Necrology

Sr. Marie-Madeleine Juliette Paradis, fmm(M Sidrach)

Sr. Madeleine was born in Beauport, Quebec, Canada. Just before her 18th birthday, she responded to God’s call. Marie Madeleine Paradis entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary June 10, 1940 in Quebec, Canada. She was sent to Holy Family Novitiate in North Providence to complete her religious formation.

After pronouncing her First Vows, she was missioned to N.D. de L’Esperance (Our Lady of Hope) in Woonsocket, RI. Her ministry was supervision of the boys in the orphanage and school of Mount St. Francis. The population in Woonsocket was mainly Franco-American so Madeleine was able to communicate with both the children and the many good people of Woonsocket.

Her next mission sending in 1943 was to Divine Providence Community in Manhattan, NY. There she served in various services within the community.

In December 1948, Madeleine pronounced her final vows in Holy Family Chapel, N. Providence, RI.

As a skilled seamstress her ministries utilized this skill in communities in New York, Providence, Cincinnati, and Boston. She also did home visitation to the sick and elderly in North Providence, and taught religious education in local parishes.

In 1981, she participated in a Sacred Scripture course that was held in Cap Rouge, Canada. In 1988 she did the month long Franciscan Life Experience in Rye Beach, NH. This was followed by the Sorgente program in held in Grottaferrata, Italy. These renewal programs greatly enhanced Madeleine’s spiritual, religious and ministerial life. Another aspect of her renewal was her participation in the Charismatic Prayer Group at St. Borromeo Church in Providence, RI.

At the age of 68, Sr. Madeline answered a call to mission to Nairobi, Africa where her ministry was one of welcoming and hospitality. Once again her missionary life was enhanced as she experienced living and serving in a different culture and place.

Returning to the USA she was sent in mission to Waukegan, IL where she assisted in the Center for the Poor. In 2004, she was sent in mission to Trinity Community in Fruit Hill, North Province. She used her sewing skill making goods for the annual bazaar and for the gift shop of the Franciscan Missionaries. She resumed her participation in the prayer group at St. Charles Boromeo in Providence. Even though she was in need of crutches she went and cared for and taught the children of parents who attended the prayer group. She made many friends amongst the prayer group. Some of these friends donated a tree on the grounds of Fruit Hill in memory of Sr. Madeleine’s 85th birthday.

December of this year would have marked the 70th jubilee celebration of her life as a Franciscan Missionary of Mary. Well done good and faithful “ancilla Domini.