“I am the Good Shepherd. I lay down my life for my sheep.” As the body of Sister Mary Dolores lies in state, we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday. What could be more appropriate? This is a woman religious who asked God daily to be able to live and die for the good of the flock. Born Helen Fauth, the daughter of Anthony and Mary, and sibling to Ann and Paul, she was baptized, nurtured and educated at St. Martin Parish in the West End , where she later returned to complete her ministerial life, in the capacity of Director of Religious Education and Parish Minister. From the earliest days of her formation years, it was clear that Sister Mary Dolores was a born teacher. She later obtained a Master's Degree in Education and did post-graduate work in Administration at the University of Dayton . The real proof of her skill, however, is the testimony of many students whom she shepherded in Overbrook, McKeesport , Glenshaw and many other schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, either as teacher or principal. Though small in stature, she was a mighty influence on her students and was also noted for her wisdom and administrative capability as a Principal. Vowed life was central to her apostolic spirituality, and that was especially true of her theology and practice of the vow of poverty. This stemmed from her natural sense of good stewardship and her devotion to the common life. She understood that our common simplicity of life also gave us the capability for outreach to the poor. In her final shepherding as parish minister, the needs of the poor always came first. She will be missed in community for her involvement in community events. She was always present with us in times of fun and in Assemblies, Jubilee Celebrations, or our Oktoberfest, where she was normally found helping to organize the display of crafts. One of the basic characteristics of a good shepherd is love for the people served, in a very practical, caring way. That love now gains for Sister Mary Dolores union with the Eternal Shepherd Who leads her into the joy of the Promised Land. Feast Day: September 15 SMJC
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