Sister Justine Marcucci is celebrating her 80 years as a Franciscan Sister!!! Born in Philadelphia, Pa, to Daria and Justin Marcucci on March 6, 1922, Sr. Justine entered the Novitiate in Peekskill, NY on 9/8/1941. After profession of vows, she was assigned to the field of education and from 1944 to 1969 taught in parish schools in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia. While teaching in St. Matthew’s, Hastings, NY, (1964-1969), she was also Principal. Sr. Justine earned her BA in History from Ladycliff College and a Masters Degree in Theology from St. Bonaventure University. She received a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Dunwoodie Seminary, NY as well as course work in Canon Law from Darlington Seminary, NJ. Sister also is trained in Laubach Literacy Tutoring.
In 1968 and 1969 Sr. Justine was elected as one of the sisters to represent the U.S. province at the special General Chapter in Rome, Italy. At the Chapter, elections were held for a new General Council. Sister Justine who is fluent in Italian was elected as the assistant to the new Mother General. She lived in Rome for the next 6 years. She travelled to each place where our sisters ministered. Chile, S.A., Cameroon, Africa, France, U.S., Cyprus, Gemona (Northern Italy).
Completing her responsibilities in Rome in 1975, Sister returned to the U.S. and served as the Co-Vicar for Religious in the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ until 1981 when she was elected as Assistant Provincial of the US Province for a six-year term. Our new congregation was formed in 1986 and Sr. Justine transferred to the Franciscan Sisters of Peace. Sister joined two other Sisters in a ministry to the poor in Americus, Georgia. As a part of her ministry, Sister Justine opened a preschool for African American children; conducted the RCIA program in the parish, and was an instructor for literacy volunteers of America. She also served as a board member for Habit for Humanity and was a member of the Council on Child Abuse.
Sister was asked to return to New York in 1990 to assist in the care of the retired sisters who had transferred to the Franciscan Sisters of Peace. Their residence was located at Sacred Heart Parish in Yonkers, NY. Sr. Justine lived there and managed that program until 2003. For the next ten years she resided at the FSP Center in Haverstraw as hospitality coordinator. In 2011 Sr. Justine retired and moved to Marian Woods in Hartsdale, NY where she continues as an active part of that intercommunity residence. She served as Sacristan for a number of years, continues to crochet baby sets, (about 100) and afghans, does sewing and fancy gift wrapping for many, and participates in preparing food for the Midnight Run.
Congratulations and “Pace et bene!” Peace and all good! 

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On December 15, 1942, six weeks earlier than expected, my mother gave birth to twin girls. My sister and I were named Kathleen and Eileen. We were only 3 pounds each, we have come a long way since then! After six years my sister, Peggy (Margaret Mary), arrived to complete our family.
We lived in West New York, N.J. and belonged to that famous Church, St. Joseph’s of the Palisades. It was the largest parish in the area with five schools and four churches/chapels. It was there that I acquired my love for the church, my faith, and my vocation. Having the Franciscan Sisters in school I saw in them something I desired in my life. After much deliberation, I entered their community on September 8, 1961. I was certainly living a different lifestyle than my friends but I knew God had led me to the right place.
After profession, each Sister was sent out to her missions or assignment. Most of us were assigned to a teaching position. I was sent to St. Leo’s School in Elmwood Park, NJ to teach 54 second grade students. It was very different from the life I had lived in the novitiate but very rewarding in my growth as a religious sister, teacher, and faith filled woman. I was later assigned to several different schools continuing my teaching career while living my life dedicated to God
Several years ago, I decided to step down from being a full-time teacher to a teacher’s aide/substitute. I am now a full-time teacher’s aide in St. Leo’s School (in Elmwood Park), where I first began my teaching journey. I have come full circle returning to where I began. My ministry has taken me to working with Pre-K 3-year old’s and also helping out with Pre-K 4-year old’s as well as Kindergarten children when needed. I love every minute of it. I work with individual children who need a little extra help, prepare for projects or do whatever the teacher needs assistance with at any given time.
I feel blessed that I can be a representative of Christ to these special adults and children with whom I minister. Teaching helps me stay focused on my core mission and helps me be effective at making a difference in people’s lives. I am incredibly grateful and feel privileged to have had this beautiful opportunity through my Franciscan vocation.

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As I reflect on my life as a Franciscan Sister of Peace, I am first drawn back to my early years and the inspiration of both my mother and grandmother, two faith-filled women. I was born in Jersey City, NJ to Dorothy (nee Voss) and Anton DeYoung, the second of four children, Anton, Dorothy, Barbara and Kenneth. My younger years were filled with many joy-filled moments along with sadness when life changed dramatically. The separation from and then later sudden loss of my father would disrupt the flow of life but my mom was determined to provide a safe, loving environment for her children. Her influence on my life is deeply rooted in my being and her strong faith impacted my life in ways that I continue to discover. My mom told me that I announced my desire to become a sister at the age of five…imagine that proclamation! Nevertheless, I pursued that desire and here I am sixty years later. The Franciscans were my high school teachers who inspired me just by who they were and, as a result, I chose to follow a Franciscan way of life. I graduated from Holy Family High School, Union City, NJ in 1960; Ladycliff College, Highland Falls, NY where I earned a BA degree in French/Education in 1971, and an MA degree in Education from Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY in 1975 followed by a post graduate certification in Administration. My Certifications in New York State include Permanent Certification in teaching grades N–8, French grades 7-12, Reading Specialist and Administration.
Early in my career, I spent many years teaching at a number of schools including St. Joseph’s, Bogota, NJ; Our Lady of Loretto, Cold Spring, NY; and St. Patrick’s, Yorktown Heights, NY. In addition, I served as a Child Care Worker in St. Joseph’s Home, Peekskill, NY. In the late seventies I was appointed Principal of St. Patrick’s, Yorktown Heights, NY where I had also taught for six years.
In 1985, I was named Assistant Administrator for our Congregation, soon to be established as the Franciscan Sisters of Peace, a Diocesan Institute, in 1986. In 1987 I was elected Congregation Minister for the Franciscan Sisters of Peace and served the community for eight years. Following those years in Administration I participated in the Career Options Program at Calvary Hospital, Bronx, NY in 1995. It was there that I completed my certification as a Cancer Care Technician and ministered to the terminally ill, a ministry that surely gifted me with much more than I could ever imagine.
It was in 1997 that I returned to the ministry of education and served as Principal of St. Margaret of Cortona School, Bronx, NY for ten years. While Principal I continued to teach at least one class a day in order to help me keep my perspective clear on the special role of teacher. Teaching has always been my passion so keeping my hand in it was no sacrifice!
In 2007, I felt called back to full-time teaching and ministered as a middle school Math teacher in Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Scarsdale, NY where I spent the next eight years. It was during those years that I was able to fully engage once again in what I cherished….teaching!
Then, in 2015, I would be elected once again to serve my community as Assistant Congregation Minister, during an extraordinary time in religious life in the United States. Ministering within my Congregation has gifted me with the wisdom, experience, faith, and joy of so many sisters who have led the way and for that I am truly grateful.

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The great depression was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world, lasting from 1929 to 1939. It began after the stock market crash of October 1929.
My parents, Ann Hughes and Thomas Kelleher, came to this country as Irish Immigrants and were seeking a better life than the one they had left behind. They married here in 1934 in the middle of the crash and took the jobs they could get at the time. My father was an unskilled laborer and my mother did a lot of house cleaning, both making very little money at the time.
They did the best they could in raising my older sisters, Mary and Veronica and then myself. My sisters married and raised their own families. I became familiar with the Franciscan Sisters in grammar school and St. Joseph’s Branch, Cathedral High School in New York City.
Witnessing the sacrifices, the Sisters made and the love they shared with everyone is what attracted me to want to join the Franciscan community. After graduating from St. Joseph’s High School, I worked a year at McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. on 42nd St. in NYC, prior to entering the convent. At that time, I also was enjoying a very social life outside of work and not entirely sure of my future plans.
In 1961, I decided to join the Franciscan Sisters of Peekskill, NY. where their Motherhouse also cared for underprivileged children. The first year as a Postulant, I was assigned to caring for the younger boys ages 5-6, about 30 in a group. As a Novice, my second year, I mostly prayed and studied. After that, while attending Ladycliff College on weekends and in the summers, I began my teaching career, beginning with 56 first graders in Bogota, NJ. Over the years, I continued teaching in grammar school at St. Joseph’s West New York, NJ, St. Joseph’s Greenwich Village, NYC and St. James, Totowa, NJ. Upon receiving my Master’s degree in Education and certification in Educational Administration and Supervision from Manhattan College, I taught at Ladycliff College, Highland Falls, NY, for 3 years until the college closed in 1981. I was then assigned as Principal at the Assisium High School in NYC. Upon the closing of the Assisium I accepted the position as provincial secretary at our Motherhouse in Peekskill, NY. After another 5 years, I became Principal at St. Columbanus elementary school, Cortlandt Manor, NY. Thirteen years later I decided to change careers and became Coordinator for a Religious Education Program at Holy Innocents Parish in Pleasantville, NY and later at St. Augustine’s Parish in Larchmont, NY. I then began working at the Salesian Congregation’s Development Program in New Rochelle, NY. After a year working there, my community, the Franciscan Sisters of Peace, asked me to accept the position as Development and Communications person for our community. I am presently in my 11th year in this position and truly feel and appreciate the love and compassion shared by our Benefactors. Our Sisters remember them in prayer every day.
Religious life has given me the gift of living and working closely with many caring and loving women religious. It has also afforded me the wonderful opportunity of making many friends and acquaintances outside of the convent through my various ministries. I still keep in touch, mostly through Christmas cards, with many of these wonderful people.
Looking back at my time in ministry, so much of who I thought I was, has changed. As I have grown into the person I am today, I know this is due to the people, places and experiences that have gifted me with their stories and lessons. I am incredibly grateful for those people in my life. I continue to learn from all my experiences in more ways than I could have ever expected. I pray every day in thanksgiving for the many graces that I have received and for the friends I have made over the years–including each of you reading this. Pax et Bonum!

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I was born on the Upper West Side of Manhattan to Mary and Chris O’Farrell, my nurturing and loving parents. My older sister Eileen, my best friend, communicates with me every day. At a very early age I was educated on the horrors of hatred and violence. My neighbors who were Jewish showed me the numbers that had been branded on their arms while being imprisoned at Auschwitz and other concentration camps. After World War 2 they immigrated to New York where they were able to practice their faith freely, attain lucrative careers and be active members of the Upper West Side Community. These faith-filled people are remembered each day in my prayers.
I attended Ascension Grammar School and Cathedral High School. It was at Cathedral that I met Franciscan Sisters. Through their influence and guidance, I felt God was calling me to Religious Life. I have a deep love and devotion to Saint Francis who embraced poverty, reverenced the earth and her creatures, and radiated peace to all whom he encountered. After profession I earned a Bachelors degree in Spanish and Education and a Masters in Religious Studies which helped greatly in my ministries.
In the early to mid-1960’s I taught at 2 Grammar Schools in New Jersey and returned to New York and taught at. St. Joseph’s Branch of Cathedral High School and La Salle High School. Some students are still in touch with me. What a joy it is to know that they are happy and well. One of these students who was an emergency room nurse died from complications of Aids. He was a member of the Music Ministry at St. Francis Xavier Church. His gentleness and kindness touched many lives.
During the 1980’s, the height of the Aids epidemic, I was a volunteer at the Gay Men’s Health Crisis. As a member of their “Buddy” program I visited these men three times a week and helped them with whatever they needed. Donald, a gifted artist who was Catholic was denied a viewing at the time of his death by the funeral homes in the area with the exception of Redden’s. May God always bless Redden’s for their empathy during this very sad and tragic time.
After teaching for over twenty years I pursued Parish Ministry. I was pastoral Associate at three churches. Two in Manhattan and one in South Carolina. Saint James located in Ritter, S.C. known as “Catholic Hill” is an African-American parish with a rich history. Originally built by Irish plantation owners for their slaves. The Civil War caused them to vacate the property. Africans sold into the plantations were baptized by their owners. They freed slaves. At the time there was no priest but the people continued the religious education program and held prayer services. St. James is an authentically Black Catholic Church. The cemetery next to the church is a testament to that fact. The present parishioners at “Catholic Hill” helped deepen and strengthen my faith. What a privilege it was serving these faith-filled people!
In the early 90’s I went on a sabbatical to a Poor Clare Monastery in South Carolina where I lived according to the Franciscan Rule of Hermitage. I thank the Poor Clare’s’ for their spiritual mentorship, love and kindness to me at that time.
The Dwelling Place in Manhattan is a shelter for homeless women. I ministered there for six years with four other women religious. As a case worker to these women I entered into their pain, sorrow and loneliness and rejoiced with them when they were accepted into permanent housing. These special women are always in my prayers.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church was an important part of my ministerial life for many years. There I offered bereavement sessions, RCIA classes, Hospital visits and made myself available wherever there was a need.
I retired from Our Lady of Lourdes Church in March of 2020. However, I am still connected with the members of the Senior Club. Hopefully, we will be able to connect physically soon and continue to pray and play.
When the convent closed, which also held Our Lady of Lourdes church offices, Henrick and Lenny the “working cats” there, were informed that their services were no longer needed. I refused to bring these hard-working cats to a shelter. Today, Henrick age 19 and Lenny age 16 are living happily in retirement with me.
During the 1980’s I enrolled in a Doll-Making course. We were required to create our own doll. I made a cloth doll that symbolized peace. On the card attached to the doll is the Logo of the Franciscan Sisters of Peace and the Prayer of Saint Francis. Our Peace dolls now reside with their owners in the US and internationally. Anyone interested in having a Peace Doll may contact us at dirdev@fspnet.org.  Small donations for the Franciscan Sisters for the doll are welcome. The arms of our dolls are extended as a gesture of Peace to all whom they encounter. May we also be instruments of God’s peace to one another.

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My life’s journey began in the Chelsea section of Manhattan, New York when I was born the seventh of eleven children to Mary and John Sullivan. My given name was Arlene Mary. In order of birth we were: Johnny, Jimmy, Kenneth, Francis, Elaine, Rosemary, Arlene, Patsy, Peggy, Gerard and Billy. My brother Francis died on October 4th, (feast of St. Francis), at the age of 10 months. My mother always told us that we had our very own angel watching over us. He was a busy angel!
My parents were firm believers in Catholic education so my siblings and I attended St. Francis Xavier elementary school and the Catholic high school of our choice. I attended St. Joseph’s Branch of Cathedral High School and had an after-school job to help pay the tuition. My parents were the inspiration for my religious vocation. They made many sacrifices to raise a large family in a railroad apartment in New York City. They often did without so that their children had what they needed.
It was in high school that I met the Franciscan Sisters who radiated joy and compassion, were down to earth and lived a simple lifestyle. I was attracted to their congregation and began to consider becoming a member of it. It was in my senior year that I decided to enter their novitiate and my parents were very happy when I shared that with them. My father said, “follow your heart and do what your heart tells you.”
My three older brothers on the other hand, tried hard to talk me out of my decision. I knew they loved me and wanted what was best for me but thought it was too great a sacrifice for a young girl to make. My sisters were very supportive and happy. A week before I was to enter the novitiate on September 8, 1961, my oldest brother told my mother he would be happy to go with her a week after my entrance to bring me home. When I heard this I asked him, “Why would you say something like that?’ He replied “Arlene, you love music, you love to dance, you love life, you’ll never make it in the convent.” I replied, “We’ll see!” After profession I was assigned to the ministry of education. I earned a BA degree from Ladycliff College, NY and later a Masters Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Seton Hall University, NJ.
My early years were spent teaching grammar and junior high school students in Cor Jesu School, West New York; Holy Family School, Union City, and St. James School, Totowa–all in New Jersey. Teaching and interacting with junior high students was definitely my passion!
In 1976, I was asked to assume responsibility as Principal at St. Anthony Elementary School in Butler, NJ and later at St. Leo School Elmwood Park, NJ. As Principal in both schools I had the opportunity to work with so many dedicated, faith-filled, excellent teachers, some religious and many lay persons. They made my job so much easier. It was also a joy to watch children grow and develop academically, socially and spiritually.
In 2007 I was elected to Community Leadership as Assistant Congregation Minister and had to leave education and spend the next four years in community service. It was a very different but rewarding ministry. The past 60 years have been an incredible journey and one that I would gladly do over again.
Currently I minister as an Administrative Assistant at St. Joseph Parish in Bogota, NJ where I enjoy interacting with parishioners, doing the tasks of a secretary, and being a presence to the people. My life has truly been enriched by the people the Lord has put in my path–my wonderful family, the Franciscan Sisters community, the children, teachers, parents and parishioners I’ve encountered throughout these years. I am a Franciscan with a grateful heart and one who still loves music, loves to dance and loves life!

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