Sister’s ministry is many faceted, but always she is responding to the call and the challenge to Sisters of Charity to be ‘women of healing,’ sensitive to the wounds of persons and to the social evils of our times.
Sister Mary Regina Caulfield was born May 22, 1929, in Bronx, New York, one of two daughters born to John and Bridget McManus Caulfield. Mary Regina attended National School in Ireland and Saint John the Evangelist in Manhattan, Cathedral High School, and worked for a year before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1949. Sister Mary Regina earned a BA in English from the College of Mount Saint Vincent and an MA in Theology from Manhattan College, Bronx. She was later granted New York State Certification for teaching English K – 9.
Sister Mary Regina’s fifty-five years of active ministry were devoted to elementary education, parish religious education, and hospital work. She served the first twenty years of ministry as a teacher in almost every grade of elementary education. She taught at three schools in the Bronx: Saints Peter and Paul, Blessed Sacrament, and Saint John Vianney; Elizabeth Seton Academy, Yonkers; and for five years in Nassau, Bahamas, at Saint Francis Xavier and Xavier College. In 1972, she became the Director of Religious Education at Saint John Vianney Parish, Bronx. Sister Mary Regina began thirty “wonderful” years of ministry at Lincoln Hospital, Bronx in 1979. Her devotion to the people of the South Bronx and the mission of Lincoln Hospital to serve those in need led her to serve first as a Patient Advocate, then as Director of Volunteers and Chaplaincy, and finally as the Associate Director of Community and Public Affairs. The impact of Sister Mary Regina’s presence and service at Lincoln Hospital is affirmed by the many awards and citations she received, ranging from the Assembly of the State of New York to the Chancellor of the New York City Public Schools to the nurses who appointed her “Honorary Nurse” at Lincoln Hospital.
Sister Mary Regina retired from active ministry in 2007 and then served in various volunteer capacities. In 2011, she retired at Convent of Mary the Queen, Yonkers, and three years later moved to form a retirement community with her sisters at Kittay Senior Apartments, Bronx.
It is written of Sister Mary Regina, “Sister’s ministry is many faceted, but always she is responding to the call and the challenge to Sisters of Charity to be ‘women of healing,’ sensitive to the wounds of persons and to the social evils of our times.” She enjoyed the companionship of community and had a pleasant smile for those whom she met. Now, as she walks forward into the light of God’s everlasting love, she will be greeted by her family, friends and all Sisters of Charity who have gone before her. Rest in peace, Sister Mary Regina.
To join the video stream of Sister Mary Regina’s Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, September 6, at 10:00 a.m., please click on the link: https://venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db
Date of Death
September 2, 2019
Age
90
Wake
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Assembly Room
6301 Riverdale Ave., Bronx, NY 10471
718.601.5370
Thursday, September 5, 2019
2:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Prayer Vigil at 4:30 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Assembly Room
Friday, September 6, 2019
10:00 am
Burial
St. Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- Ss. Peter & Paul, Bronx
1952–58, Teacher, Gr. 3 - Elizabeth Seton Academy, Yonkers
1963–65, Teacher, Gr. 5,7 - Blessed Sacrament, Bronx
1965–71, Teacher, Gr. 7,8 - St. John Vianney, Bronx
1971–72, Teacher, Gr. 8
1972–79, Director of Religious Ed. - Lincoln Hospital, Bronx
1979–83, Patient Advocate
1983–97, Dir. of Volunteers and Chaplaincy - Lincoln Med. & Mental Health Center, Bronx
1997–07, Assoc. Dir. of Community and Public Affairs - Volunteer Services
2007–11 - Convent of Mary the Queen, Yonkers
2011–14, Prayer, service, witness - Kittay Senior Apartments, Bronx
2014–2019, Prayer, service, witness
Archdiocese of The Bahamas
- St. Francis Xavier, Nassau
1958–63, Teacher - Xaver College, Nassau
1963, Teacher
I remember Sr Mary Regina, very well. She was always ready and willing to join in and help with projects that needed to be done, always with a smile and energetic enthusiasm, along with her artistic talent and ability. May she rest in peace and joy. Amen.
Sister Mary Regina was a big part of my life.She opened her heart and embraced me with her arms when I was alone and lonely coming from a very far place.Introduced me to this lovely couple who later became my family.I will never forget her smile,,warm heart ,always there to listen.. Miss you Sister Mary Regina!You will always be in my heart forever.May you rest in peace.
I remeber when i had to wear her skirt when i was in seventh grade. My uniform has’nt com in yet. Sister Mary Regina was so cool
She will be misd
I was just reading through an old journal and came upon a passage I wrote about Sister Regina. I looked up on the internet to find that she has passed. She was very instrumental in giving me peace and hope when I was struggling as a postulant many years ago. She did amazing work at Lincoln Hospital and I will always carry her memory in my heart – to me she was hope and love. RIP dear friend.
Sadly, I was told many years ago that Sister Regina had already passed away by one of my brothers who still kept in contact with a few of the people from Saint Frances of Rome Parish. Today, while talking about SFR, I took an internet trip down memory lane. I found out that, in fact, she had only passed away not too long ago. I’m regretful I didn’t get to attend her funeral and say my final goodbye to her. Sure, as a teacher, she could, be tough as nails, if need be. But…as a person….never has such a kind, loving, true friend ever lived. She went above and beyond for my family. Even with such humble means, she was constantly helping my mother and her children any and every way she could. There were the funny & good times I will always remember as well. When my mother absolutely gave her no choice and went so far as to loan the convent our VCR when “Sister Act” came out on VHS…lol. She’s quoted as saying “I’ve never seen Sister Mary Phillip laugh that much in all her years!”…lol. The last time I saw her, she was driving down White Plains Road, and as I ran to make the light across the street, I heard “PAY ATTENTION KEOGH! I DON’T WANT YOUR MURDER ON MY HANDS!”…LOL. I’m proud to say she was also my Confirmation sponsor. A role she was proud to accept, and to which she gifted me a beautiful rosery. Which I will always cherish. Rest In Peace, Angel.