Sisters to leave convent in Albany

Only two sisters remain in the Sheridan Avenue convent, which once housed as many as ten when they exclusively staffed St. Casimir's School in the 1920s. But times have changed, according to Sister Jeanne Marie Harla, CR, provincial superior.

"There was no real reason to warrant our staying there," she said. "Neither of the two sisters has a full-time position in the parish, and we stress community living, so what warrants their staying with only two sisters there?"

Long involvement

At the time, the sisters lived on the school's upper floor, but a convent was built for them in 1923, with their old living quarters renovated for use as classroom space.

Now, only Sister Rosemary Ann Cuneo and Sister Mary Rodricia Sendrakowski remain at St. Casimir's. The former, who is superior of the local community, works as spiritual advisor at Russell Sage College and campus minister at Hudson Valley Community College, both in Troy. Sister Mary Rodricia, who once taught at St. Casimir's, works part-time in the school office and library.

Leaving convent

Ultimately, Sister Jeanne Marie and the provincial council decided it was time for the order to pull out of St. Casimir's, a move that's considered unfortunate but necessary.

"There was an awful lot of dialogue. These things don't just happen out of the clear blue sky. You think it through," Sister Jeanne Marie said.

'Sad' parting

"The saddest thing is it's a big chunk of parish history that's coming to an end," she said.

She isn't sure where she will live, but she will continue in her ministry at the colleges and as chairperson for Mission 2000 for the cluster parishes of St. Casimir's, St. Patrick's and Our Lady of Angels.

Leaving St. Casimir's won't be easy, but Sister Rosemary Ann believes that this move is happening for a reason. "I've lived in so many places in my religious life; I like to believe God is leading us where He wants," she said.

Years with parish

She understands why the sisters have decided to leave the parish where they have ministered for so many years.

"It's a necessity," she said. "There's a shortage of us, and you can't replace people. But I'm hoping to be able to continue doing my work at the school."

Making a difference

Two students became Catholic because of the influence of one member of the order, Sister Maurice, and he said the sisters' daily involvement in St. Casimir's School will be missed.

"Not having them around is going to be a huge loss for us, and we'll miss having their religious presence in the building," Mr. Farrington said.

Community life

"It's not something they wanted to do, but community living is important in religious life, and they had to leave," he said.

How the convent will be used after the sisters leave has not been decided, but Father Somerville has an idea: "I'd like to establish a health clinic for the neighborhood. It would be a powerful evangelization tool for the Church."

(St. Casimir's parishioners will have an opportunity to thank the Sisters of the Resurrection for their involvement in the church and school during the 10 a.m. Mass on Jan. 16.)

(12-16-99) [[In-content Ad]]