PROVIDENCE – Forty-seven women and men religious in the Diocese of Providence are celebrating anniversaries of 75, 70, 65, 60, and 50 years of religious life in the year 2008.
They will be honored this Sunday, April 6, at the 1 p.m. Mass in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence. Bishop Thomas J. Tobin will preside, and Dom Caedmon Holmes, OSB, will deliver the homily. A reception for the jubilarians and their guests will follow in the cathedral hall. The annual jubilee celebration is sponsored by the diocesan Office for Religious and the Council of Religious.
75th Anniversary
Sr. M. Gertrude Donnelly, RSM
Sr. Jessie Marie Kearns, RSM
Sr. M. Leontine Mulvenna, RSM
70th Anniversary
Sr. Helen Marie Mahoney, RSM
Sr. Agnes Mary O’Brien, FCJ
Sr. Angelina Rocha, SND
65th Anniversary
Sr. Louis Ernest Brodeur, DHS
Sr. Marie Cafferty, CND
Sr. Frances Callanan, FMM
Sr. Kathleen Farley, RSM
Sr. M. Agnes Gallogly, RSM
Sr. Ellen Gibbons, FMM
Sr. Mary Ann Hosey, RSM
Sr. M. Josina Martin, RSM
Sr. Rita E. McCoy, RSM
Sr. M. Sylvia Rice, RSM
Sr. Virginia Mary Sweeney, RSM
Sr. Marie Antonia Tognetti, RSM
60th Anniversary
Sr. M. Edwardine Black, RSM
Br. Edward Breault, SC
Sr. Elizabeth Gorman, SND
Sr. Marie Lorraine Halpin, RSM
Sr. M. Michaeleen Hamilton, RSM
Sr. Mary Jane Higgins, RSM
Sr. M. Hope Hughes, RSM
Sr. M. Maris Stella Laliberte, RSM
Br. Louis Laperle, SC
Sr. M. Jamesita Lavery, RSM
Sr. M. Lea Malley, RSM
Sr. Constance McDonald, RSM
Sr. Joan Marie Mulligan, RSM
Sr. Carlene O’Donnell, RSM
Br. Paul Parenteau, SC
Sr. Madeline Pucella, CP
Sr. Mary Reilly, RSM
Sr. Vilma Seelaus, OCD
Dom Philip Wilson, OSB
Sr. Mary Carol Yuengling, SU
50th Anniversary
Sr. Anne Marie Coleman, RSM
Sr. Joyce Gardella, FMM
Sr. Rosemarie Higgins, FMM
Sr. Catherine Mary Janes, RSM
Sr. Christina Martin, RSM
Br. Michael McKenery, FSC
Sr. M. Katherine Menard, RSM
Sr. Rosemarie O’Brien, RSM
Sr. Rachel Philippe Racine, SJC
Brother Michael J. McKenery, FSC, was born in the La Salle Academy neighborhood in Providence. He attended the Academy and furthered his education at the Catholic University of America, earning a B.A. in English Literature and European History. His advanced degrees include an M.A. in Education Administration and an M.A. in Arts Administration from St. Mary University of Minnesota and an honorary Doctor of Pedagogy from Dowling College. Beginning his teaching career at St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, RI, in 1962, Bro. Michael went on in 1967 to teach at the La Salle Military Academy in Oakdale, NY, where he also served as Headmaster, founded the La Salle Living Theatre, Developed the Performing Arts Curriculum and served as Director of the Brothers’ Community. After leaving the Military Academy in 1984, Bro. Michael was Director of Education and Apostolates for the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Long Island-New England Province, for which he later was Provincial. From 1991-1996, Bro. Michael was President of the USA/Toronto Regional Conference of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. He was also the Founding Dean of The Academy of the Performing Arts at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts in Winona, Minnesota, the Director of Planning and Development at the La Salle Military Academy, and since 1998 has been President of La Salle Academy in Providence, RI. Bro. Michael states that “The past fifty years are in many ways a blur of activity and are sometimes difficult to put into perspective…How could I possibly know what I wanted at the age of seventeen? I did not know; yet something pulled me and compelled me every step of the way. Fifty years later I realize that I could not have made a better decision about how I wanted to live my life. It is not as though I never looked back. With every doubt and review of my life choices, I became stronger in my conviction to live my life as far as I was able as a Brother of the Christian Schools. Over the years countless young people transformed my life…”
Sister Anne Marie Coleman, RSM, a native of Rhode Island, entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1958, at Mount St. Rita in Cumberland, Rhode Island, and pronounced first vows on August 16, 1961. She completed her undergraduate degree at Salve Regina University and her Masters degree in Business Administration at the University of Notre Dame. Sister Anne Marie taught at St. Patrick’s in Fall River (1963-1965) and Mercymount Country Day School (1965-1967). In 1967 she assumed administrative responsibilities for Mount St. Rita Convent and became the Finance Manager of Mount St. Rita Health Centre when it opened in 1971. She also served as Finance Manager of St. Mary’s High School, Broadway, and St. Mary’s Bay View (1983-1987). From 1987 until 2006, Sister was involved in Home Care and Hospice programs. She served as the Finance Manager of Community VNA in Attleboro, MA, Neponset Valley Hospice, Norwood, MA, and the VNA of Southeastern MA in Fall River. For many years she also served as a volunteer at McAuley House. She presently ministers at Mount St. Rita Health Centre and the New Dawn Earth Center in Cumberland.
Sister Rachel Philippe Racine, SJC, seventh child of thirteen children was born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts. She learned of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny from her neighbor who was home on visit after her profession. Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny in Newport, RI, as a postulant on May 6, 1956, and was received as a novice on December 18, 1956. She made first profession on July 15, 1958, in Newport, RI. Sister Rachel Philippe’s first obedience was to Torrance, CA, where she taught grade 2 at St. Catherine Laboure School from 1958 to 1969. She then taught in grades 1, 2 and 4 with French and art in grades 5 and 6 at St. Joseph of Cluny School, Newport, RI, from 1969 to 1990. Sister returned to California and taught grade one at SS. Peter and Paul School in Wilmington from 1990 to 2001. St. Joseph of Cluny School, Newport, RI, welcomed Sister back in 2001 to 2008 as resource tutor for children in kindergarten, first and second grades . . . delightful ages!
Sister Gertrude Donnelly, RSM, (formerly Sister Mary Petronilla) a native of Providence, Rhode Island, entered the Sisters of Mercy on August 2, 1933. She professed her first vows in 1936 and her final vows in 1939. Sister began her teaching career in the elementary schools in the Diocese of Providence in 1936. Her first assignment was St. Joseph School, Pawtucket, followed by St. Mary’s Bay View. In 1948 she was assigned to St. Augustine School, Newport, first as teacher and later as principal and superior. From 1964-67, Sister Gertrude was treasurer and superior at Salve Regina College, now University. Following this assignment, she remained in Newport as principal and superior at St. Mary’s until 1981. From 1981-1999 Sister served in St. Agnes Parish, Phoenix, Arizona, as secretarial assistant. She returned in 1999 and resided at Our Lady of Mercy Convent, Attleboro, and later at Landmark, Fall River. Sister Gertrude presently resides at Mount St. Rita Health Centre, Cumberland, Rhode Island.
Sister Jessie Kearns, RSM, formerly known as Sister Lillian is the last of three Kearns women to become Sisters of Mercy. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in Fall River in February of 1933. Sister was professed in August of 1935. Sister Jessie was missioned to Cleary School in Providence in 1935. The rest of her teaching ministry was at SS. Peter & Paul School and St. Joseph School in Fall River; St. Mary School, N. Attleboro; Holy Name, New Bedford, and the last 20 years of teaching was at St. Patrick School, Fall River. Sister retired to Bay View and did in-house service, finally retiring to Mount St. Rita in Cumberland in 2000. She was educated at the Dominican Academy, Fall River. Sister furthered her education at Catholic Teachers College, Salve Regina University and Rhode Island College. (No photo available)
Sister Mary Leontine Mulvenna, RSM, entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1933. She completed her undergraduate work and Masters Degree at Catholic Teachers College. Sister also taught many young Sisters at the Catholic Teachers College. Sister Leontine taught at many schools in the diocese starting at Cleary. From there she went to Tyler School where she stayed for 17 years beginning in the 4th grade and ending in the 9th grade. She also ran the remedial reading program. Sister also taught at the Adult Correctional Institution as well as the Girls School at Sakonosett. Sister Leontine became principal and procurator of a number of schools starting in 1955: St. Patrick School for 6 years, Holy Ghost School for 2 years, and in 1963 she went to Mercy Mount Country Day. She then went to St. Teresa School, Pawtucket, where she became superior, procurator and principal for 6 years. After completion of this assignment Sister continued her stay at St. Teresa’s School as an 8th and 9th grade teacher. Upon retirement from the teaching profession Sister took charge of the Religious Education, Confirmation and RCIA programs at St. Teresa’s Parish and remained active in other parish activities until the year 2000. Sister Leontine touched many a young person with a kind and gentle word and was never judgmental. Sister Leontine now resides at Mount St. Rita Health Centre, Cumberland.
Sr. Rosemarie Higgins, FMM, entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary on September 15, 1957 at Holy Family Novitiate, North Providence. She made her first vows March 19, 1960, and her final vows March 19, 1963 in Maris Stella Convent, Singapore. Before entering the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, she was on the faculty of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital as a nurse educator. Her first mission sending was to St. Francis Hospital, Roslyn, NY, where she served as staff nurse, head nurse and evening supervisor. Sent in mission to Malaysia she taught in Assunta School of Nursing and also did community health nursing. Back in the USA, she continued her ministry of community health nursing in Boston and Framingham, MA, and Woonsocket, RI, and as administrator of the FMM Skilled Nursing Facility. Sister has served in leadership both at the local and provincial levels. Her present ministry is editor and web master in the provincial communications office in North Providence.
