“This ministry certainly teaches me about healing, love, prayer, joy and suffering, and about the beauty of my brothers and sisters—images of God.”
Sister Patricia Lawlor (Sister Mary Philomena) was born November 17, 1929 in Manhattan, one of three children—two daughters and one son—of Richard and Sarah Hughes Lawlor. Pat attended Saint Rose of Lima School and Cathedral High School, and worked for one year before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1948. Sister Philomena received a BA in English from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, an MA in English from the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, and an MA in Religious Studies from Manhattan College. She later earned credentials as a chaplain.
Sister Pat spent many years in the ministry of education on both the elementary and high school levels. She taught in Saint Lawrence Academy and Saint Paul School, both in Manhattan, and Saint Margaret of Cortona School, Bronx; the WIN Program of the NYC Board of Education, and was also the principal of Holy Name School in Manhattan. In addition, she taught in Holy Trinity High School, Shiremanstown, PA, and LaSalle Academy in Manhattan. Upon the sudden death of a very dear sister friend, Sister Pat felt called to the hospital ministry as a chaplain. After studying at the Calvary Hospital Program, Bronx, and doing her chaplaincy residence in Hartford, CT, Sister Pat worked with Saint Vincent Hospital Supportive Care Program from 1986 until her retirement in 2000. She continued in this work as a volunteer until 2006. In News Notes she was quoted as saying, “As a Sister of Charity and a Chaplain with the Supportive Care Program, it is my privilege to journey with the terminally ill and their loved ones as they attempt to live fully and prepare for death. This ministry certainly teaches me about healing, love, prayer, joy and suffering, and about the beauty of my brothers and sisters—images of God.”
In 2006, Sister Pat moved to Mount Saint Vincent Convent where she lived until 2014. She was among the first group to move to the Jewish Home Lifecare Assisted Living Program in 2014. In 2016 she moved to Cabrini Nursing Center in Dobbs Ferry. Those whom Sister Pat served as teacher and as chaplain will long remember her generosity and compassion.
We rejoice with Sister Pat as she is welcomed by our loving God whom she served so long and so well as a Sister of Charity. Rest in peace, dear Sister.
Date of Death
November 25, 2016
Age
87
Wake
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Assembly Room
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
2:00 – 6:30 pm
Prayer Service 4:30 pm
Mass of Resurrection
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Assembly Room
Thursday, December 1, 2016
11:00 am
Burial
Saint Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- St. Lawrence Academy, Manhattan
1951–53, Teacher, Gr. 2 - St. Margaret of Cortona, Bronx
1953–1960, Teacher, Gr. 5, 6 - St. Paul, Manhattan
1960–64, Teacher, Gr. 6, 8 - Holy Name, Manhattan
1967–71, Principal - LaSalle Academy, Manhattan
1978–83, Teacher - St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center, Manhattan
1986–2006, Chaplain - St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center, Manhattan
2006–07, Volunteer Chaplain
New York City
- WIN Program, NYC Board of Education
1971–77, Teacher
Pennsylvania
- Trinity High School, Shiremanstown, PA
1964–67, Teacher
It was my privilege to work with Sister Pat Lawlor during the 1990’s, when I was a nurse with St. Vincents’ HIV/AIDS program and she was a chaplain with St. Vincent’s Supportive Care program. She was a counselor and consoler on the nursing units, and a voice of peace and compassion in our AIDS program meetings. She easily bridged the gap between patients, and the families who were trying to come to grips with the illness that had afflicted their sons and daughters. I remember her quiet voice and gentle smile. Like many of the Sisters who worked on the hospital units during those trying times, she was a source of warmth and light.
I was thinking of St. Vincent’s today, December 1 (which I see is the day of her Mass of Resurrection) and happened to come across this notice of her passing. Good-bye, God bless, and thank you, Sr. Pat.
I,too remember Sr. Pat from Spellman building unit at SVHospital on the unit for patients living with AIDS..I was a staff nurse back in the 80’s.-90’s.
Sister gave comfort to both patients and nursing staff alike.
May she now obtain her eternal reward in heaven .
Thank you for your beautiful commentary. Your words are much appreciated by all who loved, lived, and worked with Sr. Pat. Blessings to you, Mr. Cunningham.
I first met Sister Pat in 1964 when she came to Trinity High School in Pennsylvania where she taught me in 11th and 12th grades. Besides being my teacher, she, also, became my mentor and my dearest friend for the past 52 years. I miss her terribly already and will never stop missing her. I thank God everyday for putting her into my life for she was a blessing to me beyond compare! I love you and miss you, Sister Pat! RIP
Thank you so much for this info re: Sr. Pat. Prior to becoming a chaplain at SVH in the Supportive Care Program I was a nurse on the HIV/AIDS Unit. I always remember Sr. Pat visiting patients and how warm, caring and supportive she was to them as well to all of the staff. Bless her.