Sister Anne Louise Fitzpatrick, RSM
Please join in praying for the repose of the soul of Sister Anne Louise Fitzpatrick, RSM, a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas who died June 2, 2023.
Born in Houlton on April 12, 1941, Sister Anne was the daughter of Eugene and Virginia Fitzpatrick.
She graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in Portland in 1959 and entered the Sisters of Mercy that same year. She earned a bachelor's degree from Saint Joseph's College of Maine in Standish and then a master's degree in theology from Providence College in Rhode Island.
Sister Anne served as director of religious education for several parishes and then as the Director of Region One for the Diocesan Office of Catechetics. She also served on many boards and councils including the Diocesan Board of Religious Education, Diocesan Ecumenical Board, Advisory Council of Women Religious, the Pastoral Ministry Team, and Mercy Life Team. She also served as director of novices and formation and director of Mercy Associates for her community, and she was a member of the General Council.
In 1980, Sister Anne was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but she continued to live a productive life even when confined to a wheelchair. Her Irish smile always shown brightly. Sister Anne received the Remember ME Award from the State of Maine in recognition of her ministry and kindness with the nursing home residents during her time living at St. Joseph's Rehabilitation & Residence.
Sister Therese Toussaint, p.m.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Therese Toussaint, a member of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, who died on May 25, 2023, at the age of 89.
Sister Therese was born in Lewiston on September 17, 1933, to Ernest and Lydia Toussaint. She professed vows with the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary on February 2, 1954.
Sister spent many years as a cook for the sisters, serving in communities in Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts. She also worked with children at the Presentation of Mary preschool and taught religious education in Lawrence, Mass., served as a local superior, was a seamstress, and made rosaries out of rose petals in the Rosary Boutique.
Please pray for Sister Therese and for her family members and friends, included five sisters who survive her.
Father Theodore Letendre, FIC
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Brother Theodore Letendre, a member of the Brothers of Christian Instruction, who died on May 5, 2023, at the age of 83.
Born in Fall River, Mass., in 1940, he began his religious formation on the campus of Notre Dame Institute in Alfred in 1953 and made his final vows as a Brother of Christian Instruction in 1964.
He began his teaching career at Denis Hall Junior High School in Alfred, then served as a guidance counselor in Fall River.
After receiving his master's degree in counseling and psychology, he became director of admissions and campus minister at Walsh College (now University) in Canton, Ohio. He then became director of the Brothers' Mission of the Risen Lord in West Virginia.
In 1995, he was chosen to serve the chaplaincy needs of the community and began studies for the priesthood. Bishop Joseph Gerry, OSB, ordained him on August 9, 1997, and from that point until 2008, he was the chaplain and director of the Notre Dame Spiritual Center in Alfred. For several years, he also served as chaplain at the University of New England in Biddeford and the York County Jail in Alfred.
Father Ted loved people. He was always willing to lend a helping hand or listen to someone who needed to talk. He continued to offer Mass in the brothers’ chapel in Alfred up to the end, when his health allowed. He will be greatly missed by the brothers and the community that formed around Alfred.
The reception of Father Ted's body will be on Thursday, May 18 at 3 p.m. in the Brothers' Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in Alfred. The wake will follow from 3 to 7 p.m. with a wake service at 6:30 p.m. Bishop Robert Deeley will celebrate Brother Ted's funeral Mass on Friday, May 19, at 10:30 a.m. at the brothers' chapel. Burial will follow immediately in the brothers’ cemetery on the property.
Please remember in your prayers the Brothers of Christian Instruction, Father Ted’s family, and his many friends.
May his soul and the soul of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
Sister Sylvia Comer, RSM
Please pray for the repose of he soul of Sister Sylvia Comer, a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, who passed away on March 25, 2023, at the age of 92.
Born in Bangor to Patrick Comer and Emily Mary Taylor, Sister Sylvia entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1947.
She went on to teach first grade at Holy Cross School in South Portland, St. Edward's School in Bar Harbor, and Sacred Heart School in Portland. She also taught religion for 10 years at what is now the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland.
After receiving a master's degree in religious studies from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Sister Sylvia became diocesan coordinator, training religious educators in the diocese. She then served as a pastoral minister at St. Joseph Church in Gardiner.
Sister Sylvia was then named formation director for the Sisters of Mercy, where she served for 11 years. She then obtained a second master's degree in sacred theology from Regis College in Toronto. She was assigned to Saint Joseph's College of Maine in Standish as the director of the religious certification program for the diocese, while teaching in the theology department parttime. She would later serve as co-chaplain, along with a priest on campus. Sister Syliva retired from Saint Joseph's College in 2017, after 30 years there.
Sister Janice Murphy, RSM
Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Sr. Janice Murphy, a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, who died peacefully on February 23, 2023. She was 83 years old.
Born in Portland in 1941, Sister Jance was the daughter of Patrick J. and Margaret McDonough Murphy. She grew up on Munjoy Hill, and in 1962, she entered the Sisters of Mercy.
Sister received a B.S. in education from Saint Joseph's College of Maine and spent years doing pastoral work and teaching religion. She also worked for Catholic Charities at Holy Innocents Home Care in Portland and spent three years working at Mercy Hospital in Portland. Her next phase of ministry was as a teacher in several Catholic schools, including St. Jsoeph, St. Patrick and Cathedral Elementary School in Portland and St. Mary School in Biddeford. Her concentration in graduate work was pastoral work and spirituality. She ministered as a pastoral associate at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Presque Isle, St. Louis in Limestone, St. Joseph in Eastport, Sacred Heart in Lubec and St. Ann in Eastport, where she spent her last days in full-time active ministry.
Sister Janice was a generous, caring, loving person who loved life and enjoyed entertaining people. Irish through and through, she could tell a good story!
lease keep in your prayers the loved one she leaves behind, her religious community, her natural family, her beloved Passamaquoddy people and her many friends.
May her soul and the soul of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
