Oct. 2, 2019 Sister Mary Audrey Hallahan, RSM I am daughter of the late Carl and Vivian N. (McLaughlin) Hallahan. They had nine children, three sons and six daughters. My brother, Joseph, died at birth. My brother, Michael Daniel, died in 1905 and my sister, Mary (Sister Mary Hallahan OSU), died in 2012. We were brought up on a farm, Meadowlark Farm, in North Lawrence. I attended Norris Grammar School, a one room schoolhouse, which was across the road, then North Lawrence Public High School. l can remember when someone asked me what I would like to be when I grew up. l would answer, “a nurse and a sister.” After graduation from high school, I went to Mercy School of Nursing in Watertown. It was there that I got to know the Sisters of Mercy. My Mentor was Sister Mary Enda Keggins, RSM. I entered the Convent in 1949 in Tarrytown. I took my first vows in 1952 and made my final profession in 1955. I Graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in Watertown as a Registered Nurse in 1954. I also took courses from Fordham University. I received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry in 1979. I was stationed in Watertown as director of Nursing, and in Tupper Lake, Gabriels, and St. Francis Hospital and Mercy Community Hospital in Port Jervis for 33 and a half years. l held many positions, including director of Nursing, head nurse and supervisor on all three shifts, as well as assistant Operating supervisor. I was Supervisor of the Emergency Department for 13 and a half years. When I retired from nursing in 1984, my ministry was in pastoral care. I came to Uihlein Mercy in 1997, where my ministry was in pastoral care until my retirement in 1999. My Ministry at present is sacristan at Elderwood of Uihlein. I thank God every day for my vocation.
Sister Mary Christine Taylor, SSJ My father, Richard Taylor, died of cancer on Dec. 2, 1934, leaving our mother, Rose Boyle Taylor, an Irish immigrant, to raise nine children. It was the Great Depression – no insurance, Social Security, welfare, or means of income. We had a home that previously sheltered the parents of our Dad, when they arrived from Ireland in 1861. Sheer hard work in the kitchen, garden, and home was mom's lot as she raised the nine of us. Eldest brothers, James, Richard, William and Michael brought home the little they earned from helping Buggey Marlow on his farm, peddling newspapers, and, eventually, digging ditches on the Works Progress Administration. Joseph, John, Ann, Mary and I were too small to be of much help, except to pick the bugs off the potato plants in the garden! Our faith-filled mother, as well as an excellent education by the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart at St. Mary’s Academy, prepared all of us for life. My first acquaintance with sisters at the time of our father's death was with Sister Margaret Taylor, G. N.S.H., who had entered the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa in in 1901. With 138 others, she had transferred to become a Grey Nun of the Sacred Heart in 1921, when the Ottawa sisters split to form the American division of the order at Melrose Park, PA. Sister Mary Margaret was elected first councilor of the new community and lived in the new Motherhouse in Philadelphia. However, she came home for our father's funeral in 1934, and with another Grey Nun walked down to our Linden Street home for the wake. I was 4 years old and remember that Sister always carried some candy in her big pocket to give to a little girl. After Sister Mary Margaret returned to Pennsylvania, other Grey Nuns from the Cathedral would come down to our home, to see our mother. I would tell them, "Sister Mary Margaret always brings me candy!" Although they did not have any to give me, I still greatly admired them. When I was in first grade, at age 6, I wrote to the Motherhouse at Melrose Park (probably with the help of Sister Naala) and asked if I could then become a sister! Of course, I was too young! Meanwhile, the 12 years at St. Mary's Academy sped by, and when I finished high school, I still desired to become a sister. By that time, my sister Mary, had entered the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart to become a sister, becoming Sister Rose Ann. I expected to follow her, but when I went to her religious profession in Pennsylvania, God told me He had other plans for me. The Sisters of St. Joseph had come to SMA to teach English, French and science. Sister Mary Evarista invited me to visit the Motherhouse in Watertown. I immediately fell in love with the sisters. Upon graduation from high school on June 27, 1948, I wrote to those sisters, and entered the religious community on September 8, 1948. After six months postulancy, I received the holy habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph on April 24, 1949 – 70 years ago! Thank God. Now it is time to celebrate 70 years of religious adventure - Watertown, AuSable Forks, Massena, Carthage, Immaculate Heart Academy, St. louis, Mater Dei College, Wadhams Hall Seminary College and Akwesasne. Throughout 45 of those years, I duplicated jobs, working nights on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation as coordinator of the Mater Dei Branch Campus and as Eucharistic Minister to the sick and elderly Mohawks, and days at Mater Dei and Wadhams Hall. Sometimes I added other jobs, including research and the writing of four books, The Foundations of Catholicism in the North Country; The Diocese of Ogdensburg Centennial; Mary's Parish; and Under Four Flags. I thank God for the wonderful blessings and opportunities He has given me to teach, administer, outreach to the poor and neglected, minister to the Mohawk Indians, write histories and to enjoy the thousands of students, friends and elders. May God always be praised!
Sister James Marie Kelly, SSJ Known in religion as Sister James Marie, I was christened Eileen Theresa Kelly in St. Mary's Cathedral, Ogdensburg. I was of 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 at 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 in middle school. Administrative 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 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 and 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 nephews 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, 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.
Sister Mary Camillus O’Keefe, RSM The only child of David and Catherine O’Keefe, I was born and raised in New York City. I entered the Sisters of Mercy in Tarrytown. During my novitiate, we moved to the newly erected Motherhouse in Dobbs Ferry. I have always been grateful for the experience of living in both places, since it has enabled me to share memories with many more Sisters. After receiving an education degree from Mercy College Dobbs Ferry, I was given the opportunity to further my education by attending St. Louis University, where I received a degree in physical therapy. In the Fall of 1965, I was assigned to Uihlein Mercy Center in Lake Placid. The Autumn foliage was a breathtaking welcome to the city girl. l was to be the first Physical Therapist in the center, which was not yet opened. This was the beginning of a wonderful Career in healthcare. After seven years, I had the privilege of becoming the center’s sdministrator, serving in that position until 1992. Currently, I continue to be the coordinator of St. Margaret Convent, a position I have found to be even more life giving with each passing year. Another God giving gift has been my involvement with Mercy Care for the Adirondacks (A Sister of Mercy sponsored work) since its inception in 2007. As a Board of Director and a member of several committees, l am continually inspired and energized by the accomplishments as well as the vision. Remembering these past 60 years, l can only give thanks to God, the Sisters of Mercy, my family and friends for making all the days of those years so very special.
Sister Mary Anne Croitz, SSJ Sister Mary Anne Croitz received the habit as a Sister of St. Joseph in Watertown, with Bishop James J. Navagh officiating. At that time, she was given the name Sister M. Stanislaus. The daughter of John and Mary Kicak Croitz, she was born in West Carthage, attended Herrings Grade School, and graduated from Augustinian Academy in Carthage as valedictorian. She was a member of St. Rita's Parish in Deferiet, where she was the organist. While in high school, she was a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph Conservatory of Music Orchestra in Watertown. Her teaching assignments have been at St. Patrick's School in Watertown, at Mater Dei College in Ogdensburg, at Holy Family High School in Massena, and at Immaculate Heart Central High School, where she is presently teaching and chairing the Mathematics Department. She was also Academic Dean of Mater Dei from 1979 to 1984, and taught math courses for Mater Dei at the Akwesasne Indian Reservation. She has taught at IHC from Fall 1965 to 1969, Fall 1974 to 1979, and from Fall 1984 to the present. While at IHC, she has been moderator of the Cavalier Yearbook and has been one of the senior class moderators. Sister graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and earned a Master of Science degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from the University of Dayton in Ohio, where she had a National Science Foundation Grant. In addition, she took graduate courses in computer science at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, and at SUNY Albany. She is a current member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State.
Sister Mary Rita Kempney, SSJ Sister Mary Rita Kempney presently resides at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse in Watertown, where enjoys more time for prayer with her spouse. She is grateful to God for allowing her to live her life as a Sister of St. Joseph, as well as for all the people who have touched her life for these 60 years. Sister continues to keep these many people in prayer. Sister Mary Rita, daughter of Cyril and Hannah Kempney, was born at home, in Lewis County, and grew up as a member of St. James Church, in Carthage. Sister attended Augustinian Academy for grades one through high school. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in Watertown in 1958 and was officially received into the community on June 24, 1959. Sister Mary Rita received a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from SUNY Potsdam, and master’s degree in education administration from SUNY Plattsburgh, and a master’s degree in religious studies from St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sister taught junior high school throughout the diocese and was also principal of various schools in the diocese. In addition, she worked in the diocesan Department of Christian Formation for 10 years. Sister Mary Rita has also been pastoral associate in a number of parishes. For 15 years, Sister was the diocesan Director of Catholic Scouting. She also served on various committees and in various roles for the Sisters of St. Joseph, including vocation director in the 1980s; she began the Lay Associate Program of the Watertown Sisters of St. Joseph in 1994, and was the director of the program until 2005. She also initiated the Advent and Lenten retreats for laity, at the Motherhouse during that time. She was a member of the General Council for the Watertown Sisters of St. Joseph from 2001-05; and a member of the Diocesan Council of Religious for many years, as well.
Sister Mary Stephanie Frenette, OP I was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 11, 1941. My birth name was Barbara Ann, and I am the oldest of three children born to Irene and Arthur Frenette, whose roots were from Mooers Forks, New York and Winooski, Vermont. Both of my parents are deceased. For the first 16 years of my life, I lived in Royal Oak and Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 16, my family moved to Northern New York, and I attended St. Mary's Academy in Champlain for one year. For my senior year of high school, I attended the prep school at Dominican Academy in Fall River, Massachusetts. In 1959, at the age of 18, I decided to enter the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena in Fall River, Massachusetts. During this process, I was given the Religious name of Sister Mary Stephanie. During the next three years of postulancy and novitiate, I also taught at Dominican Academy and began my pursuit of my bachelor’s degree at Providence College during the summers. I graduated with a bachelor's degree. In 1962, I was assigned to St. Peter's School in Plattsburgh. Following this time as a classroom teacher, I also taught religious education in multiple parishes in the North Country, including Altona, Chateaugay, Chazy, Ellenburg, Mooers, Mooers Forks, Sciota and West Chazy. In 1972, I was transferred to teach at St. Bernadette's School in New Haven, Connecticut for five years. I then returned to St. Peter's School in 1977, continuing to teach for many more years in first grade, second grade and Pre-K. In fact, I've actually taught every grade level from Pre-K to grade 12, either in school classroom teaching or in religious/catechetical programs. One of my greatest blessings and contributions to thousands of children was teaching them to read and sharing my love of God in various ways as a teacher. I always asked to take the most difficult and/or challenged children in my classroom. During these years as a teacher, I also was engaged in outreach ministry in the area, visiting and serving some of the most vulnerable and poorest families in the area where I was assigned. After teaching, I also became a home health aide for a few years, until very serious medical issues forced me to retire. Of my 60 years of vowed life, I have spent 52 of them serving the people of the North Country in upstate New York. Along with my congregational responsibilities as infirmarian for many years in various convents, I also served as a Hospice volunteer, Eucharistic minister at St. Peter's, and I have been a multiyear traveler and Leadership Team member of the North Country Mission of Hope, where I still In 1995, along with hundreds of my Dominican Sisters, I became a founding member of my present Congregation, the Dominican Sisters of Hope. In 1998, I had the blessing of being able to go on Sabbatical and attended Berakah, a place of renewal in Pittsfield, New Hampshire. This experience was an incredible blessing in my life. During my years of ministry as a classroom and/or religious education teacher, I taught nine young men from the Diocese of Ogdensburg who became priests: Bishop Terry LaValley, Bishop Douglas Among my many interests, I love to travel, (preferably by car so I can "see more"). I also love to go on Mission to Nicaragua, where I have a strong commitment to the disabled orphans and have also assisted and trained many volunteers in the tasks of kitchen duty. I believe that I am a wonderful listener and I also love hearing from my past students. My greatest and most cherished moments are when I am with children. It is humbling to be celebrating 60 years of vowed commitment as a Dominican Sister and I am
Sister. Doris Durant, OSM, My earthly life began on the Durant Dairy Farm on Saturday, October 22. 1938. I was the oldest of the eight children of Guy and Lucy Durant. My dad was also born on the farm and accepted it from his parents, letting his brothers find their own way of life. I am sure dad was disappointed that I wasn't a I met the Sisters Servants of Mary when I entered first grade at Sacred Heart School in Massena. Sister Collette was a favorite person, so I immediately wanted to be just like her. Our childhood was full of cows, books, cleaning stables, school and field work. Once in a while, we welcomed one of the sisters to the farm. In the summer, with a wagon full of neighbor kids, we would scoot off to Plum Brook for a swim in the water between chores. School, church and Grange functions made our time more interesting. Through it all, my desire to serve the Lord as a Sister Servant of Mary remained unbroken. In August of 1957, at the age of 18, with a bag packed as recommended, I took the two-day plus train ride to Omaha, Nebraska. Living with the sisters at Our Lady of Sorrows Motherhouse, the work, prayer, college and some daily recreation proved the biggest change of my lite. Sister Margarita in 6th grade had already taught me to pray personally to our loving God. Spiritual and scriptural classes from the sisters and Jesuit priests from Creighton University deepened my love of God and opened a new window of faith for me. Also, those first two years prepared me for the ministry of teaching. In August 1958, 16 of us received the habit and a new religious name. I am St. Mary Carmela, of the My eyesight began to fail, and I retired from formal ministry at the age of 75. In 2014, I moved from Kearney, Nebraska to Massena Sacred Heart Convent. I am now enjoying reconnecting with my family, friends, Servite Associates, working with a spiritual enrichment group called Gospel joy, being with the delightful people of Northern New York, the Diocese of Ogdensburg.
Sister Sharon Anne Dalton, SSJ Sister Sharon is a native of Watertown, the daughter of the late John and Gertrude (Polly) Dalton, owners of Dalton's Religious Goods in the Arcade for many years. She graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy and Watertown School of Commerce and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph upon graduating from high school. Sister re-entered the Sisters of St. Joseph community in 1968 and received her bachelor’s degree from Villa Marie College in Erie, Pennsylvania, and her master’s degree in Education from Niagara University in Niagara Falls. Sister Sharon's teaching career includes the following: St. Anthony's in Watertown, St. John the Evangelist in Morristown, St. Andrew's in Norwood, Sacred Heart in Watertown, St. James in Gouverneur, and St. Augustine's in Peru, where she served as both principal and first grade teacher for six years. In 1986 Sister Sharon moved to Ticonderoga to become the principal of St. Mary's School. This year marks the beginning of her 34th year in this position. While serving as principal, Sister Sharon has served on the Watertown Catechetical Board and the Education Board of the Catholic Administrators Association of New York State. With a total of 40 years as an elementary school principal in the Diocese of Ogdensburg, her friends ask, "How did she do that?" Her answer is "By the many graces God has given me and the people He has sent to help me along the way. God bless every one of you." Sister celebrates 50 years as a Sister of St. Joseph this year.
Sister Constance Marie Sylver, SSJ Sister Constance Marie Sylver, daughter of the late Clarence and Marjorie Sylver, was born and raised in Carthage. She has four siblings, Stephen, Deborra, Alan and Susan. Sister attended Augustinian Academy and graduated from there in 1968. Following her graduation, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in September 1968 and received the habit in June 1969. She professed her first vows in 1971 and her final vows in 1977. Sister studied music at Immaculata College in Pennsylvania and at Ithaca College, where she received her master's Degree in music education. Sister has been actively engaged in music in the schools where she has taught in the parishes where she has served. Sister Constance's initial ministry was teaching, and she taught in many schools throughout the diocese. She also taught at Wadhams Hall Seminary College. When the college closed, Sister became a pastoral associate in Lake Clear and then went on to be pastoral associate in Tupper Lake and Madrid, as well. Now, she is once again involved in teaching and does the Title I Reading Program for grades four through six at Immaculate Heart Elementary School. She is also the coordinator for religious education at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in Watertown. Sister has been actively involved in vocation ministry both in the Serra Club and as Formation director for her community. Sister Constance also served on the Council for Religious for a number of years. Sister loves working with children and parishioners and looks forward to many more years of
Sister Ronald Marie Hax, SSJ Sister Ronald Marie was born Patricia Anne Hax, the daughter of the late Howard and Elizabeth Hax. The family lived in Redwood, New York, where she attended school and received the sacraments at St. Francis Xavier along with her sister, Linda (deceased) and brother, Ronald (now residing in Thomaston, She graduated from Alexandria Central School, earned an associate’s degree in business administration from SUNY Canton, a bachelor's degree in education from Villa Maria College, Erie, Pennsylvania, and a master's degree in Education from Niagara University. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on Sept. 7, 1968, was received into the novitiate on June 20, 1969, and made her first profession on Aug. 22, 1971. Sister Ronald's final profession was made on Aug. 23, 1975 at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse in Watertown. For some 42 years (from 1970-2012), Sister Ronald taught elementary grades in schools throughout the diocese of Ogdensburg. The assignments included Sacred Heart in Watertown, Bishop Smith Memorial in Malone, St. Augustine's in Peru, St. Agnes in lake Placid, Augustinian Academy in Carthage, Holy Family in Watertown, and St. Joseph's in Massena. In 1981, Sister Ronald moved to Gouverneur. Here she served as a teacher at St. James School until 2006 and as the school's principal from 1983 until 2008. While serving as a principal, Sister was a member of the National Catholic Education Association and the Catholic School Administration Association of New York State. After 26 years as a principal, Sister Ronald retired from serving in this capacity and left Gouverneur to join the teaching staff at St. Mary's School in Ticonderoga, working there for the next four years. In 2012 Sister Ronald returned to the Motherhouse to become part of the Prayer Apostolate. Upon Sister Ronald's retirement she stated "I will always be grateful to God for the many blessings I Sister Ronald's first love is her community of Sisters of St. Joseph and her second love was teaching first
Sister Rosie Soosairaj, SCC (Sisters of the Cross, Watertown, NY) "In everything God work for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8: 28) As I look back at those years of becoming a religious and religious life in community, ministry in India and in USA, I am ever so grateful for the 25 years of religious life and for what brought me to this point in my life. I was born and raised in India by a loving mother and father. However, after 12 years of being barren, my mother finally gave birth to me. In India, to be barren is a disgrace, but my mother prayed to our Blessed Mother for a child with the firm faith and trust, and she promised the Blessed Mother she would dedicate her first child to God if she was blessed with a child. Blessed Mother heeded her intercession and blessed her with two children. Three years after my birth, my brother was born. My younger brother and I were raised with a compassionate caring mother and a work-driven father, who was dedicated to providing for his family. My parents stressed having a Catholic education, an education that would teach us to develop social and intellectual skills, as well as interactive and good leadership skills. Therefore, my formative years in Catholic school fostered in me a desire to give to God a religious life of service by entering a religious community. As a young person, I still was not sure I was led to a life of religious dedication, but through prayer and God's grace, I finally decided to offer my life for God in his service, and I entered the religious order of Sisters of the Cross in 1991, taking my first vows on May 18, 1994. While still in India, I was encouraged by my religious superiors to study nursing. I received a wide range of nursing opportunities within my local community. In nursing school, I experienced numerous phases of medicine, which broadened by medical knowledge and gave me a strong desire to serve God's people in their most painful and difficult times. My nursing experience and my involvement with patients prompted me to serve as a missionary in the United States. Our religious order accepted the request from the Diocese of Syracuse to serve the parishes in Norwich, New York. Our first mission in the U.S. began amidst the loving and caring people of Norwich. Four sisters were involved in our first mission, each in their own assigned position. I worked at Chenango Memorial Hospital, a small 100 bed hospital, while I continued to work toward a Bachelor of Science Program at State University of New York, Utica. My next professional placement was in Watertown. There, I worked at Samaritan Medical Center in the emergency room. This emergency room experience just increased my motivation to participate in the nurse practitioner program. I am ever so grateful to God for this opportunity in serving people who are suffering from physical illness as well as spiritual illness. I came from a small town in India and into a very different culture in the U.S., but I was able to accomplish my dream of serving God, and in showing those who are unable to see what God holds for them. My religious life has truly been enriched by God's people, who opened their hearts to me as I encountered them in my ministry. So, in turn, I will continue to dedicate my life to helping the discouraged and marginalized in their efforts to have a physical "sick free" life and find God. I have my parents to thank for all they sacrificed so I can fulfill my mother's promise to our Blessed Mother.
|
||||
|
|||||||||
