Four centuries of promises kept
L-R Sr. Joan Markey, Sr. Mary Jean Warmuth, Sr. Jane Conway, Sr. RoseAnn Cappola (of the Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur) and Sr. Bernadette Cappola, OSC, (Sr. RoseAnn's twin) from the Poor Clare Sisters Monastery in South Carolina celebrate the anniversary of their vows to consecrated life at Our Lady of Victory Center, Thursday August 15, 2024. (NTC/Rodger Mallison)
FORT WORTH — At an age when most people are well into retirement, members of the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur are still making a difference in the lives of the poor, the vulnerable, and those needing prayer or a kind word. Four dedicated members of the religious community in Fort Worth, and one visiting sister from Buffalo, New York, were honored for their decades of work in social and pastoral ministries during a Jubilee Mass celebrated on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, in the Our Lady of Victory Center chapel.
Sister Jane Conway, Sister Joan Markey, Sister Dorothy Powers, and Sister Mary Jean Warmuth entered the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur 70 years ago on August 12, 1954. Sister RoseAnn Cappola joined the religious order’s eastern province in Buffalo in 1964 and spent the next 60 years as a SSMN. She is currently part of a three-person team managing the OLV Center.
Included in the gathering was Sr. RoseAnn’s twin, Sister Bernadette Cappola, who entered the SSMNs with her sibling but is now a member of the Poor Clare’s religious community in Traveler’s Rest, South Carolina.
Together, the sisters have provided 400 years of selfless service in the classroom, health care, and missions. They are part of an historic legacy that began in Belgium in 1819 with the establishment of schools and academies and continued in New York and Texas where the missionaries educated youngsters and cared for America’s growing immigrant population.
Modeling Mary to others
“Seventy and 60 years ago these sisters professed vows, kept those promises, and continue to do that every day,” said Father John Shanahan, TOR, welcoming the small group of guests to the morning liturgy. “They breathe God’s breath in and out while doing God’s work.”
In his homily, Father Ken Robinson, who concelebrated the Mass with Fr. Shanahan, recalled for the congregation a childhood memory of seeing the Sisters of St. Mary on the Shaw St. convent grounds. His grandmother lived nearby.
“I never had the nerve to say anything to them but that model and example to the world makes all the difference,” explained the priest, who was raised Southern Baptist. “They are a profound influence. What a joy that we are gathered on this Feast of the Assumption to celebrate these anniversaries of consecration, in particular, consecration under the auspices of Christ through his Blessed Mother.”
Just as Mary is the model of faithful discipleship for others, so too are the Sisters of St. Mary, he added.
“You’ve chosen willingly and unconditionally each and every day to say yes to the Lord,” Fr. Robinson continued, addressing the honorees. “Thank you for your witness through all these years.”
The chaplain at St. Francis Village ended his remarks by suggesting his listeners recite Mary’s prayer in its simplest form. “Lord, for all that has been, I give you thanks. For all that will be, I say yes!”
Following the homily, the jubilarians renewed their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience along with a promise “to live, pray, and work in the congregation and to do whatever is asked of me wherever I am sent.”
Sister Yolanda Cruz, SSMN, felt blessed to join her fellow sisters for the jubilee observance. Her congregation helped found the University of Dallas, where she is a professor of applied ministry.
“UD is one of the foundations of the Sisters of St. Mary and I’m continuing that legacy — a legacy of the women we’re celebrating today,” she enthused. “I’m overjoyed to see each one of them and acknowledge what they have done and the lives they’ve impacted.”
Members of SSMN auxiliary and other friends hosted a luncheon after the Jubilee Mass. Lisa Losoya wanted to make the day special.
“I’m so proud of my nuns,” she said. “They believe in their mission and I believe in their mission, too. I do the best I can to help them.”
Sister Dorothy Powers
Looking back on 70 years of religious life, Sr. Dorothy Powers said one of the greatest joys of working in Hispanic ministry were the insights and worldview gleaned from immersing herself in another culture.
“It broadened my vision of God,” explained the Fort Worth native who was “adopted” by a Mexico City family while honing her skills in Spanish language and literature. “I worked with Spanish-speaking people for quite awhile. It was wonderful to experience the hospitality, welcome, and enthusiasm that culture is so famous for.”
A former Spanish teacher at Nolan Catholic High School, the educator went on to become principal at elementary schools in Fort Worth and Wichita Falls before returning to Mexico to co-found a SSMN mission with Sister Gabriela Martinez. Their ministry offered literacy classes, faith formation instruction, and Scripture study groups.
Asked what is the most gratifying part of being a religious sister for so many years, Sr. Dorothy cited the companionship of people who share common values and mission to spread the Good News.
“We’re vibrantly alive, happy people,” she affirmed.
Sister Mary Jean Warmuth
For Sister Mary Jean Warmuth, happy times often involved visiting with some of the hundreds of students she taught over the years.
“I love little children and my greatest adventure every year was meeting a new group — a new class,” said the University of Dallas graduate. “I’ve received telephone calls and visits from a number of my former students. It’s always a pleasure and they always tell me stories I had forgotten about myself.”
Earlier in the year, three students from the very first class Sr. Mary Jean taught at St. Alice (now Holy Family) School in 1957 came to the Our Lady of Victory Center to reminisce with their first grade teacher.
“It was a thrill beyond measure because I’ve often wondered about them,” said the educator who still remembered their names 67 years later.
Sr. Mary Jean’s vocation as a first grade teacher was heartfelt but she eventually felt the need for a change.
“So I asked to take an LVN course at (the now closed) St. Joseph Hospital and go into nursing, she continued. “I went into it with a little fear and trepidation but it was a good experience.”
For the next seven years, the newly trained nurse worked in the surgical department or wherever needed.
“I was able to have conversations with adults and it was wonderful,” said the primary school veteran who eventually returned to the classroom. “I just loved the kids and the camaraderie with the faculty.”
Sister Jane Conway
Sister Jane Conway spent most of the past 70 years touching the lives of people through music. The skilled pianist/organist first became acquainted with the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur while attending St. Edward Academy in Dallas as a first grader. When the family moved to Fort Worth, she enrolled at another SSMN school, Our Lady of Victory Academy, and joined the religious community after graduating in 1954.
Her skill as a pianist and organist was a gift appreciated and nurtured by the sisters.
“My entire life has been teaching music,” explained Sr. Jane who earned her undergraduate degree at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and later a master’s degree from Indiana University. “A favorite memory is seeing students begin to understand how a piece of music can sound.”
As a novice, she had the opportunity to live in Belgium and study music at the Conservatory in Antwerp.
The accomplished musician taught at OLV Academy and Nolan Catholic High School when it opened in 1961. At the University of St. Thomas in Houston, she chaired the music department and was an instructor in applied music, theory, and chamber music.
Today, Sr. Jane continues to provide liturgical music for Mass and prayer services at the Our Lady of Victory Center.
“I’m grateful to have lived with the people who are still here and the ones that have gone before us,” she said reflecting on her life in the religious community.
Sister Joan Markey
A 1954 graduate of the Academy of Mary Immaculate in Wichita Falls, a young Joan Markey was drawn to the charism of the Sisters of St. Mary who taught her.
“I was a voracious reader and the sisters encouraged that,” she remembered. “They helped me learn and grow.”
Deciding to become a teacher like her mentors, Sr. Joan joined the religious order after high school graduation with the goal of making a difference in the lives of children. She went on to earn undergraduate and advanced degrees in English from the University of Dallas and Rice University and a master’s degree in library science from the University of North Texas. Her variety of assignments at SSMN schools include teaching English at Nolan Catholic High School, the University of St. Thomas, and the University of Tulsa.
From 1996 to 2002, the accomplished administrator served as provincial for her community.
“The sisters I live with love God and are so joyful,” said Sr. Joan, describing one of the gifts of religious life. “Sister Rita Clare goes out in the yard and brings back one green bean. That’s her harvest for the day and she shares it with such joy. The sisters are so giving.”
Visiting sisters
Identical twins and Lockport, New York natives Sr. RoseAnn and Sr. Bernadette were pleased to celebrate their jubilee together in Texas.
“I knew it was the vocation for me,” said Sr. Bernadette who became intrigued by religious women at age seven. “I loved the Sisters of St. Mary for 34 years and I’ve loved the Poor Clares for 26.”
As part of a Franciscan-inspired monastic community, she spends her time serving others as a spiritual director and in contemplative prayer.