Lives of Faith Religious MILESTONES

BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

On July 16, Sister Marcia Hall returned to her native Trenton and together with family, friends, colleagues and fellow parishioners, commemorated her 25th jubilee as a member of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first U.S.-based religious order of black women that was founded by the now-Venerable Mother Mary Lange in 1829.

A Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated in Holy Cross Church, Trenton, part of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, where Sister Marcia renewed her vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

“My life has radically changed since I’ve been in the convent,” said Sister Marcia.

“They certainly nurtured my faith and the traditions that I had learned there have held me in good stead,” she said.

Sister Marcia’s vocation story began as a student in Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd Grammar School, Trenton, where she was inspired by the Oblate Sisters of Providence who staffed the school. Her pursuit of entering religious life, however, did special education program in St. Patrick School, Jersey City.

We in the Diocese of Trenton are blessed with the vocations of religious men and women from various orders, who have carried out years of selfless service in our parishes, schools, healthcare institutions and charitable programs, as well as their steadfast lives of prayer. This listing joyfully recognizes our gratitude to them for their gift and presence in our lives.

70 years

Filippini Sister Dolores Bianchi

Sister Dolores Bianchi celebrates the 70th anniversary of her novitiate as a member of the Religious Teachers Filippini.

Sister Dolores, who currently serves as an assistant in St. Joseph by the Sea Retreat House, South Mantoloking, was born in June, 1937, in Jersey City. She grew up in Union City near St. Anthony of Padua Parish where the Religious Teachers Filippini ministered. She entered the community’s postulancy Sept. 2, 1951; became a novice Aug. 17, 1953, and made her perpetual oblation Aug. 26, 1956.

Sister Dolores holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Seton Hall University, South Orange, as well as special education certification from Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, Wis., and Jersey City State College, Jersey City.

Sister Dolores’ professional services have included teaching kindergarten, first and second grades before moving into what would be the hallmark of her ministry – special education.

For 25 years, she taught special education through the Catholic Community Services of Hudson and Essex Counties, and she also served as principal of the

For more than 15 years, her ministry through Catholic Community Services consisted of preventing child substance abuse. She eventually served as program supervisor of the Catholic School Substance Abuse Prevention Program. She was also appointed superior of Villa Walsh, the motherhouse of the Religious Teachers Filippini in Morristown, a post she served for three years.

Since 2012, Sister Dolores has been on staff at St. Joseph by the Sea where she enjoys encouraging retreatants in deepening their relationship with the Lord.

Sister Mary Patrice Feeney

Franciscan

Sister Mary Patrice Feeney, who is celebrating her 70th anniversary, was born Imelda Bernadette Feeney in Ireland, where her family attended St. Joseph Parish, Sligo. She entered the order of St. Francis of Philadelphia Sisters in September, 1949. She made her first profession of vows in August, 1953, and made her final vows in August, 1959.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English from Neumann University, Aston, Pa., in 1972, and a Master of Arts degree in elementary education in 1982 from Villanova University, Villanova, Pa.

Sister Mary Patrice’s ministry in the Diocese of Trenton included serving as pastoral associate from 1991-1997 in St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold. Over the course of her ministry, she was awarded the George Washington Medal of Honor from Valley Forge for the Shelter Freedoms Foundation; and the Regina Nostra Award for outstanding service to the Diocese of Metuchen.

Sister Mary Patrice is currently a volunteer in Assisi House, Aston, Pa.

Sister Eileen Hennessy

Franciscan Sister Eileen Hennessy, formerly Sister Felicine Marie, who is celebrating her 70th anniversary, grew up in Ireland, and attended St. Lactain Parish, Kilkenny. She entered the order of St. Francis of Philadelphia Sisters in January, 1951. She made her first profession of vows in August, 1953, and made her final vows in August, 1959.

Sister Eileen earned a certificate of training in radiologic technology from St. Francis Hospital, Trenton, in 1959. In 1977 she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Neumann University, Aston, Pa.

Her ministry in the Diocese of Trenton included teaching in Immaculate Conception School, Trenton, from 1953-1957. She is currently assigned to the health office of Our Lady of the Angels Convent, Aston, Pa.

Sister Elizabeth O’Hara

Mercy Sister Elizabeth O’Hara, who is celebrating her 70th anniversary, was born in Philadelphia in 1935 to Michael and Catherine (Callahan) O’Hara. She entered the Sisters of Mercy of New Jersey Sept. 24, 1953; made her first profession Aug. 17, 1956, and her final profession Aug. 17, 1959. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry from Georgian Court College (now University); a Master of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and a doctorate in chemistry from Rutgers University, New Brunswick.

After professing her vows Sister

Elizabeth spent more than 20 years in the ministry of education in grammar schools and high schools in the Dioceses of Trenton and Camden, followed by two terms as an instructor in Georgian Court College.

In 1976, she began working in parish ministry, serving on the pastoral team in two parishes including St. Robert Bellarmine (now Co-Cathedral), Freehold. She also served three years as director of religious education in St. Peter Parish, Riverside, which is now part of Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Beverly.

She also served on the regional leadership team for her community as well as the support staff for Epiphany House, Asbury Park; was a case manager for Catholic Charities in the Metuchen Diocese, and was director of archives for the Sisters of Mercy of New Jersey.

Sister Mary Agnes Walsh

Franciscan Sister Mary Agnes Walsh, formerly Sister Philomene, who is celebrating her 70th anniversary, was born in New York City and grew up in Dromtariffe, County Cork, Ireland. She entered the order of St. Francis of Philadelphia Sisters in September, 1948. She made her first profession of vows in August, 1953, and made her final vows in August, 1959.

Sister Mary Agnes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Neuman University, Aston, Pa., in 1970, and a Master of Arts degree in pastoral counseling from Emmanuel College, Boston, in 1982.

Her ministry in the Diocese of Trenton included teaching in St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold, 1970-1973, and in St. Raphael School, Trenton, for nine months in 1982. She ministered in St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown, from 1989-1993; in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, from 1993-1995; and in Holy Angels Parish, Trenton, for six months in 1995.

Sister Mary Agnes is currently an associate in the Franciscan Spiritual Center, Aston, Pa.

Religious Anniversary

65 years

Filippini Sister Lillian Picco

Filippini Sister

Lillian Picco, who marks the 65th anniversary of her novitiate as a member of the Religious Teachers Filippini this year, has a lengthy history with the Trenton Diocese.

Born in Jersey City in December 1938 and raised in North Bergen and Union City, she entered the postulancy of the Religious Teachers Filippini July 16, 1957; became a novice Aug. 31, 1958, and made her perpetual oblation Aug. 27, 1961. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Seton Hall University, South Orange, and certification as a teacher of art for grades K-12.

Sister Lillian’s professional services include teaching in elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Newark from 1959-1973, before arriving to the Diocese of Trenton to teach eighth grade in Holy Innocents School, Neptune, from 1973-1978.

From 1978 until she retired due to declining health in 2014, Sister Lillian ministered in Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing, where she served in the high school art department. She is best remembered for her tireless work in the theatre program and the costumes and sets created under her guidance. In 1994, she earned a second-place trophy in a national contest for her theatrical set of “Brigadoon.”

Sister Lillian currently resides in St. Joseph Hall Infirmary at Villa Walsh, Morristown.

Religious Anniversary

60 years

Sister Carole MacKenthun

Mercy Sister Carole MacKenthun, who is celebrating her 60th anniversary, was born in Hamilton Township. She attended St. Anthony Grammar School, Hamilton, and Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville. After graduating from Georgian Court College, (now Georgian Court University), Lakewood, she received her master’s degree in elementary education at Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), Ewing.

Sister Carole made her first profession of vows Aug. 17, 1966, and her final profession Aug. 15, 1971. She taught for 55 years in schools of the Metuchen and Trenton Dioceses, including St. Mary Academy, Lakewood; St. Mary School, Perth Amboy; Sacred Heart School, South Plainfield, and St. Matthias School, Somerset. She has been a teacher and spirituality coordinator at St. Catharine School, Spring Lake, for 30 years.

Sister Carole is the author of more than 20 religious education and language arts books for children and teachers. She also publishes yearly books on her spiritual reflections entitled “Meditations on Ice.” She has received numerous national and local awards for teaching, including Outstanding Educator Award from the Diocese of Metuchen and Diocese of Trenton, the Miriam Farrell Award for Distinguished Teaching from the NCEA, the Guardian of Life Award and the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award for service to the Girl Scouts.

In 2001 Sister Carole started a Mission of Mercy Organization raising funds for the sick and orphans in Uganda. She has traveled to Uganda for 12 years during the summer months to bring aid and financial support for education and health care services to the people there, with the active support of St. Catharine School and the parishioners of St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish and other benefactors.

Sister Carole hosts a children’s Rosary prayer group in St. Catharine School and also an adult Rosary prayer group at St. Catharine Convent.

Filippini Sister Brunilda Ramos

Filippini Sister Brunilda Ramos, who is celebrating her 60th anniversary, and is the current director of St. Joseph by the Sea Retreat House, South Mantoloking, was born in May, 1947, in the Harlem section of New York City. She entered the postulancy of the Religious Teachers Filippini Dec. 27, 1960; became a novice Aug. 25, 1963; made her temporary oblation Aug. 28, 1966, and her perpetual oblation Sept. 7, 1969.

Sister Brunilda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Seton Hall University, South Orange. Her professional services include teaching for 28 years in Catholic schools in the Archdioceses of Newark and New York. She spent 36 years in the field of addiction services, earning certifications as an addiction prevention specialist and certified drug and alcohol counselor.

Her experiences include detox/case manager in St. Francis Hospital, Jersey City; senior counselor in St. Michael’s Medical Center, Newark; counselor with the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Program for men on parole/probation; ministry to women in prison through the Ocean County Department of Corrections; and retreat director for Matt Talbot Retreats for men and women in San Alfonso Retreat House, West End.

Since 2007, Sister Brunilda has served as director of St. Joseph by the Sea Retreat House, where in addition to nurturing the spiritual lives of the retreatants, she is responsible for the day-to-day oper- ations, management and maintenance of the retreat house. Sister Brunilda oversaw the rebuilding of the retreat facility after Hurricane Sandy made a direct hit on the area in October 2012.

Father George Sabol, OFM, Conv.

Father George Sabol celebrates the 60th anniversary of his first profession of vows as a member of the Conventual Franciscan community.

Father George was born Aug. 3, 1944, in Trenton. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from St. Hyacinth College and Seminary, which he earned in 1967; a master’s degree in counseling from Rider University, Lawrenceville, which he was awarded in 1989, and a doctorate in pastoral counseling from the Loyola University of Maryland in 1996.

Since his first profession of vows on Aug. 30, 1963, and his ordination as a priest in 1971, Father Sabol has served in numerous ministries including a mission assignment in Brazil; parish assignments as parochial vicar and pastor in St. Bonaventure, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Seaside Heights, now part of St. Junipero Serra Parish, Seaside Park; St. Peter Parish, Riverside, now part of Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Beverly; St. Catharine of Siena Parish, Seaside Park, now part of St. Junipero Serra Parish; St. John Vianney Parish, Staten Island, N.Y., and St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Parish, Baltimore. He currently provides pastoral assistance in St. Junipero Serra Parish, Seaside Park.

Sister Elizabeth Margaret Tierney

Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth Margaret Tierney, formerly Sister James Margaret, was born in Glen Ridge. She graduated from Immaculate Conception High School, Montclair; entered religious life Sept. 6, 1963, and made her final profession of vows May 23, 1971.

Sister Elizabeth Margaret earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary educa- tion from The College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown, and a master of divinity degree in pastoral ministry from Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington.

During the course of her ministry, Sister Elizabeth Margaret taught in Immaculate Conception School, Montclair, and St. Peter School, Belleville. Her work as a pastoral care minister includes 19 years in Immaculate Conception Parish, Montclair, and then her current assignment as director of pastoral care in St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake, where she’s served for the past 22 years. Her work in pastoral care includes preparing funeral liturgies for the parish and training extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion for area assisted living facilities, hospitals and the homebound.

Mercy Sister Linda Travostino

Mercy Sister Linda Travostino, who is celebrating her 60th anniversary, was born in Perth Amboy in 1945 and grew up in Woodbridge. She attended St. James Grammar School, Woodbridge, and St. Mary High School, Perth Amboy.

She entered the Sisters of Mercy in September 1963, made her first vows in 1966 and her final vows in 1971.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in French from Georgian Court University, Lakewood, and a master’s degree in French from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Her teaching assignments included teaching world languages in schools of the Dioceses of Trenton and Metuchen: Holy Spirit High School, Absecon; Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, and St. Mary Academy, Lakewood. She also taught in Georgian Court University and was department chair for World Languages in St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel.