Maryknoll, NY: Sister Helen Carpenter died on August 18, 2024 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 90 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 71 years.
On July 31, 1934, Helen Teresa Carpenter was born in Worcester, MA to Helen (O’Rourke) Carpenter and Edward J. Carpenter. She had six brothers and two sisters; all have predeceased her. Many nieces and nephews survive her.
From 1948 to 1952, Sister Helen attended Ascension High School in Worcester, MA. She graduated from the State Teachers College in 1953. In her first year at State Teachers College, she entered the Maryknoll Sisters at Maryknoll, NY on September 2, 1953 from her home parish of Our Lady of Fatima, Worcester. She professed her First Vows on March 7, 1956 and her Final Vows on March 7, 1962 at Maryknoll, NY. She earned her Bachelor of Education in 1961 from Maryknoll Teachers College.
Her first mission assignment was to the Transfiguration parish school in New York City where she taught the fifth grade. In 1964, she received her first overseas assignment to Santiago, Chile as a Religion and English teacher until 1972.
After months of language school, she was sent to Buzeta, Chile, an outlying slum area of Santiago, to the Maryknoll parish school. There she was involved in the direction of religious formation, the preparation of students for sacraments, catechetical work and home visiting.
In 1978, Sister Helen came back to the States to give service at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in the Development Department. She returned to Santiago, Chile to San Gabriel Parish in 1982, and she and Sr. Gerry Doiron opened a small wooden structure, which they named Casa Malen for the development of personal formation, mental health, pastoral support, and self-help and leadership groups for women.
After 46 years of dedicated mission life in Chile, Sister Helen made the difficult decision to retire and return to the Maryknoll Center in 2011. She accepted her assignment to the Chi Rho community, volunteering her time and doing prayer ministry. In 2015, she transferred to the Eden Community where she remained until her passing.
Funeral Services:
A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Helen Carpenter on Monday, August 26, 2024 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.