Sister Jean Snyder, Maryknoll Sister for 60 Years

Posted on January 31, 2017

Sister Jean Snyder, Maryknoll Sister for 60 Years
Sister Jean Snyder, M.M. died on January 28, 2017 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, in Maryknoll, NY. She was 91 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 60 years.

She was born in Reading, PA, August 3, 1925 to Alice M. (Schwartz) and Effinger L. Snyder. Both parents have predeceased her. She has one step-sister, Jean.

In 1943, Jean graduated from Reading High School in Reading, PA and then studied at Bucknell University from 1943-1946 earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology Degree. From 1946-1947, she attended George E. Geisinger Memorial Hospital, Danville, PA where she earned a Medical Technician Training Certificate. In 1966, she took courses at Mt. Sinai Hospital, in Chicago, IL. From 1981-1982, she took additional courses at Maryknoll School of Theology, in Maryknoll, NY.

Jean worked at Reading Hospital in Reading, PA for nine years before entering the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate at the Maryknoll Sisters Center on September 2, 1956. She entered from Sacred Heart Parish in West Reading, the diocese of Allentown, PA. At her Reception of the Habit she received the religious name Sister Rose Benedict. She made her First Profession of Vows on June 24, 1959 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center and her Final Vows on June 24, 1965 in Valley Park, MO.

From 1960-1966, Sr. Jean was assigned to Queen of the World Hospital in Kansas City, MO as Medical Technologist. In 1966, she was assigned to the Philippine Region at St. Paul’s Hospital, Manila and to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Manapla until 1969. In that same year she returned to the Eastern U.S. Region of the Maryknoll Sisters and worked at Reading Hospital again as Head Technologist until 1976. In 1976, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center and served on the Sisters Center Council and in the research and planning department until 1979 as well as in the nursing home/activities center until 1981. In 1982, Sr. Jean was assigned to Hawaii where she worked at the Spiritual Life Center in Oahu and as Liturgy Director at St. Pius X Church in Honolulu. In 1992, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center and worked in the center nursing home until 1996. In 1997, she retired to the Maryknoll Sisters Residence in Monrovia, CA. In 2000, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

A Vespers service will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 4:15 p.m. in the Main Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. A funeral Mass will follow on Friday, February 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. also in the Main Chapel at the Center. Interment will follow in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery on the Center grounds.

Human Trafficking Prayer 17

Posted on January 31, 2017

A Prayer for those affected by Human Trafficking

Today, we ask you to join the Maryknoll Sisters at 10:30a.m. (EST) and take part in the national day of prayer for the victims and survivors of human trafficking. You can use the “Power Prayer” below.

Through prayer, we not only reflect on the experiences of those that have suffered through this disrespect to
human dignity, but also to comfort, strengthen, and help empower survivors.

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Sister Vivian Vallee, Maryknoll Sister for 70 Years

Posted on January 27, 2017

Sister Vivian Vallee, Maryknoll Sister for 70 Years Dies
Sister Vivian Vallee, M.M. died on January 25, 2017 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was 90 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 70 years.

She was born in Northbridge, MA on May 6, 1926 to Sophie (Pote) and Paul Vallee. Both parents have predeceased her; she is survived by two sisters: Sr. M. Cecilia SP (Evelyn) and Mrs. Anne Williams.

Vivian graduated from Northbridge High School in Whitinsville, MA in 1944 and then studied art at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI from 1944-1945. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate at the Maryknoll Sisters Center on October 5, 1946 from St. Patrick’s Parish in Whitinsville, MA the Diocese of Worcester. At her Reception of the habit she received the religious name Sister Rose Marita. She made her First Profession of Vows on April 6, 1949 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center and was assigned to Kyoto, Japan in 1950, where she made her Final Vows on April 6, 1952. From 1960-1964 she attended Maryknoll Teachers Training College in Maryknoll, NY where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree. She also studied Japanese at Columbia University during the summer of 1964 before returning to Japan.

During her years of service in Japan, from 1964 to 1970, Sr. Vivian taught English conversation, did pastoral work and worked in the Sisters vestment making department. She returned to Maryknoll, NY in 1971 for renewal and Congregational Service in the Graphic Arts Department, Housekeeping and the Education Department Library until 1984 after which she was assigned to Bangladesh in South Asia. There she worked in a Christian Pastoral Center and in training of parish lay catechists until 1989. From Bangladesh she first returned to Monrovia, CA and later to Waterbury, CT doing volunteer work until 1999. In 2000, Sr. Vivian returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center and continued to do volunteer work until 2013 when she retired.

A Vespers service will be held for Sister Vivian on Monday, January 30 at 4:15 p.m. in the Main Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. A funeral Mass will follow on Tuesday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m. also in the Main Chapel at the Center. Interment will follow in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery on the Center grounds.

Sister Jennie Burke, Maryknoll Sister for 72 Years

Posted on January 24, 2017

Sister Jennie Burke, Maryknoll Sister for 72 Years
Sister Jennie Burke, M.M. died on January 22, 2017 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, in Maryknoll, NY. She was 92 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 72 years.

She was born in Nova Scotia, Glace Bay, Canada on November 5, 1924 to Catherine McDougall and Joseph Burke and became an American citizen in 1926. She had three brothers and three sisters: J. Raymond, John, Joseph P. Jr., Mary, Catherine and Margaret. Her parents and siblings have all predeceased her.

Jennie graduated from East Boston High School, in Boston MA in 1942. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, in Maryknoll, NY on September 6, 1944 from Sacred Heart Parish in the Diocese of Boston, MA. At her Reception of the Habit she received the religious name Sister Miriam Terza. She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7, 1947 and her Final Vows on March 7, 1950, all at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. She earned two college degrees: a Bachelor of Education Degree at Maryknoll Teacher Training College in Maryknoll, NY and a Masters of Arts Degree in Religious Education at Seattle University, in Seattle, WA. In addition, she earned a certificate in Creation Spirituality at Holy Names College, in Oakland CA.

In 1949, Sister Jennie taught for one year at St. Anthony’s School in the Bronx, NY and was then assigned in 1950 to Hawaii where she taught in various diocesan schools until 1970. Following this, Sister Jennie became Religious Education Coordinator and sixth, seventh and eighth grade teacher at Maryknoll Girls School, Punahou, HI until 1975 when she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center and worked in Mission Education until 1978.

In 1978, she was assigned to Tanzania, East Africa where she did pastoral ministry and Christian Community Development in Dar Es Salaam from 1979 – 1981 and served as co-pastor of Sinon Church, Arusha, TZ from 1981 – 1986 . Following a year of renewal at the Maryknoll Sisters Center she went to Zimbabwe and Mozambique in 1988. She returned to Newburgh, NY in 1989 where she served as Community Development Coordinator and as a teacher in Adult Basic Education until 1990. From 1991 – 1993, she was a caregiver and counselor at ‘Arche Home in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. In 1993, she moved to Detroit, MI as a Special Education teacher at Mangrove College Learning and Writing Center until 1999. She retired in 2000 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. Sister Jennie died peacefully on January 22, 2017 and donated her body to science.

A Vespers service will be held for Sister Jenny on January 27 at 4:15 p.m. in the Main Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. A funeral Mass will follow on January 28 at 9:00 a.m. also in the Main Chapel at the Center.

 

 

 

 

 

Sister Agnes Miriam Donovan, Maryknoll Sister for 77 Years

Posted on January 20, 2017

Sister Agnes Miriam Donovan, Maryknoll Sister for 77 Years
Maryknoll, NY: Sister Agnes Miriam Donovan died on January 18, 2017 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was 95 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 77 years.

She was born in Auburn, NY on September 22, 1921 to Mary and Thomas Donovan. She had four brothers and two sisters: Thomas Jr., Joseph, James, Harry, Ethel and Esther who also was a Maryknoll Sister. Her parents and siblings have all predeceased her. Agnes graduated from Auburn High School, in 1939. She joined the Maryknoll Sisters in Maryknoll, NY on December 8, 1939 from her home parish, St. Mary’s, Auburn, NY in the diocese of Rochester, NY. At her reception of the habit, she received the religious name Sister Miriam Anthony. She made her first Profession of Vows on June 30, 1942 and her final Vows on June 30 1945, both at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. She then earned three degrees: a Bachelor of Education from Maryknoll Teachers College, a Masters of Arts Degree in Religion from Notre Dame and a Masters in Education from Iona College.

Sister Agnes was assigned to St. Bernadette’s School in St. Louis, MO where she taught kindergarten from 1946 –19 47. She was then assigned to the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Valley Park, MO as Assistant Novice Mistress from 1948 – 1952 and then as Novice Mistress from 1953 – 1963. She then served as the Novice Mistress at the Maryknoll Sisters Center from 1964-1969. In 1969, she received her first overseas mission assignment to Colegio Monte Maria in Guatemala City, Middle America. Sister Agnes remained in Guatemala City as a guidance counselor, trained teachers and taught child psychology classes until 2001 when she retired to the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

She died peacefully on the morning of January 18, 2017.

A Vespers service will be held for Sister Agnes on January 23rd at 4:15 p.m. in the Main Chapel at Maryknoll Sisters Center. A funeral Mass will follow on January 24th at 11:00 a.m. also in the Main Chapel at the Center. Interment will follow in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery on the Center grounds.

Sister Jean Roberts, Maryknoll Sister for 67 Years

Posted on January 18, 2017

Sister Jean Roberts, Maryknoll Sister for 67 Years Dies
 

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Jean Roberts, M.M. died on January 16, 2017 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was 94 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 67 years.

She was born in Glenwood, MO on October 19, 1922 to Grace and Herman Roberts. She had two brothers, G. Sam and R. Waldo and one sister, Carol. Her parents and brothers have predeceased her. In 1940, Jean graduated from Lancaster High School, in Lancaster, MO. After graduating from high school, she attended N.E. Missouri State Teachers College from 1940-1941. In 1941, she transferred to St. Louis University where she studied nursing and earned three degrees: B.S., R.N. and a Masters in Nursing Education. From 1945-1947, she was in the Army Nurse Corps and worked as a pediatric nurse at a children’s hospital for two years before entering the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate at Valley Park, MO on October 14, 1949. At her reception of the habit, she received the religious name Sister M. David Anthony. She made her First Profession of Vows on May 8, 1952 at Valley Park and her Final Vows on May 8, 1958 in Kansas City, MO.

Sr. Jean was assigned to Queen of the World Hospital, Kansas City, MO in 1955 as Hospital Supervisor. Six months later she became Director of the Practical Nursing School until 1962. Her first overseas assignment came in 1965 to the Mexico/Guatemala Region in Middle America. After a year of language study, she engaged in nursing education work in Jacaltenango, Guatemala from 1966 –1972 and was director and teacher of practical nursing from 1973-1975. In 1976, she was assigned as Director of the Maryknoll Sisters Health Services in Maryknoll, NY. From 1979-1980, Sr. Jean did pastoral work in the missions of Nicaragua before returning to Guatemala to continue hospital administration and health education. From 1997-1998, she was asked to work on the Maryknoll Sisters Guatemala History Project.

Sr. Jean returned to the Rogers Community at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY in 1999 where she did volunteer work and continued to work on the Guatemala history project. Due to delicate health she retired in 2006. She died peacefully on the morning of January 16, 2017.

A Vespers service will be held for Sister Jean on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 4:15 p.m. in the Main Chapel at Maryknoll Sisters Center. A funeral Mass will follow on Friday, January 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. also in the Main Chapel at the Center. Interment will follow in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery on the Center grounds.

 

Sister Mary Edna Brophy, Maryknoll Sister for 60 Years

Posted on January 17, 2017

Sister Mary Edna Brophy, Maryknoll Sister for 60 Years Dies

 Brophy, Mary Edna

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Mary Edna Brophy, missioner to Hong Kong died on January 13, 2017 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, in Maryknoll, NY. She was 90 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 60 years.

She was born in Blackie, Alberta, Canada on January 23, 1926 to Veronica and George Brophy. She received the name Mary Edna at baptism. She had two brothers, Joseph and Edward and three sisters, Ursaula, Mary Ada, and Agnes.  Her parents and siblings have predeceased her. Mary Edna attended Wingham High School, in Wingham, Ontario, Canada from 1940 to 1945. Her fifth year of high school was equivalent to first year university in the United States. After graduation from high school she went into nurses training at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada and obtained her R.N. in 1948.  She continued her nursing career at St. Michael’s Hospital until March 1955, and worked for three months at Mercy Hospital, Orlando, FL before entering the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Maryknoll, NY from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (now St. Timothy’s) Toronto, on September 2, 1955.  At her reception of the habit she received the religious name Sister M. Frances John.  After Vatican Council II, she returned to using her baptismal name, Mary Edna.

She made her First Profession of Vows on June 24, 1958 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.   That same year she was assigned to Hong Kong where, after studying the Chinese language for one year, she served as a Lab Assistant in Physics and Chemistry at the Maryknoll Convent School in Hong Kong.  On June 24, 1964 she pronounced her Final Vows.  From 1965-1976, Sr. Mary Edna was the Administrator of Caritas Center Clinic in the Ngua Tau Kok area of Hong Kong while also giving In-Service Training to Nurses Aides, teaching Health, and running Well-Baby/Nutrition/ Dental Clinics.

From 1977-1979, she worked at the Maryknoll Sisters Health Services in Maryknoll, NY, after which she attended Clinical Pastoral Training in Toronto. Upon her return to Hong Kong she took a refresher course in the Chinese language and from 1980-1989 served in various roles at Maryknoll Hospital, Caritas Social Centre, Community Nursing Services, Staff Nurse and Pastoral Service. From 1989-1992, she again worked at the Maryknoll Sisters Health Services in Maryknoll, NY.

She returned to Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong where she set up Pastoral Ministry Services in two large government hospitals:  Kwong Wah and Kowloon Hospitals where she worked until 2004.  She returned to Maryknoll, NY to give service as a Pastoral Team member at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.  From 2005-2012 she volunteered as a Social Services Assistant, until she retired. Sister Mary Edna she died on January 13, 2017 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.   Typical of her life long desire to serve others, she donated her body to science.

A Vespers service will be held for Sister Mary on January 25 at 4:15 p.m. in the Main Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.  A funeral Mass will follow on March 10 at 11:00 a.m. also in the Main Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

 

 

Sister Margaret Lyons, Maryknoll Sister for 69 Years

Posted on January 5, 2017

Sister Margaret Lyons, Maryknoll Sister for 69 Years
Maryknoll, NY: Sister Margaret Lyons, missioner to Chile and El Salvador, died on January 3, 2017 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, in Maryknoll, NY. She was 95 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 69 years.

She was born in South Boston, MA on March 16, 1921 to Margaret Mary (Davitt) Lyons and John Joseph Lyons. She received the name Marjorie Ann at baptism. She had two brothers, John J. and Paul and three sisters, Dorothy, Elizabeth and Marie. Her parents and siblings have predeceased her. Marjorie Ann graduated from No. Quincy High, in No. Quincy, MA in 1939. After graduating high school she worked at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Boston from 1939 to 1947.

Marjorie Ann entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation from Sacred Heart Parish, No. Quincy, MA in the Archdiocese of Boston on September 6, 1947 at the “Venard” the Maryknoll Preparatory Seminary in Pennsylvania. She received her religious habit six months later at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and received the religious name Sister Margaret John. She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7, 1950 and her Final Vows three years later both at Maryknoll Sisters Center. She was assigned to work in the Treasurer’s Office, and in 1952 to the Booking Department at the FIELD AFAR office (now the Maryknoll Magazine). From 1954 to 1957 she studied at the Maryknoll Teacher’s College and graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree. In 1957, she was assigned to her first overseas mission in Chile, South America where she worked for 24 years in parish elementary and high schools. From 1971 until 1984, she worked in poor squatter areas of Chile, with other Sisters, helping to train leaders and forming basic Christian Communities.

In 1984, Sister Margaret was called back to the Maryknoll Sisters Center to serve as Assistant Treasurer until 1988. She was then assigned to El Salvador, Central America where she did pastoral work until 2004. She was then assigned to Monrovia, CA where she did volunteer work at the Monrovia Civic Community. She returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center to retire in 2006.

A Vespers service will be held for Sister Margaret on January 6 at 4:15 p.m. in the Main Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. A funeral Mass will follow on January 7 at 11:00 a.m. also in the Main Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. Interment will follow in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery on the Center grounds.

Memorial Video for Sister Margaret Lyons
 

Human Trafficking 2017

Posted on January 5, 2017

The Maryknoll Sisters have long been working to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against girls and women. At the present time, sexual exploitation and human trafficking of women and children in Southeast is an enormous problem.

The Cambodian Women’s Crisis Center, run by Sister Helene O’Sullivan, M.M. offers vocational training to trafficked women as well as survivors of rape and domestic violence. Each year, Sister Helene takes referrals from Church and anti-trafficking organizations to help identify and support 25 young women (16-25 years old) to begin her two year study program.

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Why Specialized Vocational Training is Needed?

In shelters, as part of recovery young women receive counseling, literacy training, legal aid, and reintegration assistance. Many of these young women have only received two years of elementary school education, therefore, literacy training in the shelter was not enough, they still lacked sufficient general knowledge and critical thinking skills that would enable them to go on for higher-level skilled training.
Sister Helene has found that helping these women create options for themselves was one of the most important things she could do to assist them saying, “Creating options together brings hope, and hope heralds the coming of the reign of God.”

At the present time, Sister Helene continues to network with different NGOs working to combat trafficking and promote advocacy.

Pictured below are a few of the young women whose lives were impacted by the women’s center.


With your help today, the center will be able to provide the following:

•Social, medical and psychological support

•Food supplements for the women’s families

•School supplies and uniform

•Room and board

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01/01/2017

Posted on January 4, 2017

Please pray for me , I am at a crossroads in my life. I want to follow the path that I think God has laid out for me. I need health and strength and prayers to do so. God bless you. Thanks Richard.