Babyak

60 Years

Sister Cynthia Marie Babyak is celebrating her continued commitment to her vows as a Felician Sister.

Born to parents Helen and George, she had one sister and grew up in Garfield in Bergen County, where she attended Most Holy Name School at her parish. She attended Immaculate Conception High School in Lodi, which was where she first encountered the Felician Sisters, officially known as the Congregation of Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Assisi.

She did not initially like the idea of attending an all-girls high school, but her mother insisted that if she was accepted, she would attend.

“That was all in God’s plans, because I never would have known about the Felician Sisters had that not happened,” Sister Cynthia said.

When she graduated from high school, she joined the Felician Sisters. After one year as a postulant and one year as a novice, she made her first vows. At the time, the custom was for Felician Sisters to choose a new name when they professed vows, so she chose George, which was her dad’s name.

“Dad was not a happy camper about my going into the religious life, and I wanted to endear him the whole idea,” she recalled.

After the Second Vatican Council, Felician Sisters were encouraged to return to their baptismal names, so she switched back to using Cynthia. By that time, her father had “warmed up” to the idea of her being in religious life.

During postulancy and novitiate, she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Felician University, Rutherford. Later, she earned master’s degrees in secondary education, campus ministry, and religious education at LaSalle University, Philadelphia, and a certification in educational administration at St. Peter’s University, Jersey City. She holds many certifications in math and science, as well.

Her first ministry as a religious sister was teaching second grade at St. Stanislaus Kostka, Sayreville. Next, she worked in the Archdiocese of Newark, where she taught middle school science at St. Michael’s School in Lyndhurst. In Dover, Del., she taught high school science, math, and religion. She also started a liturgy club with the high school students.

In 1997, she began working at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Edison, initially teaching math, religion, and chemistry. In time, she was asked to become the campus minister.

In 1987, she became the principal of her alma mater, Immaculate Conception High School, Lodi.

In 1992, she returned to St. Thomas Aquinas as a math teacher and later resumed the role of campus minister.

“I loved teaching math, because when that ‘aha’ moment comes into a child’s mind, it’s a very satisfying moment for a teacher,” Sister Cynthia said.

Being a campus minister was also a rewarding experience for her.

“All the service projects that we did in campus ministry, all the retreats… It’s the people that become the favorite parts of your life,” she said. Sister Cynthia said that she learned through the years that it is important to maintain your own spiritual life in order to minister to others.

Two of her favorite personal devotions are praying the rosary, and praying the chaplet of Blessed Mary Angela, founder of the Felician Sisters, for whom Sister Cynthia developed a devotion to after joining the community.

Sister Cynthia emphasized the importance of choosing to recommit to following her vows each day.

“I need to get up every day and renew the commitment that I made,” she said.

“Life continues and so you need to recommit yourself every day, first with God, with yourself, with your community and the people that I serve.”

Sister Cynthia retired from her role as campus minister at St. Thomas Aquinas High, Edison, in 2022. She has been volunteering with an organization that helps chronically ill children, and has also taken up crocheting, a hobby she had not had time for while working. She has made ten baby blankets so far, and given each to someone who needed the blanket for their baby. Teresa Murphy

“I was honored to be a witness to the love of Jesus and the charism of the Sisters of Christian Charity in those times and places. It was a privilege to be able to live the beatitudes by serving so many of God’s people.’

Christian Charity Sister Mary Leonard Cooke 60 YEARS

Who would have guessed that the mature religious who is the parish secretary at Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Monroe Township, plays the trumpet? Yes, Christian Charity Sister Mary Leonard Cooke is a musician that accompanies groups at Masses and special occasions with a truly unique contribution to each event. Perhaps you saw her perform in a quartet this past Christmas for the women of the Nativity at their party in the church hall?

“That was unique in all the world,” she exclaimed.

Years ago, while serving the Jersey City community, she even taught trumpet lessons to three pupils and also had a sewing club with the eighth-grade girls. Her skill as a seamstress was taught by her mother, while a child growing up in Philadelphia. Naturally then, upon entering at the convent more than 60 years ago, her responsibility was sewing the habits and veils for the young women who were joining the community as novices and making their first profession as Sisters of Christian Charity. She still volunteers her time to sew for the religious. That is, in-between her time at the parish, which keeps her busy four days a week.

Over the past six decades, she has also been a homemaker and cook at convents in New Jersey and Pennsylvania; an administrative assistant to the President at Pius X High School, Bangor, Pa., where she helped set up a new convent, participated in marketing and development, and planned spiritual activities such as retreats and Kairos adventures of discipleship for students; and as treasurer of the Motherhouse in Mendham supervising employees for the maintenance of the building and grounds. The site was home to Provincial administration, initial formation, business and development offices, and a religious-formation college for the 85 individuals living there.

“Everything I did, I loved,” she said about her years of service.

It was as a youngster in grade school that she was introduced to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters. Her parents encouraged her to spend time with them, which led to an active interest in finding out more before choosing a consecrated life. Later, meeting the Sisters of Christian Charity and admiring the enthusiasm and joy they exuded for all of her fellow high school students, she began discerning toward becoming a religious. In 1962, after graduating from West Philadelphia Catholic High School, she entered the convent – much to the delight of her supportive parents.

“I was extremely homesick, but that’s what I wanted,” she remembered about moving two hours away from her family at the age of 18 to begin her life in the Novitiate.

“The first year was a challenge for me but after that it became much easier.”

Her final profession ceremony was in 1971. For girls considering this path, her advice is clear.

“They should pray and discern. Listen to their heart, to the Holy Spirit,” she said. “Give it a try. You never know!”

She described her calling succinctly in an e-mail message:

“During my life as a Sister of Christian Charity, I have been called to use the gifts God has given me in many different ways and in many different places. I was honored to be a witness to the love of Jesus and the charism of the Sisters of Christian Charity in those times and places. It was a privilege to be able to live the beatitudes by serving so many of God’s people.”

With no plans to retire, Sister Mary Leonard will continue in her parish role in support of the Church ministries, handling Mass cards for loved ones, chatting with parishioners who stop by the office, and carrying out other assigned diocesan duties.

“As long as I can keep going, I’m going to keep going,” she said.

Debra Stevko Miller

“The most important thing is that it has been 60 blessed years meeting wonderful people, living with wonderful sisters, mentors. That’s why I’m celebrating on my 60th – the people that I met in my ministries. They taught me things and supported me. That’s what I want to celebrate, too.”

60 Years

Sister Rosemary Hudak says she did not get the calling for religious life until she was inspired by the Sisters of Mercy as a student at St. Mary’s High School, Perth Amboy, where she was born and raised. “I had a nudging from God that wouldn’t quit [for a call to religious life],” Sister Rosemary said.

After high school, she worked three years as a bank teller at Perth Amboy Savings and Loan, Perth Amboy. However, while she was happy at her job she sought direction in her life from God through prayer while attending daily Mass at Holy Triinity Church, Perth Amboy.

“I was raised in a family where faith was nourished, but I was going to get married and have all these kids,” she said. “It just was this… strong feeling, pull I guess [to become a religious.]

“In those days, when you had a calling from God you didn’t ignore it,” noting that she entered the convent in 1963 at the age of 20.

Sister Rosemary earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Georgian Court College, now University, Lakewood, and was later certified as a bereavement counselor and chaplain. Her first assignments were teaching at various elementary schools for 10 years in the Diocese of Trenton.

Sister Rosemary’s first administrative post was at Bayshore Senior Center, Keansburg, where she was assigned for several years as the center’s assistant administrator. She then worked for four years as a chaplain at Saint Cabrini Nursing Home, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., while living with the Sisters of Mercy community in Yonkers, NY. “That was a wonderful experience for me. I loved it,” Sister Rosemary said.

When she returned to New Jersey, she spent 10 years ministering at St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, and then took a sabbatical before she started working at Meridian Hospice, Wall, as their bereavement coordinator for three years.

Sister Hudak then returned to the Bayshore Senior Center for several years as its program director.

Next, she was asked to take an assignment at the McAuley Hall Healthcare Center, Watchung, as its life coordinator. McAuley is a 74-bed state licensed nursing facility sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy.

“I was drawn to it [McAuley Hall Healthcare Center] because it was pastoral ministry with my sisters. It was a hard move because I went from living in this lovely house [and small community of sisters] that they [the sisters] still have in Bradley Beach,” to a large community with 40 sisters at Mount St. Mary Academy, Sister Hudak said.

Now retired, Sister Rosemary lives in residence with the Sisters of Mercy, which is part of the Mount Saint Mary Academy building. She said her days are kept busy visiting sisters at the health center and doing other chores as needed to help her Sisters of Mercy community.

“Whatever little things I can do for others I do,” she said.

Sister Rosemary said she would encourage those considering religious life to “just keep an open heart and listen to where God is leading you because even when you become a sister you’ll still want to go where God is really leading you.”

Sister Rosemary said she looks back fondly on her vocation to consecrated life.

“The most important thing is that it has been 60 blessed years meeting wonderful people, living with wonderful sisters, mentors. That’s why I’m celebrating on my 60th – the people that I met in my ministries,” Sister Rosemary said. “They taught me things and supported me. That’s what I want to celebrate, too.”

Paul J. Peyton

“I loved working with children, but felt a call to start a house of prayer, which became Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer, on the grounds of Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung.”

60 Years

Mercy Sister Mary Jo Kearns said that being a religious sister for 60 years has been a blessing. “I feel so blessed and am so grateful for my vocation and all the people I have met in religious life and in my ministries,” she said.

Born in Cedar Grove to parents Josephine and Joseph and raised in Sea Girt, she was one of a family of five children. The family worshipped at St. Mark’s Parish, Sea Girt, and she attended St. Catharine’s School, Spring Lake, and St. Rose High School, Belmar. At both schools, she was taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

The Sisters of St. Joseph “were a great influence in my call to religious life,” Sister Mary Jo recalled. “But my family, especially my mother, was so supportive as well.”

“Although I loved the Sisters of St. Joseph, my mother encouraged me to enter the Sisters of Mercy.”

Her mother said the Sisters of Mercy were a less-strict community and ministered only in New Jersey, whereas the Sisters of St. Joseph had missions in other states to which she might be sent, and Josephine Kearns wanted her daughter to continue to live nearby. Also, Sister Mary Jo’s aunt was in the Sisters of Mercy at the time.

“It was all in God’s providence,” Sister Mary Jo said.

After high school, Sister Mary Jo joined the Sisters of Mercy and began earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Georgian Court University, Lakewood. She also earned a master’s degree in religious studies from Providence College in Rhode Island. She holds certifications in spiritual direction, retreat direction, and grief counseling.

“My family was very supportive of my decision to become a religious sister,” she said. “However, my mother knew me well, and was concerned I’d be too afraid to speak up if I wanted to return home. So, knowing that my letters were read before they were sent out, she told me to leave off the periods at the end of the sentences if I wanted to come home, and she’d come up and get me! Needless to say, I always included those periods.”

For eight years, she taught fourth through eighth grades at schools in the dioceses of Trenton and Metuchen: St. Matthew the Apostle, Edison; St. Mary,

Alpha; St. Catherine, East Keansburg; and St. James, Red Bank.

“I loved working with children, but felt a call to start a house of prayer, which became Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer, on the grounds of Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung,” she said.

In 1976, along with three other Sisters of Mercy, she helped to establish the Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer, which provides retreats, spirituality programs, and a sacred space to connect with God. She has ministered there ever since, and enjoyed offering retreats on a variety of themes, including grief recovery.

In recent years, she has begun working at the house of prayer part-time and now works full-time as Sister Life Minister at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, a licensed nursing center also in Watchung.

“I am very blessed with the education and experiences I’ve been afforded,” she said. “I loved teaching grade school, and I have also loved my ministry at the House of Prayer giving spiritual direction, retreats, and spiritual programs. In the past few years, ministering as Sister Life Minister at McAuley Hall Health Care Center has also been so rewarding for me.”

The most rewarding aspect of being a religious sister has been “interacting with people,” she said.

“I’ve lived with many holy women religious and have met so many wonderful people in the various places I’ve ministered,” she added.

Her only wish would be to have more time in each day.

“Probably the greatest challenge I still face is being satisfied with the time I’m given each day,” she said. “I keep wishing I had more of it so I could accomplish more.”

She encouraged anyone interested in religious life to follow their calling.

“If you feel a call to religious life, pray about it and follow your dream,” she said. “It can be a most rewarding and fulfilling life.”

Teresa Murphy

Mercy Sister Magaret Ann Noone 60 YEARS

Mercy Sister Margaret Ann Noone has had two opportunities to serve the Lord – as a Sister of Charity and then as a Sister of Mercy. “I was so blessed by God that I had two chances,” she said.

Born in Jersey City, Sister Margaret Ann was the youngest of four children, all born one year apart. She described her parents as very spiritual people and very active in her home parish, St. Patrick, Jersey City. The Family worshiped at Mass every Sunday, attended novenas and watched Bishop Fulton J. Sheen’s TV show – “Life is Worth Living.”

Sister Margaret Ann is most thankful for her mother and father. “I never had to read a book on love. I lived with love my whole life. That is how my parents were. They were love personified,” she said.

She attended St. Patrick School and after graduating from the Academy of St. Aloysius, Jersey City, she earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Georgian Court College, now University, Lakewood, and a master’s degree in education with advanced specialization in supervision at Kean University, Union. She also graduated from the Family Learning Institute for Counseling, Hudson County.

Inspiration for seeking a vocation in consecrate life came during a retreat in her junior year in high school. “It just came to me that God wanted me to be a nun. I was a basketball player and this decision was surprising to my family and friends but they were very supportive,” she said.

She chose the Sisters of Charity because she was educated by the community in elementary school and high school.

She entered the Sisters of Charity at 17, professed her vows at Convent Station in 1954 and remained with the community for six and a half years.

After leaving the Sisters of Charity, she taught in Catholic schools for eight years before entering the Sisters of Mercy. In 1969, she professed her final vows at Mount St. Mary, Watchung and has been with that community for 54 years.

Her assignments included: teaching at St. James School, Red Bank; serving as principal at now-closed St. Mary School, Perth Amboy; and then served as director of Vocations for the order. Following that, assignment she became a parish minister at Holy Family, Union Beach. From there, she became the co-director of The Gathering Place Retreat House, Middletown.

After retiring in 2011, she lived in Mays Landing where she did some private counseling. She is now living at Mount Saint Mary, Watchung, where she takes pride in her responsibility of decorating the main foyer and the elevator for the different seasons. “I enjoy this very much. I want it to be pretty for people when they come in.” She also spends time visiting the sick Sisters who live at McAuley Hall.

As for what advice she would give to someone considering a vocation in consecrated life, she said, “Be yourself, reach out to others, be kind and loving and you will be good at whatever you are called to be. If you are a kind, helpful and loving person you will be a good Sister.”

Looking ahead she said, “I am young at heart and I am looking forward to each day and making it the best day that I can. I feel so blessed that God chose me for this vocation, twice.”

Karen Corpora

“I believe that as a Catholic school principal for 38 years, my greatest accomplishment was being able to surround myself with faculty and staff who were people of true faith and who shared the values that allowed us to provide a recognizably strong Catholic identity in the school.”

60 Years

Reflecting on her six decades as a religious, Felician Sister Rebecca Piatek said, “My heart is filled with gratitude for the many blessings and graces I have received as a Felician Sister and for all who have walked and who continue to walk this journey with me, especially my dearest family and friends,” she said. “I am so grateful for what I have received, what I am receiving, and those who work with me.”

As the only girl and youngest of four children, the early years attending religious education classes at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Sayreville, gave Sister Rebecca a foundation for her love of the consecrated life through interactions with the Felician Sisters.

The Sisters also facilitated the parish’s Children of Mary Sodality lay ministry, of which Sister Rebecca was a member, and were a distinct and reverent presence at parish devotions to the Blessed Sacrament where she often spent time. These connections piqued her interest to learn more about the order’s heritage, charism, and foundress, Blessed Mary Angela Truzkowska, a Polish religious who followed the values and ideas of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Felix of Cantalice.

The joy and dedication to God and the Blessed Mother exuded from the Felician Sisters was so awe-inspiring to the 18-year-old she fully immersed herself into the formation process to become more like them. Her parents and three brothers wholly supported her decision to enter the convent after high school. They continued their love and support until God called each of them home.

With a degree from Felician College, now University, and post-graduate studies at Villanova University (Pa.). Sister Rebecca taught religion and language arts to sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students at Catholic schools in Camden, Clifton, Passaic, Spotswood, and McLean, Va., before transitioning into the role of principal; first at St. Stephen Parish School, Perth Amboy then, upon consolidation, Perth Amboy Catholic School for nearly four decades.

“I believe that as a Catholic school principal for 38 years, my greatest accomplishment was being able to surround myself with faculty and staff who were people of true faith and who shared the values that allowed us to provide a recognizably strong Catholic identity in the school,” she stated.

Sister Rebecca has received accolades for her work including: Polish World American Citizen of the Year; diocesan Regina Nostra Award and Outstanding Educator of the Year; a resolution from the Perth Amboy City Council; the Knights of Columbus’ Principal’s Award; Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and a New Jersey Joint Legislative Resolution.

Upon “graduating,” as she calls it, from serving as principal in 2018, she accepted a position as pastoral associate at St. Helena Parish, Edison, and staff assistant at its elementary school.

“I knew that I still wanted to be involved in education and be open to parish work,” she said of the “double blessing” she enjoys each day: that of teaching religion once a week to students of different grade levels in the school as well as being privileged to minister to the parish and its parishioners.

“I’ve always loved children,” she said. “I’m happy to still have a hand in forming the hearts of the children and hopefully helping them, by example and in instruction, also to come to know Jesus better and to love him more.”

To relax away from work, she is a true enigmatologist.

“I’m really a word person,” she said. “So, when I have free time I like to do puzzles, jumbles, cryptograms – those kinds of things that entertain my brain.”

For those discerning a path of consecrated life, prayers to the Holy Spirit as well as becoming acquainted with religious communities is beneficial to exploring life as a religious according to Sister Rebecca, who hopes that she has imparted that same joy as a Felician Sister to the youth she has encountered during her six decades within the Church.

Debra Stevko Miller

charist, was chosen as a reminder of the importance of the Eucharist in our lives and as an invitation to be open to its transformative powers of grace and virtue that prompt us to respond as missionary disciples.

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