Guest Book: Memories of the Maryknoll Sisters

Many years ago when I was a child my parents had a hotel in Guadalupe, California.  The name of the hotel was the Commercial Hotel and we had it from 1947-1954.  My parents names were Philip R. McCormick and Mildred M. McCormick.  We lived on Hyw 1 just down from the Maryknoll convent that was also on Hyw 1. The convent was on the East side of the road that went through town and our home was just down from the firestation on the West side of the road.  My twin brother and I went to St. Mary's Catholic School in Santa Maria, CA, but during the summer time, I when to the catechism classes that the sisters taught at the parish in Guadalupe, Our Lady of Guadalupe.  I enjoyed that classes every much and it was during that time that I started thinking about how the sisters really gave their lives to the service of the Church and the people in the church.  It was because of the good example of the sisters that I later in my life decided to become a priest.  Our family moved back to the small town in California where I and my brother Michael were born so found ourselves in the Diocese of Fresno.

I want to thank the Maryknoll Sisters for the wonderful example they were to all of us in Guadalupe.  I am sure that many of the sisters there were taking some "R" and "R" from the time in the missions yet they still were teaching the faith by word and example.

May God bless you for the past 100 years and may the Lord condinue to bless you and all with you in the missions of the world.

Msgr. Patrick J. McCormick , Pastor of St. Patrick's in Merced, CA

The Maryknoll Sisters have been a blessing to me and my family.  The gentle care and modeling of being a good citizen are so important.  I truly believe that part of who I am comes from my relationship with the Sisters.  I am forever grateful for all that they have done to help make me who I am.

Shana Campos Tong

Dear Sisters,

Congratulations on 100 years of outstanding service to Hawaii's Catholic Schools.  Your gifts and presence are a constant reminder of who we are as a Catholic Community and whose footsteps we follow.  Because of your mission and what it means to us, I am always humbly grateful and proud to say that I am a Maryknoll Educator.

For all you do, thank you!

Sincerely,

Theresa Martin

Maryknoll School

Dear Sisters,

Congratulations to all on your collective achievement of this important anniversary.  Thank you for giving me a chance to share in your rich legacy of excellence in education and service.  My earliest memories are of a group of poised ladies who will always be rememberd for their grace, their scholarship and their devotion to the concept of "la noblesse oblige."  So many good memories surge forth - from working in the day-to-day world in Honolulu under Principal Sr. Ann Callahan to being chauffered about by Sr. Agnes in Ossining - all, a loving tapistery of devotion.  

Ce n'est pas un adieu, ce n'est qu'un aurevoir...

Glenn Silva, French teacher

My aunt, Sr. Elenita Barry taught in Hawaii in the 60's.  I was in grade school (at Sacred Heart Grammar school in Vineland NJ), and corresponded with my aunt frequently.  She asked me if I would like a PenPal from Hawaii and at the end of the year gave me the name and address of her student, Susan Saka. 

Susan and I corresponded for 18 years before actually meeting!  We still keep in touch, some 40+ years later - albeit mostly by email now.  

Sr. Elenita's soul went back to God's loving arms on November 30th, 2011 at the age of 104! 

Bless ALL the Maryknoll sisters - and the lives of all they touch. 

CONGRATULATIONS on 100 yrs!

Laura Barry

www.Laurabarry.org

Aloha Maryknoll Sisters,

It was a pleasure to have been able to witness your legislative recognition last week. All the while the congratulatory remarks kept surfacing on the floor, it became more evident with each commentary how you have made God's love visible in Hawai`i and the world. But more remarkable was the humility in which you received this recognition. As I continue to learn more about the Maryknoll charism I am touched by your great legacy of giving, servanthood, selflessness, and mission. May your blessings continue to be abundant. With much gratitude.

Christopher Casupang
Maryknoll Campus Ministry

I have so many fond memories of being taught by the Maryknoll Sisters.  Back in the 70's-80's we had quite a few on campus:  Sr. Teresita, Sr. Alma Virginia, Sr. Irene, Sr. Timothy Marie, Sr. Maria Cordis were my teachers.  I remember all of their wonderful stories, their strengh, and how they taught us about serving each other and God.  

My most fondest memories are of Sr. Timothy Marie, my 4th grade teacher.  I was her official bulletin board helper, because I was taller than she was and could reach the high bulletin board.  She would take me out of class in 5th and 6th grade to continue to create bulletin boards.  She even "snuck" our class into the convent so that we could see where she lived.  She was my inspiration to be the teacher that I am today.  Each day when I am on campus at the Grade School I am reminded of these wonderful women, the "Sisters", who taught me so many things and were the heart of Maryknoll School.  

Congratulations, Maryknoll Sisters, on 100 memorable years!

Christine Mattos Loomis '85 & Maryknoll Faculty member

My blessing is that the Maryknoll Sisters welcomed me into their hearts, their minds and their soul.  I know they include us in their prayers, as we kept them in ours.

I am shouting out my fondest ALOHA to all the Sisters living at the Mother House in Ossining. To you who I've not yet met, and to you who I cherish so deeply in my heart,  Sr. Marie Patrice Kehoe.  We celebrate this year together in memory of all those good times shared here in Hawaii.

And to our special friends her in Hawaii, Sr. Rosario & Sr. Joan,  a hui hou!   Love, Cyndi.

I have been asked on numerous occasions, "Why public service?" A large part of my personal response and inspiration is the role modelling of strong, female leadership that I saw and grew up with through my education at Maryknoll School and the influence of the Maryknoll sisters felt throughout all of my Maryknoll School experiences.  The emphasis on community, on capacity building, on having and fulfilling your responsibilities to bettering one's community -- these are the legacies of the Maryknoll sisters.  Mahalo for inspiring generations of leaders in our great State!

Della Au Belatti '92

It has been a humbling experience to be able to share to the senior students of Maryknoll School, the life - the joys, the challenges, as well as the achievements of the Maryknoll founders, Mother Mary Joseph, Bishop James Walsh & Fr. Frederick Price. Their influence brought together thousands of religious, missioners and affiliates who ventured to the Third World countries not only to spread the Good News, but to help improve the lives of the people.

Our founders' genuine concern for humankind both nationally and globally has given a more profound meaning towards the students' desire and determination to uphold the school motto, "Noblesse Oblige" - To Whom Much is Given, Much is Expected.

Indeed, it is a great priviliege to be  part of the Maryknoll community. The Maryknoll charism of service and mission has provided in me a more authentic and  a deeper perspective of "Love for God, love for neighbor, love for oneself." 

Sincerely,

Suzeth Carreon

Aloha Maryknoll Sisters,

I feel honored to be a part of the Maryknoll family and to be given the opportunity to help keep the flame of the Maryknoll mission burning here at Maryknoll School. Thank you for continuing to inspire our students and teachers to make God's love visible in all that we do.

Sincerely,

Glenn

Having the pleasure of meeting some of the wonderful Maryknoll Sisters has greatly impacted my life. I feel so grateful to have met some of the wonderful Sisters: Sister Joan, Sister Isabelle and Sister Rosario have a knack for brightening my day when I see them. I would like to wish all the Maryknoll Sisters, past and present, a joyous centennial year celebration, and best wishes for the next 100 years of giving and receiving God's amazing love!