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REMEMBERING THE RT. REV. CHARLES EDWARD McDONNELL
Remembering
THE RT. REV. CHARLES EDWARD McDONNELL
Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School.
Kathleen Carney DeVito ’62
Charles Edward McDonnell was born on February 1, 1854 in the borough of Manhattan to Charles, a printer, and Eleanor McDonnell. He attended De La Salle Academy and St. Francis Xavier College, and later studied theology at the American College in Rome, Italy.
In May of 1878 Charles was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New York in Rome. That Fall, he returned to New York City, where he served as a curate at St. Mary’s Church on Grand Street.
Fr. McDonnell spent several years in the Archdiocese of New York. When The Rt. Rev. John Loughlin, first Bishop of Brooklyn died in 1891, Pope Leo XIII appointed McDonnell the second Bishop of Brooklyn. At age 37, he was youngest Roman Catholic bishop in America. He was consecrated at St. Patrick’s in April 1892. At the time, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle described him as “learned, judicious, amiable, firm, and persuasive.” His first official act in this capacity was the dedication of the new St. Augustine’s Church.
During Bishop McDonnell’s 29-year tenure in Brooklyn, the number of Catholics in the diocese increased from 250,000 to 900,000. This time came to be called the Great Migration (1846-1940) when 55 million immigrants came to the U.S. from Europe, and
— Msgr. John Sharp, History of the Diocese of Brooklyn nearly two million African-Americans migrated from the south to northern cities, including to New York City. Bishop McDonnell was responsible for 54 parishes in Brooklyn and 58 Catholic elementary schools for these new immigrant groups settling in the diocese, many from Ireland, Italy, and Eastern Europe as well as the AfricanAmerican migrants from within the United States. He showed wonderful foresight in adopting a policy of securing members of religious orders who shared the race and language of the aforementioned immigrants.
In 1894, Bishop McDonnell established what was to become the Catholic Schools Office, added Catholic Charities in 1895, and became the first Bishop-Publisher of Brooklyn’s own diocesan newspaper, The Tablet, in 1908. He added two additional hospitals, two seaside recreation places for children, and a trade school for orphans. Archbishop Hayes referred to him as “a deep thinker and a silent worker.” In his book History of the Diocese of Brooklyn, Msgr. John Sharp wrote that Bishop McDonnell “had a childlike simplicity and a genuine humility. He neither sought nor received public attention.”
After a couple of years of health issues, with Bishop Thomas Molloy at his side, Bishop McDonnell passed away on August 8, 1921. (Bishop McDonnell consecrated Bishop Molloy in October 1920 as an auxiliary bishop). He was buried alongside Bishop Loughlin in St. James ProCathedral. Bishop Molloy became Brooklyn’s third Bishop.
In 1926, the Diocese of Brooklyn saw the need for a Catholic high school for young women — and as we all know, that became Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School. Archbishop Molloy chose to name the school after his predecessor, Bishop McDonnell for two reasons. First, Bishop McDonnell had been zealous in establishing religious schools, and second, Archbishop Molloy believed that the people in the diocese would be more apt to donate money if a memorial to their beloved late bishop was part of the package (and within one year, that drive was successful — the diocese reached its financial goal and it purchased the site that Bishop McDonnell would be built on). At Bishop McDonnell’s Memorial High School’s opening, Bishop Molloy noted that this new school would accommodate more than 2,000 young women, adding that “education means opportunity, power, and success”. Bishop McDonnell would most heartily agree and approve! ◊
BISHOP’S GIRLS ARE EVERYWHERE!
MARY BELL SQUIRE ’47
Phyllis Murphy Howell ’67
Left, Mary Bell Squire ’47 (center seated) in the 1947 yearbook and in 2020 receiving her book ‘Memorial, Memorial’ on the history of Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School.
Last year, I came across a post on the Bishop McDonnell Diocesan Memorial Facebook page from a 1947 alumna. She wondered if she was the oldest on the site. She is!
Mary Bell Squire ‘47 attended Queen of All Saints annex and then in 1945 transferred to Big Bishops. She worked on the Laurel from 1945 to 1947 and loved public speaking at the Little Theater — considered by her to be one of the best things learned at Bishop McDonnell. The June 1947 Laurel speaks of “bits of brogue and Scottish tales” to distinguish Mary Bell. “Her neat and orderly ways enable Mary to fill the position of manager as well as her quiet ability and excellent bookkeeping. When not occupied with school activities, she enjoys dancing and a cup of tea.”
During her time at Bishops she made friends with Ellen Farrel ‘47; they traveled back and forth to school together. After graduation, Ellen joined the Sisters of Mercy and Mary married and had a family. Years later, she and her husband became involved in a traveling card playing group. They traveled to many places and many times visited Aruba. They loved it so much they moved there and built a house in 2000 — Mary is still in that house, where she says the view from her hilltop is the best view on the island. She enjoys speaking at the only English Mass every Sunday at Ste. Ana (St. Ann’s). Sadly, Mary lost her husband of 68 years suddenly in 2018, but she still maintains an active social life and says living in Aruba is like going to heaven without having to die — good weather, no stress, and friendly people. I thoroughly enjoyed my long talks with Mary about her school days, her life, and living on the island since my husband and I have been vacationing there for over 25 years.
I decided to gift her a copy of the book on the history of the school, Memorial, Memorial. When I went to the post office, I was shocked to find out that there was no international delivery to the island due to COVID-19. Normally, I would be traveling there myself, but due to current restrictions imposed by Aruba, we decided to stay home this year. So how could I still get a book to Mary?
I put out a request to see if anyone was traveling there and received quite a few responses. Carolyn Pecevich was going in September kindly offered to be the go-between. I mailed the book to her in Massachusetts and she took it with her. The two of them arranged a time to meet and the transfer was made! Mary has shared that the book has “brought back a lot of memories and confirmed quite a few details she had been wondering about during her school days. “
Hopefully, I will be able to see Mary on a future trip to Aruba. Bishop’s girls are everywhere!! ◊
FAITHFUL SERVANTS
SR. HONORA NOLTY, O.P. ’57
Mary Collins Macchiarola ’58
After 63 years of full-time rich, challenging, and diverse experiences, Sr. Honora Nolty, O.P., recently retired from active ministry. She plans to continue volunteer work, but looks forward to more quiet and down time.
Sr. Honora, the second of three children, was born into a traditional Irish-American immigrant family. She grew to love her Celtic heritage, history, and spirituality, and often attributes her love of nature, the ocean, farmlands, and gardening to her peasant roots.
Raised in Queens, Sr. attended St. Mary, Winfield Elementary School in Woodside. As a student at Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School, she was most grateful for her quality Catholic education, appreciated the rich diversity of the student body, and valued the many leadership skills learned at the allgirls school.
Soon after her high school graduation in 1957, Sr. Honora entered the convent and became a Dominican Sister of Amityville. “It was the best decision I ever made” she said. “Not always easy, but always interesting and meaningful.”
Like most religious Sisters, Sr. Honora’s ministry began in elementary education. From teacher to principal of two large Catholic schools, then the Associate Superintendent of Schools, and the Office of Planning for the Diocese of Brooklyn. Sister always loved teaching — still does, and saw school administration as a good fit.
Following her years in Catholic schools, Sister served as Pastoral Associate at St. James Cathedral/Basilica in Brooklyn. She calls that ten year experience a “highlight”, and a “hands on” graduate theology, that included liturgy, pastoral ministry, spirituality, and women’s issues in the Church. Table
ministry and conversations with authors, theologians, bishops, and celebrities at the Cathedral broadened Sr. Honora’s world view. Journeying with parishioners in a very splendid parish community allowed her to develop lifelong relationships.
Sr. Honora (far right, top) working at Channel in Seattle, Washington.
After 31 years of service in Brooklyn, Sr. Honora moved to Seattle, Washington, where she directed the educational arm of Channel (a Catholic Peace Corps for young college graduates). During her time in the Pacific Northwest, Sister created the InterCommunity Ministry Volunteer Program. A collaborative effort of nine religious communities, the program allowed adult volunteers to live, pray, and work with a religious Sister, living and ministering to the poor in underdeveloped countries.
In 2000, Sister was called back to New York by her community and became the Director of the Siena Spirituality Center in Watermill, New York for the next six years. Life in the Hamptons was indeed a new and enlightening experience. It was an opportunity to observe the lives of the rich and famous. In 2006, Sister brokered the sale of this waterfront property.
For the past 14 years, Sr. Honora has worked at RENEW International, assisting the director and staff helping people connect faith with their daily lives by raising up and empowering lay leadership through small groups. As a presenter, Director of Development, and Associate Director at RENEW, Sister admits that she needed and used every degree and skill she ever developed.
During her time at RENEW, Sr. traveled to many parts of this country. She spent eight years working in Boston, and spent some time in South Africa, teaching Dominican spirituality. Notably and deservedly, Sr. Honora will be honored in June 2021 at
Sr. Honora working in South Africa.
RENEW’s Annual Gala for her lifelong service to the Church and the world.
Studies and ministries have brought Sr. Honora to South Africa, Central America, Puerto Rico, South Africa, and Europe. She treasures all those times and memories, and most especially, the many wonderful people she has met along the way. As Sister says, “It has all been good. Even the hard times have brought me to a better place.” With much gratitude for her 63 years of ministry, Sister now looks forward to what comes next. She trusts and believes that God will be with her in the next chapter of her life, and she eagerly waits to see what evolves. ◊
Sr. Beatrice ’Babs’ Barry (Sr. Mary Giuseppi) is known for being responsible for bringing back Bishop McDonnell’s yearbook The Mitre. She requested a meeting with Fr. Cavanaugh, the new principal, and he relented and said “yes”.
After graduation, Babs joined the Sisters of St. Joseph and was assigned to Transfiguration School in Williamsburg for 18 years — where she learned the love of the Spanish people and their language. For nine more years Sister taught the eighth grade at St. James Pro Cathedral School, Brooklyn and Sacred Heart School, Cutchogue.
In 1980, Sr. Babs asked if she could accompany Sr. Jane Reilly to form a missionary post in the Dominican Republic.
SR. BEATRICE ‘BABS’ BARRY ’52
Kathy McCarthy ’58 and Mary Ellen Lavelle Murphy ‘59
They were given the outpost parishes of El Cercado and Hondo Valle in the mountains on the Dominican Republic and Haitian border— a seven or eight hour trip to Santo Domingo over rough roads and mostly by a horse-drawn cart. For eight years Sister lived among the farmers in the mountains. There was no running water, no electricity, and no sanitary facilities. Just a crudely constructed shed gave shelter to a cook house where meals were prepared over an open-pit fire. This was certainly no Punta Cana!
Working seven years with the “campesinos” showed her what they had to go through if sick (like the seven hour trip to go see a doctor in Santo Domingo). Many times, they would return home after waiting hours without seeing a doctor. If the patient was admitted to the hospital, the patient had to bring their own sheets, water, food, and a family member to stay and care for them.
Seeing so many children and young people die because of the trip and the circumstances, Sr. Babs felt something had to be done so the patient and their family could stay in Santo Domingo while recuperating. She met with the Bishop to explain the situation. Her thought was to rent a few apartments in the city where patients and family members could stay. Much to Sr. Babs delight, the Bishop was very enthusiastic and said it should be a big house instead of apartments so everyone in the diocese could use it to recuperate. Sr. Babs became the Innkeeper of the ‘Inn of the Good Samaritan’. For the next 25 years, hundreds of people, patients, and accompanying family members found a bed, three meals a day, etc. — it was their “home away from home”.
Thirty years later, Sr. Babs has seen the parishes of El Cercado and Hondo Valle grow to be sources of new life for its parishioners — places where faith is alive and well. The people are able to make a living at farming as they learn new techniques to replace the old slash and burn way of cleaning the land.
In 2013, Sr. Babs returned to Long Island after a medical emergency. She would not be allowed to return to the Dominican Republic. She was devastated and afraid her hard work at the Inn would not be continued. The Bishop was able to convince three sisters from Puerto Rico to continue Sr. Babs work.
Once recovered, there was no stopping her work on Long Island. She ministers to Hispanics at a local hospital, worked on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, was involved in the management of medical insurance for the Sisters (over 500), and is currently helping to decorate the newly renovated St. Joseph’s Convent in Brentwood.
How can you sum up in one article the life work of “Babs” a kid from Our Lady of Victory, Floral Park? In her own words Sister said, “The Inn was the most life-giving experience of my 67 years as a religious.” ◊
