Friday, June 19, 2009

Sisters of St. Mary's

Sister Agnes, Sister Ann Catherine, Sister Ellen and their vicious guard dog

St. Mary's alumni please be on your best behavior for this post. Yesterday I had a chance to visit the sisters who ran St. Mary's School for many years. They are now living at their family home in Mt. Morris and doing well. They're still teaching at a small school on their property. Sister Ann Catherine recently retired after 68 years of teaching.



23 comments:

  1. I consider my decision to transfer my son to St. Mary's School one of the best in my parenting career. It was difficult as we lived on the other side of town but he managed to get there , graduate and go on to Powers. His class at St. Marys kept the faculty on high alert but they were always outsmarted by the good Nuns. In the worst case scenario they would be turned over to Father Birkmyer and spend some time kneeling at the statue in back of the priests house. (Gordie, can't remember if it was the Blessed Mother you correct for me) So, Sr. Ellen, Sr. Agnes and Sr. Ann Catherine many thanks from Gordie's Mom.
    Pat McFarlane Young

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  2. Such a very nice boy. And even the doggie seems to think so.

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  3. What a touching and sweet post...I remember my favorite nun at St Agnes. Her name was Sister mary Jacob and I have always wondered what happened to her? I loved her! Does anyone out there know where all the nuns from St Agnes retired to?

    RoadsideDinerLover
    email: roadsidedinerlover@yahoo.com

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  4. Gordon, I attended Flint St. Mary's from 4th to 8th grade and like you, went on to Powers. I owe a great debt of gratitude to the Nuns of St. Mary's. While going thru some tough family times, they were always there to guide me. It really is great to see that they are doing well. I'd be curious to know what happened to some of the other staff from St. Mary's Flint?
    Keep up the good work! It is nice to see the old neighborhood stuff.

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  5. Thanks for these pictures, Gordie! I had always wondered what the nuns at St. Mary were up to if they were still alive. I'm glad to see they are!

    I agree with Mrs. Young, being a member of Gordie's class at St. Mary, we sure did our shard of mischief and troublemaking (mostly harmless by today's standards). I remember boys being sent to Sr. Ellen's office for a swat. I was always scared to death of that. I know I was sent to the office for timeouts somewhat. I also remember being scared of Father Birkmeyer. He once asked me my name when I was confessing (I was only 7 or 8) and I freaked out! He didn't tell on me though so it was alright. I have a lot of good memories from old St. Mary School. Kathy Hendrickson Murchie (Holy Rosary c/o 1984)

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  6. Even though I went to St. Agnes (Maurice Olk & Donovan North) I really enjoyed this post - no doubt because a number of those "mischievous" St. Mary's kids ended up at my school! Speaking of St. Agnes - I have often wondered whatever happened to our elementary school principal Sr. Verona. Does anyone out there know anything about her or any of the other nuns or teachers from there?

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  7. I was wondering if there was a way to get in touch with the sisters? Do they have email?

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  8. In response to the previous poster, maybe Gordie could give you an address via e-mail for security reasons. If you attended St. Mary's grade school in the 1970's or 80's, we would always have a yearly picnic where they live now. That should give you a clue.

    God, those good nuns never change, do they? You took excellent pictures, Professor!

    And finally to Mrs. Young:
    Behind the St. Mary's rectory where Father Berkemeier resided for 26 years stood the grotto, which included a statue of the Blessed Mother. I don't remember ever being suggested to kneel at the grotto...I do vividly recall traveling to the office for an appointment with that paddle though...

    Good times...

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  9. I'm not comfortable posting the address on the web, but if you email me I can pass along the info.

    gordieyoung(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  10. Are the nuns of the 60's still alive. Sr. mariem, Sr. Gurtrude ann, and Sr. carol ann.

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  11. I think Sisters Agnes, Catherine, and Ellen are the only surviving nuns from St. Mary's.

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    1. I was up there a year ago April & toured the school. looks a lot different. These three are the last ones left & they look great! They haven't aged a bit! Still look like I remember them. Mr. Strahley is teaching at their home with them. I have an email address but if you could message me via facebook & give me the one you have that would be great because I dont get a reply so I wonder if its the wrong one. The sisters were doing great! Loving life & living to the fullest. Check out my profile pics there's some there from our visit.

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  12. How about Sister Peter Damian, Sister Alexander Mother Thelca

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  13. MGySgt Timothy L. WilcoxJune 25, 2010 at 11:29 PM

    Sisters Ellen, Agnes and Ann Catherine, I remember all of you very well and it is great to see you in this picture. The Wilcox Boys say hello. God Bless you!!!

    Semper Fidelis
    Tim

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  14. I am not sure about many of the nuns from the 60's, but I do still keep in touch with Sr. Elizabeth Marie, who was my 1st grade teacher.

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  15. I recently had the pleasure of running into the Sisters at Our lady of Guadalupe Church while home on leave. They looked great! It was a joy seeing them again. I went to St. Mary's Flint 1st thru 8th grade, I loved it there. Gods bless them all.

    -M. Favila

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  16. I attended St Marys Flint during the years of 1978 through 1988. I remember Sister Agnes, Sister Ellen and Sister Ann catherine. I know Father Berkemeir passed away in the nursing home he lived in with my grandma Cote. My sisters and brother all attended St Mary's before me along with my Dad when he was young. I live in Florida now, but would love to hear from anyone that knew me from there at that time. Email: michele.williams73@yahoo.com. I am also on Facebook under Michele Cote Williams.
    thank you!

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  17. Hi Michelle,
    Father Henry Berkemeier remained an active priest at Marian Hall (a senior citizens apartment complex, not a nursing home) where he had been a resident since 1987, until his death on Sunday, March 14, 1993, at the age of 81. In fact, residents and visitors were waiting that morning in the chapel for 9:30 mass to begin, wondering why Father was late, only to learn that he had died in his apartment. He was still saying one mass a day, seven days a week up until his death. Some people would not agree with this next statement: We didn't know it at the time, but a number of people who knew Father Berkemeier well were actually in the presence of a living saint. I will believe that for the rest of my days.

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    1. I knew Father Berkemeier for 36 years and also believe he was a living saint. Ernie Torok, Flint PD Sergeant Retired. The sisters that served with him were also in that class.

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  18. Wow, the sisters don't look a day older in this picture than they did in the 80's when I went to school there.

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  19. In the picture,is this the same Sr. Ann Catherine that taught 5th Grade during the 56-57 school year?

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  20. Just a clarification it wasnt sister gertrude it was sister geralda! The post wont be posted anyways the truth never is.

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    1. Actually, the truth gets printed all the time. I just don't print comments that include gratuitous personal attacks on people from anonymous people. Sorry your experience was not a good one, but this really isn't the place to come to terms with it.

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Thanks for commenting. I moderate comments, so it may take a while for your comment to appear. You might enjoy my book about Flint called "Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City," a Michigan Notable Book for 2014 and a finalist for the 33rd Annual Northern California Book Award for Creative NonFiction. Filmmaker Michael Moore described Teardown as "a brilliant chronicle of the Mad Maxization of a once-great American city." More information about Teardown is available at www.teardownbook.com.