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50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF MOTHER MARIANNE GURNEY, R.C.D.
Mother Marianne, Foundress of the Sisters of Our Lady of Christian Doctrine died 50 years ago, February 9, 1957.
In observance of this anniversary, two articles written by Sr. Virginia Johnson, RCD in past issues of the NEWSLETTER of the Sisters of Our Lady of Christian Doctrine are repeated.
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A MOST SACRED PATRIMONY
-Sr. Virginia Johnson, RCD
What has been left to us by Mother Marianne of Jesus is indeed a sacred patrimony. No, it is not money, or land, or buildings. It is a sacred trust to embrace, reverence, and continue to hand on the tradition of our Catholic Faith. This embodies the process of education, formation, and transformation.
It never ceases to amaze me exactly how clear this process has been from the time of Mother Marianne, when as Marion Gurney, she understood so clearly the message of Jesus and the meaning of the Incarnation at its deepest level. Be among the people; enter their lives, their joys and sorrows, their needs and their poverty, their unspoken desires, and their search for life's meaning . . .and there you will meet Jesus.
Our Congregation is reminded of this treasure as the New York Archdiocese celebrates 100 years of catechetical ministry. It was in May of the year 1902 that this ministry was officially sanctioned by the Church of New York with the establishment of the Confraternity of Christian. This Patrimony is not found in any book, although books may help; it is found and enkindled as a living flame in the souls of many men and women, religious, who have been imbued and inspired by the Word made flesh. May this flame continue to stir and consume us as we live out our mission!
(RCD Newsletter, Fall, 2003, Volume 17, Number 7. page 1)
CELEBRATION OF A BIRTHDAY
May 14, 2002
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church
New York City
A little know fact regarding the work of our Foundress, Mother Marianne of Jesus, the former Marion Frances gurney, was recently recognized by the Archdiocese of New York Catechetical Office with the celebration of 100 years of Catechetical Ministry. Our own archives hold the story of Mother Marianne's early days as a convert to the Catholic Faith. So fervent was her zeal that it led her to use her energies to preserve and foster the Catholic Faith among the many immigrants arriving in New York City in the early 1900's. She became deeply involved in the establishment of St. Rose's Settlement House, a venture at St. Vatherine's Parish in New York City. Here, among other activities, she and her companions began the teaching of religion and adults preparing many for the reception of the sacraments. As the numbers increased, more and more catechists were needed. In 1901 Marion Gurney, in conjunction with Mrs. Ellen Burke, a veteran normal school teacher, organized the Normal Training School for Catechists. The school met with enthusiasm and success from many parishes in New York.
Miss Gurney, who had studied in England, shared her knowledge of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Archbishop Corrigan, who had already been so supportive in the establishment of the Normal Training School for catechists, became equally encouraging about the Confraternity. This organization, successful in England, with its structure of care for the faith life of Catholics from the "cradle to grave", would soon be a model for establishing centers of Religious Education in New York, and eventually, through the United States. After further study and adaptation to meet the needs of our country, Archbishop Michael A. Corrigan, officially erected the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, May, 1902. Steps were taken to affiliate with the Arch Confraternity in Rome. Marion Gurney was named the first secretary general of the organization, and Reverend James N. Connolly, pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, named the spiritual director. On the evening of May 13, 1902, ninety-three persons from 13 parishes graduated from the Normal Training School for catechists and were received into the Confraternity, now for the first time canonically established in New York.
After the Catechist graduation of 1902, Marion continued the mission that became so much a part of her life. In 1908 she and four other women came together to form the Congregation that became the Sisters of Our Lady of Christian Doctrine. And the rest is our history.
The Centenary Celebration of this event fittingly took place at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on May 14, 2002. Present were Msgr. Dennis Keane, pastor of the parish, who offered a warm welcome and hospitality, officials of the Archdiocese of New York, many parents, catechists, directors of religious education, and a group of parish children. All participated in the very meaningful and spiritually moving prayers service prepared by the Archdiocesan Catechetical office Staff. Ritual words and words of gratitude were expressed to the many people of different countries and ethnic groups who over the last one hundred years, have birthed today's fruit in nurturing our Catholic Faith.
I was personally proud to represent the congregation in the entrance procession.
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