60 Years
Sr. Philomena Agudo, fmm
Sr. Philomena Agudo entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary September 13,1949 at Tagatay, Philippines . After her first profession of vows, March 19, 1952, she taught at Our Lady of Loretto Academy in Legarda, Manila. She also did catechetical work in the public schools and found time every Saturday to minister to the prisoners at the National Penitentiary. She pronounced her final vows March 19, 1955 in Tagatay. She was appointed principal of Our Lady of Loretto Academy , Manila in 1955. Seven years later Philomena was sent to Cebu City to establish Stella Mans School, which included kindergarten to Secondary classes. In 1964 she was missioned to Djakarta, Indonesia where she was assigned as principal of Regina Pads International School (a secondary school for children of diplomats). In 1967 she was appointed Juniorate Mistress in Bogor, Indonesia. Two years later she became a part-time counselor at Churches’ Counseling Center in Singapore. Philomena showed her gift of organization in 1970 when she became directress of Hal Sing Dewasa Commercial School for girls.
Sr. Philomena was sent in mission to the United States to study at Boston University. She graduated in 1975 with a Doctorate degree in Pastoral Psychology and Counseling (PhD).
Her present ministries are counseling, retreat direction, spiritual direction and conducting Scripture classes.
Sr. Mary Blanche Dalton, fmm
Since 1975, Mary Blanche Dalton has served as the provincial secretary. Besides the English language, she is fluent in French and Japanese. Because of her gift of language she has served as a simultaneous translator at many of the General Chapters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary that have been held in Grottaferata, Italy.
Sr. Agnes Kozak, fmm
Sr. Agnes Kozak, entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in North Providence, December 13, 1949. After pronouncing first vows, she was placed in charge of the Novices’ linen room for 2 years; then her ministry was operator of linotype machine in the FMM Printing Press. During that time, she was sent in mission to Camp St. Helene in the Catskills to serve for a summer in charge of a unit for children.
She pronounced her final vows, June 13, 1956. She was sent in mission to St. Francis Convent in Roslyn, NY to serve as sacristan and receptionist at the hospital and other tasks.
Her various ministries have been as Sacristan, Religious Education, Activities Director, Eucharistic Minister, community treasurer, and local coordinator.
Sr. Jeanne d'Arc Saeko Mera, fmm
Jeanne d’Arc Saeko Mera entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary March 15, 1949 in Yokohama, Japan. After pronouncing her final vows September 1, 1956 in Sapporo, Japan, her ministries in Japan were teaching in a Kindergarten in Tenshi from 1956 to 1958, working with children in an orphanage in Kitahiroshima from 1958 to 1966. She obtained a Montessori Certificate in Early Childhood in 1973 and a B.A. in Education in 1979. Her ministry was as a Teacher and Director of Stella Maris Kindergarten in Kobe, Japan.
In 1979 she was sent in mission to the United States to Kennedy Memorial Day School Program in Brighton, MA serving as an Intern and teacher’s aide. She obtained experience in special education and obtained a Master of Arts in Special Education. Throughout her years, her various ministries have been in Montessori education and healing arts. Presently, she continues her healing ministry.
Sr. Beatrice Sweeney, fmm
Sr. Beatrice Sweeney entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary at North Providence, RI September 18, 1949. In 1952, after making her first profession, Sister Beatrice went to Emmanuel College. During summer vacation time, she was missioned to Camp St. Helene in the Catskills where she served in charge of a unit for children in the New York area.
After graduation, Sister Beatrice was sent in mission to teach in Espiritu Santo School in Fall River. She pronounced her final vows March 19, 1955.
In 1958, she was sent in mission to Malaysia. Her various ministries in Malaysia, Australia and the United States were Religious Education, teaching, administration, secretary and local coordinator.
Her present ministry is that of suffering and prayer for the Church and the world.