I was born in Philadelphia to Rose and John (Jack), Murphy on February 20, 1934. Growing up in a large family with eight siblings, James, John, George, Joseph, Gerald, Mary, Suzanne and Margaret always brought new adventures. The dinner table was the place to share so many stories with lots of laughter and sometimes sadness. During our formative years we learned so much from our parents and from each other.
It was not until a friend asked me to accompany her on a visit to Mount St. Francis, located in Peekskill, NY, that I met the Franciscan Sisters for the first time. I was so impressed by their presence and ministry that I decided to make a retreat that would assist me in my discernment as to whether or not I was being drawn to religious life. In September 1954, not too long after that retreat, I entered the Franciscan community.
Professed in 1956, I ministered as a child care worker at St. Joseph’s Home in Peekskill and later at Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Home in the Bronx. Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, NY prepared me for my teaching career.During those early ministerial years, I was an elementary school teacher in several parish schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Teaching was my forte! After receiving a teaching certificate for socially and emotionally disturbed children from St. Joseph’s University, I became a Learning Disabilities Specialist at the Paoli Development Center. Through this experience I felt very much drawn to helping wayward youth and spent the next several years at Paoli Development Center and later at Northern Home for Children, both in Philadelphia. Hopefully, it was my ability to be a positive influence on the lives of these boys that them to complete their education successfully. For me, this ministry felt comfortable. It was where God wanted me to be, guiding these young boys, helping to prevent them from going astray. I think, though, I received much more than I gave. The blessings were many!
In later years, after my Mom died, I moved to New Jersey and provided social services to the residents of New Community in Newark, a place that provided much support to those on the margins of society. For me, working among the poor, was also a meaningful ministry. This was followed by my work as a tutor in St. Martin de Porres Village in Paterson, NJ, a ministry that placed me back in the midst of children, one of my favorite places. More recently, I volunteered at the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women, a place that supports immigrant women and their children in a safe environment.
After many years of service, especially to youth, I retired from active ministry and now reside at Marian Woods, an independent, intercommunity residence for religious sisters located in Hartsdale, NY. Here I am most grateful for the gift of time to spend with all of God’s creation; time to contemplate the many blessings received during these past seventy years as a Franciscan Sister, wondering where all these years have gone?

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I was born in Manhattan to Dennis O’Connor and Margaret Conway. A few years later, I was joined with my three wonderful sisters, Peggy, Helen and Denise. My sisters and I had a wonderful mom. She was definitely the “boss” in our house. My dad was kind and gentle and funny. However, Mom told Dad: “If the girls ask you for anything, the only thing you’re allowed to say is, “Ask your mother” because you don’t know how to say “No” to your daughters.
Manhattan was a wonderful city and a great place to be raised. My Grandma O’Connor lived in Manhattan. Some of my greatest memories are of my visits to her. A particular one is on my First Communion day. Since we didn’t have a car, we rode the subway. I still remember all the people greeting and congratulating me as I sat on the train in my pretty white dress, shoes and veil. I wonder if that would ever happen now?!!!
It was at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School that I first met the Franciscan Sisters and I had the wonderful privilege of one of our Franciscan Sisters teaching me in every grade. And who could ever forget Mrs. Dugans famous plays? During those years I made lasting friendships. I then continued my education at Mt. St. Ursula Academy High School in the Bronx.
As I reflect, it is such a joy to look back over the past 70 years of having been blessed to be a Franciscan Sister! My journey began on a rainy day, September 8, 1954. My mother, father and my three “little” sisters, joined me as we took the drive to Peekskill, NY from Manhattan. My sponsor, Sister Maureen FitzPatrick, accompanied me. I must admit that I was a bit scared, and at the same time excited to meet my new companions as we began our religious life together. There were 18 girls entering at the same time. They came from NY, NJ and PA. My classmate Sr. Maureen O’Leary, RIP, later joined us as a community member. I attended Ladycliff College and received an MA in Religious Studies. My teaching career began at St. Joseph’s West New York, NJ and continued at St. Bonaventure, Paterson, NJ and St. Joseph, Waverly Place, New York. I held the position of Principal at St. Leo’s School in Elmwood Park and later on as the Director of Religious Education. in that Parish as well.My ministries also included several positions in the Congregation as Director of Formation from 1971-1976; Assistant Congregation Minister from 1991-1995 and as a Community Councilor.A wonderful experience of ministry began in the fall of 1984 when Sister Justine Marcucci, Ann Smith and I began our ministry in Americus Georgia. We remained there for 6 years serving the Catholics of southwest Georgia at St. Mary’s Parish and 2 mission churches. We had the privilege of serving hundreds of migrants, who came to that area from April – October. Sister Justine opened a pre-school which was very well received!
After that, I was privileged to serve as Director of Religious Education from 1995-2014 at Our Lady of the Magnificat Parish in Kinnelon, NJ. My years there are full of happy memories of working beside great, dedicated, priests, wonderful secretaries, catechists and families and I might add we had lots of wonderful celebrations!
I am now serving our community since 2014 in the ministry of hospitality at our community center. I believe that over the years as we, (Sisters, Priests, and Families), combined our resources and worked together that we grew closer to God and each other. I am also conscious of aging with a slightly different focus on my religious life. I am now moving from “doing” and “achieving” to a different quality of “awareness and presence”. It is my prayer that as God works in and through us; that we will continue to build a peaceful world.

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I was born on May 4, 1946, in Paterson, NJ to Alice and Frank Nagl. I was the first child, followed by my sister Ann in 1949 and my sister Diane in 1951. Our relationship was a close one and their presence in my life was always seen as a gift of love and care. My parents instilled strong values of independence, kindness and faith in each of us and took advantage of sending us to St. Leo’s Catholic School in Elmwood Park, NJ where we received each of our sacraments.
My grandmother was the cook in the rectory at St. Leo. I was already in the convent when my grandmother died; I still feel her presence in my life. I recall when I received my First Reconciliation, I sat on the church steps, afraid to go into the church. I went to the rectory and asked my grandmother to bring me into the church. That small gesture of kindness on her part speaks volumes about her compassionate nature.When I was a freshman in High School, at Immaculate Conception in Lodi, NJ it was discovered that I had Scoliosis, and I needed surgery. I missed the second semester of my freshman year, but thanks to my father, I was able to keep up with my assignments. My father would get my assignments and bring back my finished work every week. I was in the hospital for 3 months and my mother would visit me every day. I will never forget their love and devotion.
Deeply moved by the Sisters’ selfless service and sacrifice, it was during my senior school year that I decided to enter the convent. My parents and siblings were very supportive of my decision. Realizing that I would need a sponsor, I chose my eighth-grade teacher, Sister Cornelius, who was most helpful in guiding me along the way.
One of my happiest memories is when I was assigned to teach at St. Leo’s School, my home parish, and I taught with my youngest sister, Diane, for many years.
At the age of 72 years old, thanks to the encouragement and help from Sister Helen Wacker and Sister Dorothy De Young, I was able to have another surgery on my back. I was very bent over due to the Scoliosis. My sister Ann who is a nurse came from Indiana to help me recuperate from the surgery, after many months of therapy, I am now standing up straight. Thanks to the skill of my great doctor.
I am aware that as we age, we do not cease to participate in mission, however, the form that mission takes for each person is diverse. I recall as a younger sister hearing older sisters say that they often found themselves spending some time looking back and maybe would do somethings differently today. As I age, I too, find myself recalling places where I worked and the people I encountered. I have added a practice of consciously sending blessings to those people or places who become present to me. Recalling those faces, names, and places from the past is a blessing for me and I trust a blessing for those people and places as well.
I am now retired and living in Marian Woods. Members of my community are mostly in their 80’s and 90’s. Despite their age and physical limitations, these sisters continue to live the mission, tell the stories of our foundation, and share their presence and prayer with us and others. I am grateful for the many blessings God has given me, especially my family, my community, and my friends. I look forward to many years at Marian Woods. I don’t know where these 60 years have gone, but they have been happy, prayerful and wonderful years!

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Before there were smart phones to contain pictures, there were photo albums. In this article, I would like to describe some “snapshots” of my life, especially my religious life of SIXTY YEARS! Let’s pretend we are looking at them!! OK…. Here I am as an infant, born on November 26, 1946 to Antoinette and Joseph Picciurro of Hoboken, New Jersey. As you can see, I am really tiny – two pounds and eleven ounces! Sr. Berille of St. Mary’s Hospital took care of me for four months in an incubator before I could go home at five pounds! 
Here are pictures of my loving, devoted parents, Anne and Joe - and of my sister, Annette, born four years later - and brother, Dennis, born nine years later. I was now the “big” sister, a title one never gives up! How I grew to love them and take them for walks to the park from our fourth floor apartment in Union City, New Jersey. Here is my eighth grade graduation picture from Robert Waters School. I especially want to acknowledge Mrs. Malone, my second, fourth, and fifth grade teacher who taught us academics and to really care for one another. She was a second “mother” to us! I also mention Miss Schmidt, sixth grade teacher, who inspired me to be an English teacher. Next photo is my high school graduation picture from Holy Family High School in Union City. This co-ed parish school gave us a good preparation for college. 
I have a picture of my best friend, Terry Thalman Odenwalder. We still keep in touch. Now we have the next chapter of snapshots. I entered the Peekskill Franciscans, (Franciscan Missionaries of the Sacred Heart) on September 8, 1964. What a struggle to get to this point in my life. I wanted to get married and have a family. I enjoyed dating and dancing (I really was a good dancer!). God, however, was persistently knocking at the door of my heart. However, with the wise advice from Sr. Marie Augusta, my future sponsor, I listened and surrendered to God’s call. 
Next pictures are reception (I received the name Sr. Mary Joseph Anne), first profession of the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience for one year, and final profession of the vows for life. In 1986, 111 Sisters and I formed a new diocesan community in the Archdiocese of New York, under the approval of Cardinal John O’Connor. We are now the Franciscan Sisters of Peace, based in Haverstraw, NY. 
Here are pictures of us in St. Patrick’s Cathedral with the Cardinal. The next sixty years sped by! I graduated from Ladycliff College with a B.A. in English and a minor in French. My first assignment was to teach fifth grade at St. Joseph’s School in Greenwich Village, New York. It was 1968. The country was fighting a war in Viet Nam. The civil rights movement was clamoring for freedom and equal opportunities for blacks. Riots and protests were common. In the Church, the effects of Vatican Council II were just emerging. New ministries for the laity were blossoming for both men and women. 
Next photograph is my graduation picture from Fordham University with an M.S. in Religious Education. This was a whole new field for religious education. It was not only for children, but also for adults and teens, and especially for parents. This set the course of my ministries for the next fifty years! 
Here are snapshots of me as assistant director of parish catechetics for the Paterson Diocese. I spent twelve years teaching parish volunteers how to teach children and adults especially about Jesus, Scripture, and Sacraments. I also developed programs and support groups for parish catechetical leaders in Paterson, Morris, and Sussex Counties. Here is a picture of me as pastoral associate at Sacred Heart Church in Haworth, New Jersey where I currently minister. I teach adults, parents, and people who want to become Catholic (RCIA). I also train the parishioners for various liturgical and pastoral ministries. I also help families plan funeral Masses for their loved ones. On the other end of the spectrum, I coordinate programs, and counsel parents and godparents on the baptism of their children. My pride and joy is my women’s spirituality group of twenty-eight years. We are a tremendous faith support for one another each week. 
Next photo is of our Associates on the feast of St. Francis. In the mid-eighties, the community established Associate membership. This allowed lay women without vows to be part of the community by prayer, presence at meetings, and learning about the Franciscan charism. It has been a privilege for me to share faith with them. 
Lest you think I only work…. I have pictures of me playing violin in a school orchestra. I joined the Garfield, New Jersey YMCA and spent thirty years swimming laps and participating in water aerobics. I learned to love classical music and opera, especially Italian and French. I enjoyed reading mysteries, especially by Louise Penny. My favorite vacation place was Weston, Vermont, when I prayed with the Benedictines each summer for twenty-two years. My favorite prayer is “thank you, thank you, thank you”. I love the Blessed Mother Mary. She and I are very close friends! From My Heart to Yours! 

The Best Is Yet to Come!!!