2015 -- S 0361

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LC000514

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING SISTER LORRAINE MACPHERSON, HOLY UNION SISTERS, FOR

SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE TO GOD AND THE PEOPLE OF THE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Crowley, Paiva Weed, Lombardi, Lynch, and Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2015

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, Sr. Lorraine, Holy Union Sisters, is an exceptional individual who has had a

significant and profound impact on the spiritual and educational lives of numerous students and

parishioners, through her extraordinary commitment to education and serving God; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Sister Lorraine is the daughter of Robert and

Ida MacPherson and the sister of the late Robert MacPherson. Over the years, she has also had a

close relationship and has great respect for her stepfather, Alex; and

     WHEREAS, After Sr. Lorraine's family moved to Chelsea, she attended Assumption

Grammar School where she first met members of the Holy Union Sisters; and

     WHEREAS, Upon graduation from Chelsea High School, Sister Lorraine entered the

Holy Union Sisters, pronounced her vows, and took the name Sister Therese Joseph. She later

returned to her baptismal name. She received her Bachelor's degree in education from Catholic

Teachers College and her Master's degree in Religious Education from St. Michael's College; and

     WHEREAS, For almost twenty years, Sr. Lorraine directly touched the lives of hundreds

of youngsters entrusted to her leadership and guidance as a primary teacher in parish schools in

both Rhode Island and Massachusetts; and

     WHEREAS, In 1969, Sister Lorraine served as the religious education coordinator in

Shirley, Massachusetts, and in 1971, served as the religious education coordinator at Notre Dame

Parish in Central Falls, and later, at the combined parishes of Notre Dame, Holy Trinity, and St.

Matthew's; and

     WHEREAS, Sister Lorraine returned to teaching briefly before becoming the CCD

Coordinator at Notre Dame Church from 1972 until 1992. In 1997, she became the first Holy

Union Sister to assume the responsibilities of Pastoral Bereavement Minister at the Keefe Funeral

Home in Lincoln; and

     WHEREAS, Today, Sister Lorraine continues to lend her hand at the Keefe Funeral

Home, prays the rosary, brings communion, and assists at the Saturday evening Mass at Forand

Manor; and

     WHEREAS, Sr. Lorraine's laudable service through her spiritual values and love for

teaching and her parishioners has not only helped thousands of children to succeed, but has been

inspirational to her colleagues and a tremendous asset to the Holy Union Sisters and the

community; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby recognizes and honors Sr. Lorraine, Holy Union Sisters, for sixty-five years of devoted

service and for her commitment to spreading the charism of the Holy Union Sisters. We wish her

good health, spiritual fulfillment, and continued success; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and direct to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Sr. Lorraine MacPherson.

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