By Lorraine Cooper, SC
Sister Genevieve’s first assigned ministry as a Sister of Charity was to be a first-grade teacher at St. Margaret of Crotona School in the Bronx. Being an early-childhood teacher was to be her joy and privilege for the next fifty-five years. She experienced God’s embracing love for each student, and in preparing them for First Holy Communion or other religious instructions, she says, “the children would glow, and so did I.” Learning about our community virtues of humility, simplicity and charity was enhanced by observing the children’s open minds and hearts to grasp what she was teaching, their trust in God and their little acts of charity.
Working with faculty and parents led to mutual growth, discovery and understanding. This was also experienced in the Fordham Internship Fellowship Program that cemented life-time friendships. Sister Genevieve’s on-growing correspondence with so many over the years has earned her the name,”Post Office Mistress General.” Now in her sixtieth anniversary of religious life, she looks forward also to a sixtieth reunion with her Curtis High School class of 1957.
Presently, Sr. Genevieve is the volunteer Assistant Director of our ESL Program on campus, Project LIGHT. There are sixty-eight students, many of whom are working toward receiving their citizenship. In league with this ministry, she joined the Immigration Taskforce.
Sister Genevieve also participates in campus events and charitable activities sponsored by the College of Mount Saint Vincent Campus Ministry such as donating books, clothing and food. She is also one of the sacristans at the convent, and often brightens days with little gifts and visits. She also plans to be a volunteer one day a week in a nearby school.
Sister Genevieve believes her ministry of charity is already being lived into the future as she accepts the opportunities each day offers with God as the source of all her endeavors.
Yea Sr. Gen ad multos annos!
Abundant Blessings Genevieve and thank you for your faithful ministry.
Sister Genevieve is just delightful and so thoughtful. I can really appreciate how the little ones loved her in the classroom; her smile is warm and infectious. Thank you for the many years of service you gave and are still giving to Our Lord. God Bless you, Sister. Diane Valek
She is and always has been a beautiful example of humility, true generosity and Christ-like love! God’s blessings always Marlene!
I am, along with many neighbors, St. Margaret graduates of mid – `1970s. Had Sr. Gen moved onto her next assignment by then?
Thank you and keep up the good work.
I was just wondering if Sr. Genevieve ever taught at Incarnation School in Washington Heights in the early 60s. My sister had a sister in first grade there who she adored and I was wondering if this is the same Sr. Genevieve.
Will check and get back to you.
Hi Noreen. Yes, Sr. Genevieve taught at Incarnation from 1961 to 1965.
Thank you.
I had the pleasure of having Sister Genevieve as my second grade teacher at Our Lady of the Angelus in Rego Park, Queens in 1978, the year of my first communion. She has always held a special place in my heart and in the hearts of all of those who have known her. I am writing this on the evening before seeing her for the first time in more than 30 years at a luncheon she is hosting for many of her former students from OLA and I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity. God bless you Sister Genevieve.