After 77 years in religious service, Sister Marie Innocentia Lipari of the Parish of St. Paul and St. Agnes is retiring at the age of 96. Father Joseph Nugent, pastor, calls the much beloved Sr. Innocentia’s retirement a “big loss” to the parish. Born Madeline Lipari and baptized Maria Magdalena in 1922, she was raised on First Place in Carroll Gardens with her five sisters and two brothers by loving parents who had immigrated from Sicily and Naples.
Her family worshipped at St. Stephen’s Church long before its merger with Sacred Hearts Parish. Young Madeline often went to daily Mass at St. Stephen’s before going to school at P.S. 142. St. Stephen’s pastor at the time, Father Edward Lodge Curran, was particularly inspiring in that he often walked with the children of the parish, known as the Children of Mary, preaching the gospel of the day out on the streets of the neighborhood. She was also influenced by Sr. Amadeus, a caring nun from the community she would eventually join, who asked Madeline for her help with a summer school program. Madeline, however, was sickly as a child and suffered from diphtheria, missing an entire year of school. Before saying yes to Sr. Amadeus, she had to convince her mother that she was well enough for the job.
Another influence in her early years was Mother Cabrini, to whom Madeline was strongly devoted; instead of going to the movies with her friends, she would often make the long journey on the subway to upper Manhattan to the Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.
By the time she was seventeen, Madeline already had the calling and decided to enter the convent. But her older sister, Margaret, had chosen the same vocation at the same time. Thanks to the advice of her spiritual advisor and fellow parishioner, John Jay Gorman, Madeline waited one year and entered the Community of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity (MSBT) in Philadelphia in 1941. She made her first profession in March 1943 and took her final vows in March 1946, thus becoming Sister Marie Innocentia of the Child Jesus, MSBT.
A certified social worker, Sr. Innocentia immediately embarked on an illustrious and versatile vocational career in missionary social work, with assignments in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Alabama, and then back to her native Brooklyn, to St. Peter/Our Lady of Pilar Parish in Cobble Hill in the late 1950s. St. Peter/Our Lady of Pilar eventually merged with St. Paul’s Parish which ultimately merged with St. Agnes Church. Her duties included ministering to Latino parishioners; teaching First Communion and Confirmation classes (as well as religious instruction classes to teenagers); home visiting; assisting with housing programs, agency referrals for unmarried mothers, drug users, and welfare recipients; and assisting the parish priests. Additionally, Sr. served as parish liaison to the Community Poverty Program, was involved in the administration of the CYO Youth Jobs Corps, St. Vincent de Paul Society funds, and the Summertime Poverty Program for parish children. She also coordinated ESL classes with the Board of Education, tutorial work for newcomers, emergency assistance to the needy, and a ministry of prayer at Cobble Hill Nursing Home.
During summer months, Sr. would chaperone dozens of neighborhood children to Coney Island to the amazement of straphangers. (She proudly notes that she never lost a single child.) In recent years, Sr. was well known for her annual novenas to St. Anthony of Padua, which spanned thirteen weeks culminating on his feast day on June 13th.
On Sunday, August 12th, a liturgy and potluck reception were held in St. Paul’s Hall to honor Sr. Innocentia. Regarding her retirement, Sr. said to those gathered, “I have to walk with God, and you will be with me in that walking.” In reaction to the many parishioners and neighbors crowding around, wishing her well and trying to convey what she means to them, Sr. marveled, “Look at how they love me!”
At the reception, Deacon Leroy Branch declared that Sr. Innocentia is “the epitome of service, for the clergy and for everyone else,” and credited her with his becoming a lay deacon. He recalled arriving late for weekly Mass at St. Paul’s when he was growing up and trying to sit discreetly in the back. Sr. would immediately move him up to the front, better to keep a closer eye on him. Deacon Leroy went on to say that Sr. helped everyone, even in surrounding parishes and neighborhoods, and that his best memory of her was that “no matter what your family needed, whatever it was, food or clothes,” Sr. had an uncanny way of finding out what it was and she would invariably hand a bag to you with the simple instruction of “Bring this to mother.” Indeed, as soon as items were donated, Sr. would find the person(s) most in need to receive them.
With the consent of her order’s superior, Sr. has had the privilege to live independently for decades in a studio apartment right next door to St. Paul’s rectory. Living by herself for those many years, she sometimes encountered loneliness: “In my loneliness,” she poignantly noted, “every time I put the key in the door, I found Jesus waiting there. Without God’s presence, I wouldn’t have been able to make it.” Recently Sr. was called to return to her order’s Motherhouse in Philadelphia where she will be cared for by her fellow sisters. Sr. Innocentia was less than enthusiastic of the idea of moving from the place where she had done “all her good works” but according to her dear, devoted friend, Joan Melone, she is now looking forward to it with “a good heart.” And so on the Feast of the Assumption, on August 15th, after a final morning blessing, Sr. moved to the MSBT Motherhouse where her only job will be to pray. There’s no doubt that she will be up to the task.
I was so happy to sit down with Sr. and so moved to be in her presence. In speaking with her and discovering the scope of her vocation, I couldn’t help being reminded of Mother Cabrini. This neighborhood was so blessed to have had Mother Cabrini to help the early Italian immigrants, and we were also blessed to have had another wonderfully devoted sister to follow that very same path.
At the end of our conversation, Sr. said, “I did okay.” Well, Sr. Innocentia, you did a lot better than okay, and I am sure that the thousands of people who benefitted from your lifetime of doing the Lord’s work can attest to that. They, as well as I, are better to have known you.
Local Pastor Speaks Out Against Scandal
Monsignor Guy Massie, pastor of Sacred Hearts/St. Stephen Church, has spoken out vehemently against the latest scandal of the Catholic Church involving priests from various dioceses in Pennsylvania over the past seventy years abusing over 1,000 victims as disclosed by a grand jury report released last month. Both from the pulpit and in a written statement which was inserted in SHSS’s weekly bulletin, Msgr. Massie expressed his anger, disappointment and disgust over the scandal and the cover-up, saying “The clerical culture of placing bishops and priests in a special category of honor and accruing to them special treatment must end.” He urged parishioners to express their outrage to church higher-ups including the current Papal Nuncio to the U.S., Archbishop Christophe Pierre. Msgr. also commented “We are not the first age to go through such problems.” He urges “all Catholics to live the faith with conviction. Do not separate yourself from the Eucharist, pray for our Bishops that they be open to the Word of God. Remember the Church is made up saints and sinners and sometimes the sinful group is noisy, disruptive and gets all the attention. There are many good priests and bishops who are striving to live the Gospel.”
The parish has already held one open meeting to discuss this matter and there will be additional meetings scheduled in the near future.
Happenings/Upcoming Events
Jewish High Holidays – Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins on sunset on Sunday, September 9 and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, September 11. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, begins at sunset on September 18 and ends at nightfall on September 19.
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Pilgrimage on Saturday, October 6. For information, contact adnypilgrimage.eventbrite.com or email pilgrimage@archny.org.
Congregation Mount Sinai
250 Cadman Plaza West
I.S.A.I.A.H., Integrative Sacred Arts in a Hebrew School includes traditional elements of Hebrew school plus meditation, yoga, art, and music. Featuring special family programs such as, Shabbat experiences, Friday night family services, holiday celebrations, and Mitzvah days. For more information, call 718-875-9124 or email admin@cmsbklyn.org.
Tot Shabbat for ages 0 – 5 on select Saturdays from 11 am – 12 noon. Immerse your child and yourself in Jewish and Israeli culture with song, story times, movement, play and holiday celebrations. Free of charge with kiddush lunch afterward. For more information, call 718-875-9124 or email admin@cmsbklyn.org.
Kane Street Synagogue
236 Kane Street
Hebrew School Registration – For information, contact Hebrew School Director Rabbi Valerie Lieber at RabbiVal@kanestreet.org.
Kane Street Kids Preschool Program – For information, contact Preschool Director Rivka Seeman at ksk@kanestreet.org
River of God Christian Center
110 Wolcott Street
Big Hat Prayer Breakfast fundraiser for missions on September 22.
Bible Museum Trip on October 13. Cost is $115.
Sacred Hearts/St. Stephen Church
Summit & Hicks Street
Flu vaccines on Sunday, September 9 from 11 am to 1 pm.
Feast of Our Lady of Sorrow on Sunday, September 9 with procession from 4-8 pm, fireworks at 8 pm in front of the church and Mass at 8:15 pm with Bishop Chappetto. If you are interested in participating, email info@sacredhearts-ststephen.com.
Children’s Faith Formation – For information on registering your child for CCD or volunteering as a catechist, contact Nancy Arkin at 718-596-7750.
Annual Block Party/Parish BBQ on Sunday, September 16 after the noon Mass. All are welcome!
Animal Care Centers Cat and Dog Adoption Event on Sunday September 3 from 10 am – 2 pm. For more info, visit nycacc.org/events.
St. Agnes/ St. Paul’s Parish
Hoyt & Sackett Streets/234 Congress Street
Annual Parish BBQ on Saturday, September 8 in St. Paul Courtyard at 12 noon. Mass will be celebrated in the courtyard at 4:30 (there will be no 4 pm or 5:30 Masses that day). We’re asking all to help out. Please fill out the donation form and return it to the office or in the collection basket.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sunday September 9 at St. Agnes, we will celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the crowning during the 12:30 Mass dedicated to her. A free lunch will follow; all are welcome.
Monthly Fundraising Luncheon on Sunday, September 30 from 1:30-4 pm at St. Agnes Hall. Tickets on sale now for $7.
R.C.I.A. – For adults interested in becoming Catholic, any adult who has not received Reconciliation, First Holy Communion or Confirmation, or any adult who is interested in learning more about their faith please call 718-624-3425 or 718-624-1717 and leave your name and phone number. We will notify you before classes begin in September.
Catechists Needed – Would you share your faith with our parish children, do you have an hour and a half on Sunday morning to share your faith with our children? Please call 718-624-3425 or 718-624-1717 for more details.
Children’s Faith Formation – To prepare for our CCD program this fall all previously registered families will receive current registration forms in the mail. Forms must be completed and updated each year. Registration for ALL RETURNING and NEW students will take place in St. Agnes Parish Hall on Sunday, September 9 after 9:15 Mass until 11:30am, Monday, Sept. 10 from 6:30-8 pm, Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 6:30-8 pm, and Thursday, Sept. 13 from 6:30-8 pm. Our registration fee remains the same: $100.00 per child, $125.00 for 2 or more children in an immediate family. Classes begin Sunday, Sept. 16 after the 9:15 Mass.
Night of Chances Fundraiser on Saturday, October 27, 2018. Raffles, horse races, gift baskets, door prizes, a Grand 50/50 and MORE! Entrance fee will be $10. Monetary donations to purchase prizes are welcome.
St. Mary Star of the Sea Church
467 Court Street
Religious Education for grades 1-5 begins on Sunday, September 16. Registration forms are available in church, at the rectory or on our website: www.stmarystarbrooklyn.com. The cost per child is $100 and $180 for two children in the same family. Class size is limited so please do not delay in registering your child.
Please visit our website www.stmarystarbrooklyn.com and click on the first picture on our home page… that will take you to our latest bulletin with all current events.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Clinton & Carroll Streets
Flea Market on Saturday, September 22 from 10 am – 3 pm. We will have a tables at the Carroll Park Fair and another in our church courtyard selling children’s clothing, books, toys, baked goods, beverages and light barbecue.
Visitation BVM Church
98 Richards Street
Healing Mass on Wednesday, September 19 at 7 pm in Spanish and Friday, September 28 at 7 pm in English.
St. John Bread and Life Mobile Soup Kitchen on Tuesdays from 1 pm – 2:30 pm and Fridays from 10 am – 12 noon (except first Fridays of the month).
Flu vaccines on Sunday, October 21 from 11 am to 1 pm.
Free Mammograms on Sunday, October 2 from 2-5 pm for NYC female residents aged 40 -79 years of age. No cost but insurance will be accepted. Mobile Care Clinic sponsored by American Italian Cancer Foundation. For appointment call 718-624-1572 or 1-877-628-9090.
Thumbs Up for Sister Máire Close – Please visit https://youtu.be/cMADS_uVmCI and “like” the video about the making of Sr. Máire’s CD, “In The Current.”
