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Archives Meet our religious jubilarians
Nine religious women celebrate special anniversaries in 2017

Oct. 25, 2017

75TH JubileeSister Jubilee

Sister Victorine Brenon, SSJ
I was born in Carthage, the daughter of Victor and Florence McAvoy  Brenon, one of ten children, two of whom were Sister Geraldine and Sister Rita Marie, both Sisters of St. Joseph of Watertown.

I attended a country school for grades one through five, and Augustinian Academy in Carthage until graduation in 1941.

Following my novitiate, I attended Marywood College in Scranton, PA, graduating with a BS degree in Education. I received my MS degree from Plattsburgh State University.  Graduate studies were pursued at Ypsilanti State University in Michigan, and Notre Dame University, in Indiana.

I taught in several diocesan schools: Bishop Conroy, Ogdensburg; Champlain Academy, Port Henry; St. Joseph’s School in Dannemora; as well as Holy Family and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Schools in Watertown.
I have been in community and school administration, and served as Secretary of the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal. My final years of ministry was visiting shut-ins at St. James Parish in Carthage.

Now that I’m retired I appreciate the time to pray, read, and telephone shut-ins.

70TH Jubilee

Sister Maurice Black, SSJ
Before I entered the convent, my name was Evelyn Elizabeth Black.  I was born six miles west of Tupper Lake in Piercefield, the oldest of 13 children.  My parents were Aloney and Madeline Brown Black.

We lived in Piercefield, until the mid 1930’s, when the paper mill closed and moved to a rented farm outside of Bombay. After seven years, our family bought the farm and my brother Glenn now lives there.

We had a lot of simple fun growing up. We enjoyed softball as a family, my father playing with his children. My mother with one or two babies in arms, was our cheerleader.  My parents taught us responsibility and hard work.
God was a big part of our lives.  We went to church regularly and received the Sacraments. After we moved to Fort Covington, we went to St. Mary’s School there. I graduated from Fort Covington High School in 1946 and  entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in the Fall of 1946.

I graduated from Villanova University with a BS in Education from the College of St. Rose in Albany with an MS in education, nursery school through grade 6, and in Special Education for the Disabled. I also received an AA degree in Religious Studies at Mater Dei College.

I served God’s people at our diocesan schools, and involved for several years at St. Patrick’s Children’s Home.  For nearly 40 years, I taught religious education to the disabled.

My 70 years have been very fulfilling. I  thank God for all of His blessings.

Sister Gabriel Marie Meyer, SSJ
Friday, the 13th of November, 1925, what a lucky day for me!  I was born the third child to John and Anastasia (Marilley) Meyer. We lived on a farm outside the village of Croghan and were members of St. Stephen’s Church.   

I was blessed with an older sister, Elizabeth, (who died at age two) and an older brother, Harold, who is also deceased, two younger brothers George, (deceased) and Donald and two younger sisters, Helena and Norma.
My education started in a one-room school for the first eight years, then Beaver Falls High School and Watertown School of Commerce. I worked as a secretary for three years before entering the Sisters of St. Joseph Community. My education continued in their Normal School. I received my B.S. in Education from the College of St. Rose in Albany. I taught the intermediate grades in various schools of the diocese before attending St. Patrick’s School of Social Work, Ottawa, Canada to obtain my M.S.W degree.

My ministry continued at St. Patrick’s Children’s Home, Catholic Charities and as pastoral associate at St. James Parish, Carthage, St. James Parish, Gouverneur and St. Martin/St. John, Port Leyden/Lyons Falls.
I am now retired and living at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse in Watertown. God has blessed me with a joyful, fulfilling life in His service.

Sister Kateri Rose, SSJ
Jubilee is a time to celebrate life and to celebrate the Sisters of St. Joseph of Watertown, who have been a blessing in my life since I entered the community.

As I look at my circle of life with its unique spiritual, educational, and personal growth opportunities, linked to the privilege of life in Community, along with a “work net” of relationships and interactions with a vast array of people from many walks of life, I am humbled and grateful to our Heavenly Father who sustains and guides my life,  goals and dreams along the way.

My parents, John Martin Rose and Tress Mary, were a joy and blessing, as were my brothers and sisters, who were always ready to encourage, and support me.

I have an MA and an MS in education and have taught in many diocesan schools, as well as Mater Dei College run by the Sisters of St. Joseph.  In addition, during my later years, I have been a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, worked as a Basic Literacy Volunteer, and ESOL instructor, as well , a Religious Education Coordinator. I am also a North Country artist.

I look forward to more life-giving years, as I continue to journey with my Sisters and friends.

60TH Jubilee

Sister Brian Marie Latour, RSM
Sister Brian Marie was born on December 28, 1939, in Saranac Lake, the oldest daughter of Tuffield  A. and M. Elizabeth Kennedy Latour.

She attended St. Bernard’s School in Saranac Lake, and graduated in 1957 from Saranac Lake High School.
Sister Brian Marie entered the Sisters of Mercy in Tarrytown, NY on September 8, 1957. 

She attended Mercy College and was a graduate of Manhattanville College with a BA in Music in 1962.
Since she attended Manhattanville  at the time of the beginning of the Liturgical Renewal, Sister Brian Marie was exposed to great teachers of Gregorian Chant, as well as those beginning the teaching of modern liturgical hymns.

She received her Master’s Degree in Education from SUNY Potsdam in 1968.

Sister Brian Marie was received for profession of first vows on August 16, 1960, and final vows on August 16, 1965.

She spent years teaching elementary school at St. Cecilia’ School in Manhattan, St. Patrick’s School, Brasher Falls; St. Bernard’s School, Saranac Lake; Holy Ghost Academy, Tupper Lake; St. John’s Academy, Plattsburgh. She was the last principal of St. John’s School in Plattsburgh and the founding principal of Seton Catholic in Plattsburgh.  Sister Brian Marie was also an interim principal at St. Agnes School, Lake Placid.

Sister worked at the Susan Devin Residence in the Bronx, St. Michael’s Home on Staten Island, and was the Director of Activities at Mercy Hospital, Watertown . She spent six years in Pastoral Ministry at St. Patrick’s in Brasher Falls, NY. Later, she was the local coordinator of the Motherhouse Community  in Dobbs Ferry, NY
Since 2007, Sister Brian Marie has been working the AfterCare Program at Seton Academy.  She is a member of St. John’s Parish, Plattsburgh, where she serves as lector, Eucharistic Minister, and a member of the Altar-Rosary Society.

Sister Marie Angele Ellis, SSJ
Sister Marie Angele, a native of Carthage, is the daughter of the late Toufee and Angele Hobeiche Ellis.
A graduate of Augustinian Academy, Carthage; Central City Business Institute, Syracuse; and SUNY Potsdam, she pursued a business career as a medical secretary in Syracuse, before entering the Sisters of St. Joseph in September 1956.

She received the habit from Bishop Walter P. Kellenberg in 1957, and made her Final Profession in 1962.
Sister Marie Angele taught at a number of diocesan schools , and in 1963 to 1997 was the Community Treasurer. From 1973 to 1981, she  was assistant Superior General.

Sister Marie Angele has served on the Diocesan Finance Council, and was Pastoral Associate at St. James Parish in Carthage, until her retirement in 2015.

Sister Cathleen Moore
Sister Cathleen Moore (Sister Emmanuel) is the youngest child of Edward and Hazel Spilman Moore.
She graduated from Morristown Central High School in 1956, and in the fall of that year, entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Watertown. Sister Cathleen received her BA in elementary education from SUNY Potsdam. She later pursued her MA in Religious Education from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vt.
Sister Cathleen has ministered in schools and parishes throughout the Ogdensburg Diocese as a teacher, principal and Director of Religious Education. Her motto is, “Where there are people, there is ministry to be done”.

Sister Cathleen ventured into the study of Cosmetology and worked in this ministry for about 15 years, in both hair salons and nursing homes in Syracuse.  She was the Catholic Chaplain for Loretto Cunningham/Fahey Nursing Facility in Syracuse, for many years.  She enjoyed being with the residents, their families, employees, and volunteers.

Sister Cathleen enjoys celebrating the differences of each season. She appreciates and enjoys being with her community and with her families and friends. Sister celebrates life daily, by her thoughts , words and actions.

Sister Mary Paul Blank, SSJ
Sister Mary Paul was born in Wilno, Ontario, a small town in the center Algonquin Park known as “God’s  country.” She entered religious life at age 21.

Sister Mary Paul graduated from Toronto Teachers College in teaching methods and in academics. She received her BA from Toronto University, and her MA in Theology from St. Bonaventure’s University.

She taught in Toronto, Hamilton and St. Gregory’s School in Oshawa, Ontario. Her teaching career continued at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Watertown, where she opened the preschool. She also taught at Augustinian Academy in Carthage, Seton Catholic High School in Plattsburgh, and St. Mary’s Academy in Champlain.
Blessed with a special gift and love of teaching, Sister Mary Paul worked wonders with many children who struggled to read, as well a gifted children, instilling in them wonder and love of God and His wonderful gifts, creativity and love for learning.

After a busy life of prayer, instilling love of God in young people, and the ministry of teaching, if religious ever retire, Sister Mary Paul now resides at the Motherhouse in Watertown, caring daily for over 100 plants throughout the house, decorating the dining room for the seasons and special feasts, helping wherever needed, and enjoying extra time for prayer.

Sister Marie Cordata Kelly, SSJ
Sister Marie Cordata Kelly was born in AuSable Forks and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph at age 17. She graduated from SUNY Potsdam, with a BS in Education, and later earned Master’s Degree in Business Education and Office Supervision from The Catholic University of America, as well as a Master’s Degree in Theology from St. Bonaventure University.

Sister Cordata enjoyed teaching for a total of 53 years in the Ogdensburg Diocese, including St. Andrew’s School in Norwood, St. Mary’s School in Fort Covington, St. Joseph the Worker School in Mineville, St. Mary’s School in Massena, Immaculate Heart Central High School in Watertown, and Seton Catholic Central High School in Plattsburgh, as well as St. Mary’s Academy in Champlain.

Sister Cordata now serves as secretary to the Major Superior, at the Motherhouse. She enjoys interacting each day with the Sisters, employees, and volunteers, while especially enjoying extra time for prayer.


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