In Memoriam


We Remember Them At the beginning of the year and at its end…

God of time and eternity, help us look to the past with gratitude and to the future with hope.

We remember this day those who have gone before us here, who labored not for themselves alone but with a vision of creating for the future a world better than they had known.

 

Sister Ellen Powers, CSJ

Sister Ellen Powers, CSJ

Thank you, Sister Ellen, for the many ways you provided your helping hand, God’s helping hand within educational, congregational and family situations. We know that you now experience that future full of hope that God has promised and prepared for you.

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Sister Patricia McLaughlin, CSJ

Sister Patricia McLaughlin, CSJ

Her natural disposition as well as her faith life made her approachable and warm, a favorite with young and old, a beloved aunt, and a genuine reflection of the generosity of God’s love.

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Sister Helen Callahan, CSJ

Sister Helen Callahan, CSJ

“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.” When I think of Helen Callahan, the first word that comes to me is gracious. Google defines this as “marked by kindness and courtesy, generosity of spirit. Scripture says, “God’s response is to call God own self “gracious.” So, Helen is in good company.

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Sister John Mary Quirk, CSJ

Sister John Mary Quirk, CSJ

John Mary would be celebrating sixty-five years as a Sister of St. Joseph in October of this year. She began her ministerial journey as a teacher in Sacred Heart School in Weymouth. How she loved teaching first graders. Her gentleness and nurturing manner were life-giving gifts for the children to whom she ministered. She went on to teach first grade at St. Pius, Lynn.

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Sister Patricia Ann Logan, CSJ

Sister Patricia Ann Logan, CSJ

“This is what God asks of you, only this, to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God.” How often have we heard these words – words that Sister Patricia chose for today’s celebration?

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Sister Ellen Pumphret, CSJ

Sister Ellen Pumphret, CSJ

Ellen Cecilia Pumphret was a woman of deep faith. She was a resurrection woman. Is it any wonder that God called her home during this Easter season – a season of new life and hope, a season of promise?

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Sister Nancy Brennan, CSJ

Sister Nancy Brennan, CSJ

If anyone ever “flew below the radar”, it was Nancy Brennan! The original founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph exhorted them to be a “hidden design”, so Nancy was merely following that guideline.

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Sister Mary Kelleher, CSJ

Sister Mary Kelleher, CSJ

Mary’s life was not always easy. She didn’t always believe in her own goodness and kindness even as she affirmed and championed the goodness in others.

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Sister Patricia Cushing, CSJ

Sister Patricia Cushing, CSJ

Patricia approached her last journey with grace and resolve and when she had accomplished her task, she allowed her spirit to rest in the Lord. A woman of courage!

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Sister Anna Bridget Crann, CSJ

Sister Anna Bridget Crann, CSJ

Anna Crann was a lifelong giver of joy and service to others – especially at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham. Hers was a spirituality of waiting: accompanying the sisters in their last moments of life to their eternal life. How she loved her ministry.

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Sister Geraldine Shea, CSJ

Sister Geraldine Shea, CSJ

For many years, Sr. Geraldine volunteered at Camp Pablo in Haverhill, nurturing children with muscular dystrophy with her good cooking and happy spirit. Just prior to her move to Bethany, Gerry volunteered at Mt. St. Joseph Academy and St. Joseph Prep.

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Sister Rita Virginia McCarthy, CSJ

Sister Rita Virginia McCarthy, CSJ

In the late sixties, early seventies, Rita, like some other sisters at that time, began to work in the courts, advocating for and supporting adolescents who were having difficulty navigating home and school.

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Sister Rena Foley, CSJ

Sister Rena Foley, CSJ

With a twinkle in her eye, a great sense of humor and a fondness for mischief, Rena kept fifty-three postulants, literally and figuratively, “on our toes!!”

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Sister Edna Marie Barbadoro, CSJ

Sister Edna Marie Barbadoro, CSJ

Sister Edna lived her life with love, prayer, grace, compassion, dignity, gentle strength, and faithfulness to her calls as a nurse and a Sister of St. Joseph for seventy-three years.

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Sister Mary Olsen, CSJ

Sister Mary Olsen, CSJ

Mary, like your namesake, you have blessed all those who have had the good fortune to know you. You have blessed them by your genuine care, your graciousness, and your warmth.

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Sister Patricia Ellen Corkery, CSJ

Sister Patricia Ellen Corkery, CSJ

Sister Patricia Corkery filled our world with love. What a gift and blessing she was and is to us: Sisters of St. Joseph; her family; her many friends; her Church; and this fragile world. She spent her days making people happy.

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Sister Mary Claire O’Connor, CSJ

Sister Mary Claire O’Connor, CSJ

As a teacher in elementary education at St Benedict’s in Somerville, St. Joseph’s, Lynn, St. John’s, Quincy, St. Catherine’s, Norwood, St. Theresa’s, West Roxbury and Sacred Heart, Weymouth, Mary Claire was a witness to God’s love to the students, parents, and teachers with whom she ministered.

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Mary Teresa Norton, CSJ

Mary Teresa Norton, CSJ

September 7, 1931 – April 28, 2022, Mary valued her “call” to be in the service of God.  At her jubilee in 1978, her theme in both readings and music was, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.” Sister Vida, whose name means “Life” had given her life to the One who knew her and called her by name. Work was also a value to Mary Teresa, as a teenager and as she lived into the winter of her life.

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Catherine Mary Meade, CSJ

Catherine Mary Meade, CSJ

December 9, 1927 – March 21, 2022: After her studies in higher education, she began her long (40 plus years) ministry at Regis College in the History Department. She soon became the chairperson of that department as well as a Student Advisor. She was well known for her creative curriculum development and collaborative teaching. She introduced Museum Studies into the History Department. Catherine, along with other faculty members, became immersed in women’s history. She believed, for women, the path to equality stretched far ahead, and the journey had only begun.

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Sister Mary Malone, CSJ

Sister Mary Malone, CSJ

October 26, 1929 – February 7, 2022
The image of the Good Shepherd is one of gentleness, peace and compassion. These qualities describe Sister Mary Malone, who is remembered by all as a gentle and kind person. We bless you, Mary, for the gift of joy as manifestation of the love of God, which you so readily shared with us. All the happy memories of your presence among us will provide comfort in our loss. Our prayer is that you now experience the eternal joy, which is your reward for a life of gentle, humble and loving fidelity to your Good Shepherd!

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Sister Anna Edge, CSJ

Sister Anna Edge, CSJ

July 31, 1954 – February 4, 2022
Anna spoke out against injustice at the School of the Americas in Georgia, stood with the migrant workers in North Carolina and with the people of El Salvador. She spoke out wherever the dear neighbor suffered. Her light shined on all with whom she came in contact. What did Anna do with her one, precious life? She gave it away, to God and others, unconditionally. And that has made all the difference.

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Sister Barbara Reney, CSJ

Sister Barbara Reney, CSJ

April 15, 1933 – January 20, 2022
Threaded through all of Barbara’s ministries was the expression of her experience in writing. Not only did Barbara craft lovely prose works, but she also had a gift for poetic expression. Her poem about the one hundred one windows of the retreat center serves as evidence of her romance with language. Among her favorite poems were the works of Mary Oliver, whose books lined Barbara’s shelves.

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Sister Mary Scanlon, CSJ

Sister Mary Scanlon, CSJ

May 22, 1932 – December 20, 2021
Mary educated and impacted the lives of thousands of students; she cared about and loved her students; she lived life well; she was selfless; she was dedicated to God and God’s children; she was a great math teacher and made math understandable to those who had a hard time with math.

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Sister Thomasine Knowlton, CSJ

Sister Thomasine Knowlton, CSJ

January 7, 1933 – December 5, 2021
It was her thirty-six-year tenure at Spellman that served as the highlight of her ministry. Beginning as a teacher of Latin and Russian, Thomasine soon became assistant principal, principal, and finally, president of a thriving school. “Sister T” endeared herself to faculty, students, and parents alike because of her sincere dedication to all who comprised the school community.

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Sister Marie Ancilla McCarthy, CSJ

Sister Marie Ancilla McCarthy, CSJ

April 13, 1935 – December 11, 2021
Ever gracious, kind, and gentle, Betty, Sister Marie Ancilla has gone home to her God with hands full of blessings – both those she gave and those she was for others. May her reward be truly a heavenly feast to rival that of Isaiah’s!

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Sister Margaret Crann, CSJ

Sister Margaret Crann, CSJ

October 5, 1941 – November 21, 2021

Margaret loved all things spiritual and she was a true seeker of God. Their daily ride to Framingham became a prayerful event for them because they witnessed the sun rising. And now the sun has set on Margaret’s life. I can hear her uttering her favorite words: If the only prayer you ever say is “thank you” that is enough.

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