by Sister Sally McLaughlin
The last Sister of Charity leaves Saint Patrick Convent, Roxbury, our first mission in the United States.
The convent will be closing at the end of May. In the midst of preparing and packing for her move on April 23, Sister Kathleen Carven fell on Good Friday. Sisters of Charity to the rescue! After Sister Maryanne Ruzzo organized a Zoom meeting to coordinate plans, a team of Sisters took over packing for the move from St. Pat’s and unpacking and preparing the apartment for Sister Kathleen. In addition to the group involved in the move, Sister Esther Plefka is preparing meals. We’re happy to report that her new apartment is ready and waiting for Sister Kathleen.
Moving assistants: Sisters Lillian Conroy, Carol Verville, Katherine McGrath, Kay Conroy, Pat McCarthy, Sally McLaughlin and Maureen Beale.
(We wore our masks all day – just off for a few seconds for the photo.)
From the Archives — Quick Facts about St. Patrick, Roxbury
- St. Patrick’s Convent, Roxbury, the 17th Mission of the Congreagation, and the first established in the United States, was a response to the request of Rev. Joseph Gallagher, Pastor, who was about to open a school in the Parish.
- In August 1887, Sisters M. Bonaventure Kennedy, Superior; Maria Hurley; M. Baptista Bauld; M. Evangelista MacNamara; M. Sebastian Thibodeau; and M. Pauline Burns, took up residence in a cottage on Perrin Street and opened the school, for girls only, in the basement of the Church, pending the gradual occupation of the school building which had just been completed. The Sisters lived on Perrin Street until August 17, 1917 when they moved to the newly built convent at 115 Mt. Pleasant Avenue.
- On September 7, 1887, St. Patrick’s Elementary School, located on Mt. Pleasant Avenue, opened its first classes. The enrolment was more than 500 girls. It was not until 1930 when a second new school was built that boys became students in St. Patrick’s School. In September 1888, High School classes were opened.
- In July 1956, St. Patrick’s Convent was designated as the first Provincial House of the Boston Diocese – the official residence of the first Provincial Superior.
- In September 1957, St. Patrick’s High School was affiliated with and credited by the Catholic University of America.
More Charity Alive – May 2020
Nova Scotia Strong
We keep hope alive knowing how blessed we have been by the prayers and love at home and all over the world.
How we are coming together during the pandemic
A parade, Zoom chats and in-person ministry. A glimpse at how we are coping during COVID-19.
Last Sister moves out of St Patrick Convent in Roxbury, MA
The last Sister of Charity leaves Saint Patrick Convent, Roxbury, our first mission in the United States.
Praying during the Pandemic at Mount Saint Vincent, Wellesley
The Lenten season was profoundly moving this year not only because it coincided with the Pandemic Coronavirus but also because of the reflections offered by Sisters Mary Ann Connolly and Judy Park.
From the Archives – North Sydney
The Sisters first started their health care ministry in North Sydney, NS at the Hamilton Memorial Hospital in 1908.
Charity Alive – April 2020
When This Is Over
Covid 19, the pandemic, will end but the experience will continue to inform our memories, thoughts and behaviours for some time to come.
Federation Company of Charity Formation Personnel
Sisters Maryanne Ruzzo and Evelyn Williams along with our Associate Co-Coordinators Ann Masters and Carol Evans attended the Company of Charity Formation Personnel meeting in New York in early March.
El Salvador Water Project
The members of our Water Project committee, Mabel Najarro, Maureen Wild, Kay Conroy, Carrie Flemming, Cecilia Hudec and Maryanne Ruzzo, as well as all the Sisters, are thrilled that our first water project in Chalatenango, El Salvador is complete.
Regional Meetings
Regional Meetings brought together Sisters and Associates, from all over to reflect on Sister Peggy O'Neill's talk from the Federation Assembly last May.
From the Archives – Bermuda
At the request of Archbishop O’Brien, four Sisters departed Halifax on February 15th 1890 and arrived in Bermuda after four days at sea. On March 3rd, 1890, they opened Mount Saint Agnes Academy. The Sisters owned and operated the school until 1975, when they transferred ownership to the Diocese of Hamilton.
