In announcing the death of Sister Ernestine to the Congregation the following quote was written from Psalm 30. 

“I will dance before the Lord.”  

For me, this was an appropriate sentence to express who Sister Ernestine was to all of us!  

Ernestine had the joy of being raised in a family of great love: she was the daughter of John and Bridget Quealy, and the sibling of John, Thomas, Vincent, Lawrence, Theresa, and Brendan. 

As a prayerful young woman, she heard God’s call and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1943. 

Sister Ernestine was a woman who knew in the depths of her being who God was to her. A loving God who delighted in her love for life, her friends, especially, Sister Mary McCormack, her family, Sisters with whom she lived and ministered. She ministered as a teacher and principal in various Archdiocesan schools, as a CCD Director, and Parish minister. Not retiring after her work at St. Luke’s Parish, Ernestine volunteered at Newton Wellesley Hospital, accompanying the women patients in the Radiology Department.  

Sister Ernestine chose the readings for her Funeral Mass. I think she wanted us to know her, as well as suggest to us how we may live her legacy in our future days. 

From the letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians we hear the words… 

Put on… compassion, gentleness, love, dwell, gratitude, do… in the name of the Lord Jesus, and give thanks! 

All these virtues Sister Ernestine manifested in her daily life. She was a woman religious who radiated God’s love to all she met and supported. 

From the letter of Paul to the Romans:  

“Don’t you know we who are baptized into Christ will certainly be united with Christ in a resurrection like his? If we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with Christ.”  

God chose and gave Sister Ernestine life for a long period of time, and during her one hundred years of life, Ernestine proclaimed God’s presence in all she did through her actions and words — especially with her gracious smile! 

Sister Ernestine selected the story of Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) to be read aloud at her Funeral Mass… One wonders if Ernestine chose this passage to have us recognize and trust, that during her life she had the privilege of walking with Jesus through decades of joys, transformations, and  ministries — sharing life with so many people in various stages of their lives, as well as during her own challenges as she aged.  Sister Ernestine always believed Jesus walked with her, bestowing on her his love and support. I can imagine she repeated many times as the disciples did along the road, the words of this Gospel, “Stay with [Me] the day is over.” And Jesus did just that — He stayed with her!! 

As Aunt and Grand Aunt, Sister Ernestine was so grateful for her family and for all the celebrations they shared — most recently her 100th birthday celebration in September (during which she was up dancing for most of the party)! 

Sister Ernestine, who served God faithfully, loved serving the dear neighbor, and loved being a Sister of St. Joseph, is now seeing her God face to face and hearing His words of welcome and gratitude.  

Sister Ernestine, rest in peace. 

Reflections shared by Gail Donahue CSJ, December 11, 2024 

Ernestine had the joy of being raised in a family of great love: she was the daughter of John and Bridget Quealy, and the sibling of John, Thomas, Vincent, Lawrence, Theresa, and Brendan. 

As a prayerful young woman, she heard God’s call and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1943. 

Sister Ernestine was a woman who knew in the depths of her being who God was to her. A loving God who delighted in her love for life, her friends, especially, Sister Mary McCormack, her family, Sisters with whom she lived and ministered. She ministered as a teacher and principal in various Archdiocesan schools, as a CCD Director, and Parish minister. Not retiring after her work at St. Luke’s Parish, Ernestine volunteered at Newton Wellesley Hospital, accompanying the women patients in the Radiology Department.  

Sister Ernestine chose the readings for her Funeral Mass. I think she wanted us to know her, as well as suggest to us how we may live her legacy in our future days. 

From the letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians we hear the words… 

Put on… compassion, gentleness, love, dwell, gratitude, do… in the name of the Lord Jesus, and give thanks! 

All these virtues Sister Ernestine manifested in her daily life. She was a woman religious who radiated God’s love to all she met and supported. 

From the letter of Paul to the Romans:  

“Don’t you know we who are baptized into Christ will certainly be united with Christ in a resurrection like his? If we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with Christ.”  

God chose and gave Sister Ernestine life for a long period of time, and during her one hundred years of life, Ernestine proclaimed God’s presence in all she did through her actions and words — especially with her gracious smile! 

Sister Ernestine selected the story of Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) to be read aloud at her Funeral Mass… One wonders if Ernestine chose this passage to have us recognize and trust, that during her life she had the privilege of walking with Jesus through decades of joys, transformations, and  ministries — sharing life with so many people in various stages of their lives, as well as during her own challenges as she aged.  Sister Ernestine always believed Jesus walked with her, bestowing on her his love and support. I can imagine she repeated many times as the disciples did along the road, the words of this Gospel, “Stay with [Me] the day is over.” And Jesus did just that — He stayed with her!! 

As Aunt and Grand Aunt, Sister Ernestine was so grateful for her family and for all the celebrations they shared — most recently her 100th birthday celebration in September (during which she was up dancing for most of the party)! 

Sister Ernestine, who served God faithfully, loved serving the dear neighbor, and loved being a Sister of St. Joseph, is now seeing her God face to face and hearing His words of welcome and gratitude.  

Sister Ernestine, rest in peace. 

Reflections shared by Gail Donahue CSJ, December 11, 2024 

In announcing the death of Sister Ernestine to the Congregation the following quote was written from Psalm 30. 

“I will dance before the Lord.”  

For me, this was an appropriate sentence to express who Sister Ernestine was to all of us!  

Ernestine had the joy of being raised in a family of great love: she was the daughter of John and Bridget Quealy, and the sibling of John, Thomas, Vincent, Lawrence, Theresa, and Brendan. 

As a prayerful young woman, she heard God’s call and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1943. 

Sister Ernestine was a woman who knew in the depths of her being who God was to her. A loving God who delighted in her love for life, her friends, especially, Sister Mary McCormack, her family, Sisters with whom she lived and ministered. She ministered as a teacher and principal in various Archdiocesan schools, as a CCD Director, and Parish minister. Not retiring after her work at St. Luke’s Parish, Ernestine volunteered at Newton Wellesley Hospital, accompanying the women patients in the Radiology Department.  

Sister Ernestine chose the readings for her Funeral Mass. I think she wanted us to know her, as well as suggest to us how we may live her legacy in our future days. 

From the letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians we hear the words… 

Put on… compassion, gentleness, love, dwell, gratitude, do… in the name of the Lord Jesus, and give thanks! 

All these virtues Sister Ernestine manifested in her daily life. She was a woman religious who radiated God’s love to all she met and supported. 

From the letter of Paul to the Romans:  

“Don’t you know we who are baptized into Christ will certainly be united with Christ in a resurrection like his? If we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with Christ.”  

God chose and gave Sister Ernestine life for a long period of time, and during her one hundred years of life, Ernestine proclaimed God’s presence in all she did through her actions and words — especially with her gracious smile! 

Sister Ernestine selected the story of Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) to be read aloud at her Funeral Mass… One wonders if Ernestine chose this passage to have us recognize and trust, that during her life she had the privilege of walking with Jesus through decades of joys, transformations, and  ministries — sharing life with so many people in various stages of their lives, as well as during her own challenges as she aged.  Sister Ernestine always believed Jesus walked with her, bestowing on her his love and support. I can imagine she repeated many times as the disciples did along the road, the words of this Gospel, “Stay with [Me] the day is over.” And Jesus did just that — He stayed with her!! 

 As Aunt and Grand Aunt, Sister Ernestine was so grateful for her family and for all the celebrations they shared — most recently her 100th birthday celebration in September (during which she was up dancing for most of the party)! 

Sister Ernestine, who served God faithfully, loved serving the dear neighbor, and loved being a Sister of St. Joseph, is now seeing her God face to face and hearing His words of welcome and gratitude.  

Sister Ernestine, rest in peace. 

Reflections shared by Gail Donahue, CSJ, December 11, 2024