In Loving Memory...

Sister M. William Joseph, CSC
(Mary Agnes O’Connor)
Birth: December 23, 1911
Profession: August 15, 1936
Death: February 12, 2006

Sister William Joseph, Mary Agnes O’Connor, was a native of Chicago, Illinois. She was born December 23, 1911, to David O’Connor and Nellie O’Leary. There were nine children in the family. Her eight siblings preceded her in death. A brother, William, became a priest, but died from an illness at the age of 26. Mary Agnes entered the Congregation shortly after his death. One nephew and several nieces survive her. While growing up, the O’Connor family and the family of Sister Rosita (Gleason), now deceased, were good friends.

Mary Agnes graduated from Saint Theodore’s Parish School in Chicago. Following her graduation she successfully completed the commercial course at Lindbloom High School. With that background she had no problem finding a position in an office after graduation. As a member of the Congregation she earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Saint Mary’s College.

Mary Agnes learned about Holy Cross through Father Kearns, her pastor, and his sisters, Sister M. Lucretia and Sister M. Rita, CSC. She was among several young women interested in religious life, who were members of the Sorrowful Mother Guild, started by Sister Rafaelia.

She was received into the Congregation August 15, 1934, and given the name Sister M. William Joseph. She made first vows in 1936 and final profession in 1939.

Fifty-two years of her life were devoted to Catholic elementary schools in Indiana and Illinois. Thirty-four years were as a classroom teacher and 18 as school secretary and office assistant.

Sister’s school ministries took her to the dioceses of Rockford, Joliet and Peoria in Illinois and to the dioceses of Gary, Fort Wayne-South Bend and Lafayette in Indiana. Her last mission was Saint Thomas the Apostle School, Elkhart, where she served as school secretary and office assistant for 18 years.

When Sister retired from school-connected work and returned to Saint Mary’s, she prepared for Mass and other liturgical events in Christ the King Chapel in Saint Mary’s Convent. Later she had the same task in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto. Sister was active in the ministry of prayer until her death.

Sister’s prayerfulness, sense of humor, love of reading, movies – especially ones with small children, were some of the qualities recalled by her friends as they remembered her. Perhaps the biggest thrill of her life was going to Medjugorie several years ago. The experience of just being there in the midst of so many praying people was exciting. Although she witnessed no miracles while there, she felt she had received many graces.

Finally, among some of the family pictures and memorabilia of Sister’s, the following poem, which she wrote as a tribute to her father, was found:

Under the leafy poplar tree
A friend to all he stands
My dad, a generous man is he,
With large and helping hands.
The children coming home from school
Will never fail to stop
To play with him, and him they fool
E’en though he is a cop.

God came quietly and peacefully to take Sister William Joseph to himself late Sunday evening, February 12. May she rest in peace.

Written by Sister M. Thomas Anne Haugh, CSC

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry With the Poor Fund, Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556.