Oct. 29, 2014

Known in religion as Sister James Marie, I was christened Eileen Theresa Kelly in St. Mary's Cathedral, Ogdensburg. I was pre-school age when my family moved to Watertown, so my education was received from the Sisters of St. Joseph at Holy Family School and Immaculate Heart Academy.

After graduation from high school, I entered the Sisters of St. Joseph and received the religious habit on April 25, 1954. The major I pursued in college was secondary math, so I spent many years teaching math-related subjects in high school and middle school.

My ministry has involved both school administration and classroom teaching.

Administration duties were fulfilled at Augustinian Academy High School in Carthage, Holy Family High School in Massena, and St. Mary's School in Ticonderoga. I also had the opportunity to teach at St. Mary's in Massena, St. Patrick's in Port Henry, and St. Patrick's in Watertown.

In 1995, I was transferred to Immaculate Heart Central where I taught math and religion in the high school.  When the four Watertown schools merged their junior high with IHC high school in 2003, I assumed a new role as religion teacher in junior high. I still enjoy my teaching career. 

Through the years, I have had the privilege and responsibility to serve my community on the Leadership Team for several terms.

Some light frivolous memories of my past include swimming across the St. Lawrence River before I entered, since I mistakenly thought I would never swim again, gliding down the bobsled run at Lake Placid at the Augustinian senior winter class trip, and riding as a passenger on my nephew's motorcycle on a major highway.

Among more elegant memories that I treasure are my trip to the Vatican and the Holy Land, a workshop at Notre Dame University, a retreat at Niagara Falls, two Papal Masses at Yankee Stadium, and a vacation with my sisters to Washington, DC.

I treasure my family, friends, and Community members who have all enriched my life in so many ways for so many years.

In addition to the religious values that I hold dear, I maintain great loyalty to America, to Notre Dame football, and to my Irish heritage.