Jubilee won't slow sister dedicated to teaching

After 50 years as a nun, Sister Dolores Puglis, MPV, is still enthusiastic about her calling.

In fact, the member of the Religious Venerini Sisters bubbles over with eagerness when talking about her 48 years teaching religion in Catholic schools and catechetical programs in the Albany Diocese and Massachusetts.

Thirty-six of those years have been spent at St. Anthony's Church in Schenectady, where she is director of religious education at the pre-school and daycare program.

Born and raised in Gloversville, Sister Dolores entered her order right after high school. Its motto is "to educate, to set free, to save!"

"When I entered the convent, I was one of only five postulants in our novice program in Fitchburg, Massachusetts," she recalled. "Our novice mistress was dedicated to the Five Wounds of Jesus. Since there were only five of us that year, she assigned one of the wounds to each of us. I was 'the Right Hand' of Jesus. Two left the convent, and the other two have passed on. I am the only 'wound' left."

Over her years as a teacher, Sister Dolores has observed a dramatic change in youth.

"Today, children seem much more involved in outside activities than they used to be," she said. "Because of this, there seems to be an increase in lack of respect, both for themselves and for others. As parents and teachers, we must redirect them back to developing that sense of respect and love of each other."

She has had many of her students look her up years later.

"They remember that I was strict," she said. "Even though they may not have appreciated that as children, they usually comment now that they were glad someone took the time to teach them well. This means so much to me.

"I have no plans to retire. I feel good, and I'm healthy. I'll keep going as long as the Lord wants. I just take it one day at a time."

(On Oct. 2, a Mass celebrating Sister Dolores' jubilee will be offered at 12:30 p.m. at St. Anthony's Church in Schenectady. To contact her, call 372-5961.)

(9/22/05) [[In-content Ad]]