We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved Then Jesus said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me, welcomes the One who sent me. For the lowliest among you is the greatest.” Authors often describe amiable older people as having a twinkle in their eye. Sister Monica was the embodiment of this description. She was a wonderful lady whose demeanor was always pleasant, whose words were always laced with good humor, whose attitude was always positive. If you greeted her when you met her, and asked her how she was, she inevitably replied: “If I were any better, I couldn't stand it!” Sister Monica was born in England and came to the United States as a very young child. She was fond of relating her experiences on the ship, including getting lost and being placated with candy by the crewmembers until her family discovered her whereabouts, and came to her rescue. The transition from England to the United States was not always easy, but she and her siblings came to like their life here and began to feel quite at home. Early on in 1937, Sister Monica was persuaded by a friend to go to the local convent for an interview with the Principal. The result was that both young women made a decision to enter the Community. Sister Monica's mother told her not to worry about the $100 needed for the dowry. “If you really want to go, I'll handle Dad.” And so it was that on August 15, 1937 , Sister Monica came to Providence Heights to begin her journey as a Sister of Divine Providence. When Sister Monica was a very, very young Sister, she was sitting with her fellow Sisters, listening to the instructions from their Juniorate Mistress. The Mistress was discussing ways to grow in holiness, and in closeness to God. Sister Monica, in innocent candor, asked, “Don't you just automatically get holy when you get old?” There was a great deal of laughter that afternoon. But in Sister Monica's case, the answer may well be, “Yes, you do automatically get holy as you get older,” for those who knew her well can attest to the truth, that she grew daily in appreciation of her beloved Jesus, and of His Mother as well. She loved teaching the little children, and later, loved working with them in the library. Whatever task was hers - teacher, principal, librarian - she performed it to the very best of her ability; cheerfully and gladly. She went wherever the Community asked her to go, whether to Wisconsin to study; to Massachusetts to work in the summer camp; to Toner Institute to work with boys with serious problems. And she was kind to her fellow Sisters, taking a special interest in the younger Sisters with whom she lived. In her last days, when even praying was more than she could do, still she clung to her rosary, to the very end. Yes, Sister Monica, you did automatically grow holier and holier as you grew in wisdom and grace. The Sisters of Divine Providence are the better for having walked a part of their journey in your company. It is our hope that you will continue to walk with us, obtaining for us the graces we need to further our mission to make Providence more visible in this world. Birthday: April 8 SJA |
