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Our 2020 Jubilarians
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From the Development Office
Our Fall raffle has begun! Contact Sr. Clare if you would like tickets.
Click to see the April Calendar Raffle results
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70 Years
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Sr. Georgeanne Farrell
Sr. Georgeanne Farrell celebrates her 70th Jubilee this year. Sr. Georgeanne’s education includes:
Cathedral High School, NY where she graduated in 1947; Fordham University, NY where she received a BS in Education in 1961 and Fordham University, NY where she received a MS in Education, Psychology & Guidance in 1964.
Sr. Georgeanne has spent many years in the field of education in several of our schools and institutions including: Guardian School in Peekskill, NY, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in NY, Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Home in the Bronx, St. Joseph High School in NY, Assisium Business School in NY, and at Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, NY. She also served on the Administrative Staff at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY and as secretary in the FSP Congregation Center in Haverstraw, NY. Sr. Georgeanne also ministered at the St. John’s Mission Office in NY, the New Sans Souci Nursing Home in Yonkers and St. Joseph’s Parish in Yonkers, NY. Since 1997 she has been dealing with health issues and currently resides at the Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, NY. -
Sr. Constance Gaynor
Sr. Constance Gaynor (formerly Sr. Joan) celebrates her 70th Jubilee this year. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Sr. Conn
ie met the Franciscan Sisters at Ladycliff Academy and College, Highland Falls, NY. After graduating from college in 1948, she did Social Work at the Angel Guardian Home in Brooklyn run by the Sisters of Mercy.
In 1950, she entered the novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters in Peekskill, NY and professed first vows in 1952. She attended the Fordham University School of Social Work earning her MSW in 1955.
Sr. Connie spent most of her ministry engaged in Social Work at various agencies including St. Joseph’s Home in Peekskill and the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Home in the Bronx. She served as Director of Social Services and later as Executive Director for both. After over twenty years she was granted a one-year sabbatical at the University of Notre Dame, IN. In 1978, Sr. Connie returned to Notre Dame as the Director of the Religious Leaders Program for four years. Returning to New York in 1982 she ministered part-time as a social worker in the Martin de Porres Village in Paterson, NJ. In 1984, she was the Director of Social Services for the Dominican Sisters Family Health Services in the Bronx, NY. Sr. Connie was on the Formation Team for the congregation from 1982-1987. She was part of a group of Sisters who developed the Lay Associate Program for the Franciscan Sisters and was its Director for four years. Sr. Connie transferred to the newly founded Franciscan Sisters of Peace in 1986.
When the Incarnation Children’s Center for Children with AIDS was opened in 1988, Sr. Connie joined the staff as Director of Social Work and ministered there for five years. In 1993, she joined Sr. Irene Freely at her mission in San Sebastian Parish, Cabanas, Guatemala for three years. When the mission had to close in 1996 they both returned to the U.S.In 1997, Sr. Connie became the Director of Development for the Franciscan Sisters of Peace at the Congregation Center in Haverstraw, NY where she ministered for five years. In 2003, for five years, she worked part-time at St. Rita’s Center for Refugees & Immigrants located in St. Nicholas Tolentine Parish, Bronx, NY as a Supervisor of Social Workers. In 2006, Sr. Connie completed writing a history of the Franciscan Sisters of Peace entitled Peacemaking – Our Journey. This led her to assume responsibility for maintaining the Archives at the Franciscan Sisters of Peace Congregation Center in Haverstraw, NY for eight years. In September of 2015, Sr. Connie moved to our retirement residence - Marian Woods in Hartsdale, NY.
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Sr. Benedict Paonessa
Sr. Benedict celebrates her 70th Jubilee this year. Sr. Benedict’s education includes: Croton-Harmon High School, Croton, NY where she graduated in 1947; Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, NY where she received a BA in History in 1966. She has also received the following awards: New York Permanent Certification in Nursery-Kindergarten to
grades 1 through 6; Certificate in Mathematics for grades 1 through 4 in 1964; Certificate in Religious Education in 1966; Certificate in Theology and Catechesis from Life and Worship in 1968; Certificate in Reading for grades 1 through 4 in 1970.
Sr. Benedict’s career has been totally dedicated to educating the young – especially first graders. She has made a mark on hundreds of children, many of whom are still in touch with her and remember her fondly. She spent from 1952 to 2000 teaching in the following schools - St. Matthew's, Hastings, NY; St. Paul's, Philadelphia, PA; St. Joseph's, West New York, NJ; Immaculate Conception, Irvington, NY; St. Patrick's, Yorktown Heights, NY; Sacred Heart, Highland Falls, NY; Our Lady of Loretto, Cold Spring, NY; St. Teresa's, North Tarrytown, NY; and St. Columbanus, Peekskill, NY. From 2001 to 2009, she was the Assistant to the Director at the Nazareth Life Center in Garrison, NY.
Sr. Benedict moved to Marian Woods in 2009 and continues to be an active member of the Franciscan Sisters of Peace.
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60 Years
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Sr. Patricia McDermott
Sr. Patricia McDermott celebrates her 60th Jubilee this year. Sr. Patricia’s education includes: St. Joseph High School, West New York, NJ where she graduated in 1960; Ladycliff College, Highland Falls, NY where she earned a BA in Chemistry in 1971; and Loyola University, Chicago, IL where she received a MA in Religious Education in 1975. Her certifications include: Certified Mid-Life Directions Consultant and a Pastoral Care Specialist from the Creative Living Counseling Center of Mental Health Associates, Inc.
Early in he
r career, Sr. Patricia spent many years teaching at a number of schools including Our Lady of Holy Angels, Little Falls, NJ; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, NY; Holy Family High School, Union City, NJ; Holy Family Elementary School, Union City, NJ; and St. Benedict School, Chicago, IL. Then she moved into other ministries including Director of Religious Education at Assumption Parish, Morristown, NJ and as Outreach to Senior Citizens for SHARE, Diocese of Paterson, NJ.
Sr. Patricia then became the Provincial Director of Ministry and then Assistant Provincial at Mt. St. Francis in Peekskill, NY. In 1985 she went back to parish ministry at St. Anthony in Passaic as Director of Religious Education. Then she became the Director of Formation for the congregation from 1988 to 1995. During that time, she also became the Pastoral Associate for Catechetics at Holy Rosary Parish in Edgewater, NJ. From 1991-1995 Sr. Patricia also served on the Council of the FSP Leadership Team. From 1995-1997, she served as the Assistant Congregation Minister. From 1998-2015, Sr. Patricia served as Pastoral Associate at St. John Parish in Leonia, NJ. From 2011-2019, she served again as a Council member. She also served as a volunteer on the Adult Faith Formation Team as St. John Parish in Leonia until 2017 when she retired. Sr. Patricia currently resides at Marian Woods where she is very engaged. -
Sr. Kathryn King
Sr. Kathryn joyfully celebrates her 60th anniversary as a Franciscan Sister of Peace. Her education includes
the following: Holy Angels Academy in Demarest, NJ – graduated 1959;
Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, NY – graduated 1967 with a BA in Social Science;
Hunter College City University in New York – graduated 1971 with a MA in Political Science;
Fordham University in Bronx, NY – graduated 1977 with a MA in Religious Studies.
Her ministry experience has impacted in a meaningful way all the people she has worked with over these many years. Sr. Kathryn began teaching in three of our elementary schools: Assumption in Peekskill, St. Teresa in North Tarrytown and at Sacred Heart in Highland Falls. She then moved to New York City where she began her full-time study at Hunter College City University. During that time, she also spent a year at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Home in the Bronx. From there Sr. Kathryn went to Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, NY where she spent seven years, both teaching Political Science and as superior of the convent. In 1976, she received a fellowship to study at Fordham University where she completed a MA in Religious Studies and Campus Ministry. From there, the next four years were spent as part of the Campus Ministry Team at New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University. In 1981, Sr. Kathryn was elected Provincial Superior of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Peekskill where she served for four years. In 1985, she was named the Administrator of the Franciscan Sisters of Peace. It was under Sr. Kathryn’s leadership that the establishment of the new religious institute in New York became a reality.
In 1988, Sr. Kathryn became Program Director of the Mariandale Retreat Center as well as a Retreat Director. In 1997, she became an Adjunct Faculty for Spiritual Direction in the School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham University in the Bronx, NY. From 2000 to 2006, she was the Novice Minister at the Eastern Franciscan Common Novitiate. During these years, she also served as the Coordinator of the Franciscan Sisters of Peace New Membership Team. From 2003 until 2011, she served on two Franciscan Sisters of Peace Leadership Councils. In October of 2004 to 2015, Sr. Kathryn became the Pastoral Associate at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in New York City. From 2015 until the present, she continues doing spiritual direction. In 2019, Sr. Kathryn moved to St. John’s Convent in Leonia, NJ. -
Sr. Charlotte Koch
Sr. Charlotte Koch is celebrating her 60th Jubilee this year. Sr. Charlotte’s education includes: Ladycliff Academy, Highland Falls, NY where she graduated in 1960; Ladycliff College, Highland Falls, NY where she received a BA in History in 1970; City College, New York where she earned a MS in Social Studies in 1975 and Montclair State University, Montclair NJ where she earned 26 credits towards Administration Supervision. Her certifications include: New York State Permanent in Nursery and Kindergarten through Grade 6 and New Jersey Permanent in Elementary School.
Sr. Charlotte spent many years teaching including the following schools: St. James, Totowa, NJ; Holy Family, Union City, NJ; Guardian School, Peekskill, NY; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, NY; St. Joseph, NY; St. John, Fairview, NJ; St. Philip, Clifton, NJ; Visitation Academy, Paramus, NJ; Hillside Catholic Academy, Hillside, NJ; Holy Trinity, Hackensack, NJ; St. John, Leonia, NJ. She also spent several years as a substitute religious education teacher at St. John, Leonia, NJ and as a Life Source Service Hospice volunteer at Bergen Regional Hospital, Paramus, NJ. In 2016, Sr. Charlotte retired to Marian Woods. -
Sr. Carolyn Nicolai
Sr. Carolyn Nicolai celebrates her 60th Jubilee this year. Sr. Carolyn’s education includes: Butler High School, Butler, NJ where she graduated in 1958; Miller Secretarial School where she graduated in 1959; Ladycliff College, Highland Falls, NY where she received a BA in Spanish and Education in 1971; St. Joseph Seminary, Yonkers, NY where she received a MA in
Religious Education in 1978. Her certifications include: NJ Permanent Teacher in Elementary Education; Certificate in Residence for Elderly in 1982; Employee of the Year Award from the Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona in 1986 and again in 1996.
Sr. Carolyn began her career in education as a teacher in the following schools: St. Joseph, West New York, NJ; Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Home, Bronx, NY where she was also a group mother; St. Leo, Elmwood Park, NJ; St. John, Fairview, NJ; St. Patrick, Yorktown, NY; and Holy Angels, Little Falls, NJ. Sr. Carolyn then moved to assume administrator responsibilities from 1980-1981 at the Eugene Kennedy Residence, Pompton Plains, NJ and also at Bethany Residence, Wayne, NJ from 1980-1984. She also served for one year as the Administrator of the Christian Doctrine Elderly Sisters who resided at St. Ursula Convent in Mt. Vernon, NY.
In 1986 she served for three years as Pastoral Associate at St. Nicholas in Passaic, NJ. From 1989-1991 she served as Pastoral Associate at St. Joseph in Winslow, AZ and from 1991-1994 at Kateri Tekawitha in Tucson, AZ. From 1994 to 2015, Sr. Carolyn was the Diocesan Director of Pastoral Ministry to Nursing Homes in the Diocese of Tucson, AZ. In 2015, Sr. Carolyn retired and still resides in Tucson, AZ where she does a weekly communion service in an assisted living home, brings Holy Communion to the sick and has a telephone ministry.
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55 Years
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Sr. Catherine Mary Raymond
Sr. Catherine Mary celebrates her 55th Jubilee this year. Sr. Catherine’s education includes: St. Michael's High School, NY where she graduated in 1964; Ladycliff College, Highland Falls, NY where she received a BA in French in 1971; St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, NY where she received a MS in Sacred Science in 1980; and Catholic University, Washington, DC
where she graduated with a JCL Licentiate in Canon Law in 1985. Her certifications and affiliations include the following: Certified Religion Teacher in 1970; Permanent Teacher Certification in 1971; Eucharistic Minister in 1973; Canon Law Society of Great Britain & Ireland; Thomas More Society; Canon Law Society of America; and the National Association of Family Life Directors.
Sr. Catherine taught in three elementary schools including St. Columbanus, Cortlandt Manor, NY; St. Patrick, Verplanck, NY and St. Bonaventure, Paterson, NJ. In 1981 for two years, she was the Advocate and Secretary of the Archdiocese of Newark Tribunal. In 1983, Sr. Catherine began her studies at Catholic University in Washington, DC. She completed her JCL Licentiate in Canon Law in 1985. From 1985 to 1986 she resumed her responsibilities as Advocate and Secretary of the Archdiocese of Newark Tribunal. From 1985 to 1990 Sr. Catherine also worked in the Family Life/Youth Office and served as a Canonical Consultant to that office and to the Archdiocese Response Team. In 1990 up until 2018 she served as Defender of the Bond (Judge) and Director of Administration in the Office of Canonical Affairs. Since 2018 up to the present Sr. Catherine serves as the FSP Eldercare Liaison. -
Sr. Regina Holtz
Sr. Regina celebrates her 55th Anniversary this year. Sr. Regina’s education includes: Benedictine Academy, Elizabeth, NJ graduated in 1961; Ladycliff College, Highland Falls, NY where she received a BA in 1965; and New Paltz College, New Paltz, NY where she received a MS in Science Education in 1973. Her certifications include a NY Permanent Teacher Certificate in Science for grades K through 9.
Sr. Regina spent a number of years teaching in the following schools: Holy Name of Mary, Croton
, NY; St. Mary, West New York, NJ; St. Joseph, Bogota, NJ; Franciscan High School, Mohegan Lake, NY where she was also the Bursar; St. Joseph, Lincoln Park, NJ; and St. Catherine of Siena, Cedar Grove, NJ.
In 1989, she began working at Babyland Family Services in Newark, NJ where she was the Center Manager and then from 1990-1997, she assumed the role of Supervisor. From 1995-1999, Sr. Regina served as a Councilor on the FSP Leadership Team. In 1999 she was elected to a four-year term as Assistant Congregation Minister. In 2003 she was elected Congregation Minister for another four years.
Late in 2007 until 2011, Sr. Regina served as the Coordinator of Visitors Program at First Friends. First Friends of NJ and NY upholds the inherent dignity and humanity of detained immigrants and asylum seekers. They provide compassion and hope through volunteer visitation, resettlement assistance and advocacy. Sr. Regina served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Franciscans International. From 2011-2015, Sr. Regina served again as Assistant Congregation Minister. Since 2012 up to the present, she serves on the Board of Lifeway Network, Inc. In 2015-2019, she returned again to First Friends as their Office Manager. As of June 2019, Sr. Regina serves as a Councilor on the FSP Leadership Team.
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50 Years
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Sr. Christina Schoen
Sr. Christina celebrates her 50th Jubilee this year. Her education includes: Ladycliff Academy, Mohegan Lake, NY where she graduated in 1969; St. Leo University, Tampa, FL where she attended from 1969-1970; St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, NY whe
re she took classes from 1970-1972 and Ladycliff College, Highland Falls, NY where she received a BA in Psychology in 1975. Her certifications include: Archdiocese of New York, Permanent Certification in Teaching; On-Site Manager Certificate in Registered Assisted Housing in New Jersey. Sr. Christina’s has affiliations with the following: 1989 - National Science Foundation Grants; Teaching Science Experiments to Teachers; Assisted Housing Manager from H.U.D. (Government) & N.J.H.M. & F.A. in Trenton; 1994-99 Notary Public, Passaic County, NJ and 1999-04 Notary Public, Passaic County, NJ.
Sr. Christina has taught in two schools: St. Patrick, Verplanck, NY from 1974-1978 and St. Bonaventure, Paterson, NJ from 1978-1990. Since 1990 up to the present Sr. Christina has been working at Martin de Porres Village, in Paterson, NJ in several capacities including On-Site Manager of the Village 146 Apartments from 1990-1996, Youth Director from 1996-2007 and presently as Director of the Learning Center since 2007. Sr. Christina currently resides in Elizabeth, NJ.
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From the Development Office
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Fall Sweepstakes
The Franciscan Fall Sweepstakes has begun! Drawing will take pace on October 7th. But mail back your tickets early for a chance at our Early Bird Drawing on August 5th.
Our Early Bird winner - Joan Smith from New Jersey.
Contact Sr. Clare at the Development office if you need more tickets or information.
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From the Congregation Center
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During COVID-19
Sisters at Marian Woods Making Face Masks
If “necessity is the mother of all invention”, then COVID - 19 has sparked a modern age of the most creative and innovative inventions. Large and small factories and cottage industries have re-tooled, and/or adapted their production of mattresses, hockey masks, men’s wear, work clothes, pillows and swimsuits to the production of medical shields, face masks, gowns, gloves and quarantine equipment for first responders who are on the front line of this pandemic.
The Sisters here at Marian Woods have joined the effort and created our own “cottage industry.” The most immediate need was for protective face masks. We found a great pattern on YouTube and under the direction of our Recreation Coordinator, Mary James, we set to work. With well-equipped sewing machines, a top-quality cotton material supply, and a team of talented Sisters we drew, cut, pinned, attached elastic, and ironed about two hundred double layered colorful face masks.
Recipients of these free face masks included: the Marian Woods Staff Personnel, the resident
Sisters, members of our communities, delivery persons, family members and friends with
no available masks in their areas.
As retired religious community members we are always seeking ways – even if those ways are
small and ordinary- to reach out and continue to be of service to our brothers and sisters
wherever needed.
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Reflction from Sr. Joanne Piccuro
As pastoral associate at Sacred Heart Church in Haworth, NJ, I have had to make many adjustments in ministering to the parishioners there. I connect volunteers to do food shopping for seniors with those who need this service. I meet with four groups via Zoom -- RCIA, lectors, prayer relay group, and women's spirituality group. The Zoom meetings are held on three different days. We pray the Gospel of the day and do some faith sharing on it. After each meeting, we pray the coronavirus prayer. (See SH bulletin for March 29 for a copy of the prayer). I visit the sick and homebound via phone calls. I also do that for those who grieve the recent loss of a loved one. I do some bereavement counseling. I send them the Care Notes from Abbey Press on dealing with grief. I write a brief reflective thought each week during this lockdown. It is on our parish website (www.sacredhearthaworth.com), as well as in the bulletin. This also gets sent to the 250 people who receive "Bringing Home the Word" (Liguori) through e-mail each week. For those many groups to whom I minister, I keep in touch through e-mail and phone. My goal is that we all stay connected as a parish. They need to know that they are missed and loved. We certainly will appreciate being back together to worship again.
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Reflection from Christina Schoen
During this time of quarantine we recently had a father of four young children and their mother, who left the scene quite a few years ago, die from the virus. Their grandparents who live in a townhouse are very ill themselves but have taken the two youngest children including one child who is handicapped. An uncle has moved into the apartment to take on responsibility for the other two children because neither one is eighteen yet. Since the virus restrictions are still in place it looks like we will not have a summer program this year. So, with the funds we raised since last summer the Learning Center was able to make a donation to help with the burial expenses of this 37-year-old father of four and former student of the Learning Center.
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Gardening at the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women
Although we got off to a later start due to Covid 19 our fifteen raised gardens are thriving. This is our seventh season that the women who wanted to garden are able to do so.
We receive an annual garden grant from City Green that enables us to purchase seeds, plants, and soil etc. We also received this year a donation of vegetable plants from Williams Nursery.
With Covid 19 we also needed to purchase gloves and small tools for each woman. The women take their supplies back and forth from home. There is no sharing of supplies. To maintain social distancing we asked each woman what two days and times would work for her to come to her garden. We also have Jose from NE Coalition who comes twice a week to instruct and answer questions of our gardeners.
Our women are very ingenious as you can see from the pictures. Most women have added an additional pot or pots alongside their garden. As you can see one woman used red bricks that were stacked along side a building to make another garden.
The women have been taking home for their families lettuce, radishes and herbs. They look forward to harvesting their eggplant, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers and squash.
This is yet another way that the Center enables the women to learn and thus provide nourishing food for their families.
Sr. Elaine Maguire, FSP
Associate Director -
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Epiphany Gathering
Our Epiphany Celebration was held on Sunday January 5, 2020 at Marian Woods in Hartsdale, NY. It was well attended and enjoyed by Sisters, Associates and Staff.
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Newsletters
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Latest Editions...
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...A look back at the start
Take a moment to look back as to where it all began. Here is a copy of our very FIRST newsletter from 1988. See if you recognize the faces,
and fondly remember those who have since passed. How things have changed - clothing and hair styles - but what has remained is our love and devotion to St. Francis.
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