, 2024, at Elizabeth Seton Residence, Wellesley, MA. Sister Barbara's ministry was centered in education, as a teacher and then a guidance counselor. She spent several years at Saint Michael's School in North Andover, MA, and then at the former Saint Mary's School in Randolph, MA. In the early 1970's, Sister Barbara was missioned to Saint Patrick's School, where she served as a teacher, counselor and tutor, and in the parish, for 49 years. During those years, she spent some time as a member of the Novitiate Community of the Sisters of Charity in the Boston area.
Sister Elaine's primary ministry was education, a ministry which took her far and wide. She began at Saint Sabastian's School in Woodside, NY. From New York she traveled to Halifax, Nova Scotia to teach at the Oxford School. Her ministry took her next to Renton, Washington, where she taught at Saint Anthony School for ten years, before moving to Vancouver, BC to teach at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. Returning to Boston in 1976, Sister Elaine continued her teaching ministry for the next 32 years at Saint Kevin School, Monsignor Ryan Memorial School and Elizabeth Seton Academy, all in Dorchester, MA. During that time, Sister Elaine spent a year of study, pursuing courses in Art, which was one of her deep passions.
Sister Madeleine attended Mount Saint Vincent University where she received a B.Sc in Secretarial Studies in 1968. Sister was active in her ministry for over 50 years which began in education, teaching in Dartmouth and Stellarton, NS. In 1958, she returned to Halifax and worked in various departments of the Congregational Administration offices. She faithfully returned to her family farm in Tawatinaw, AB to care for her aging parents in 1980. In 1983 she resumed her ministry and worked in various departments for the Archdiocese of Edmonton.