Lest We Forget
Sister Marian James Carberry, CSJP (1910-2009)
Good morning and welcome. This morning we gather to honor and celebrate the life of an extraordinary woman. On behalf of the Congregation I extend sincere sympathy to Sr. Teresa Catherine Carberry, Sr. Agnes Fox, and Anne Marie, and the many relatives and friends gathered.
Who was this extraordinary woman? Catherine Cecilia Carberry, known to most of us as Sr. Marian James, was born in Ramsey, New Jersey in 1910 to James and Mary Fox Carberry. She was the second oldest in the family of 4 children.
The family moved to Jersey City and that was where Catherine began her formal education. A graduate of Jersey City Normal School, Seton Hall University and Fordham University, Catherine taught in the Jersey City Public School System for 10 years. Strangely enough, after she entered the Congregation she taught for only four years. God had other plans for her.
In 1944 Catherine responded to God’s call to enter the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. She said, “My first reason for entering religious life was to serve God through service to my neighbor, and thereby gain a place in heaven. ” She went on to confess, “My second reasons were not as spiritual. I chose the CSJPs because my cousin, Sr. Agnes Fox, and my sister, Sr. Teresa Catherine had already joined the community, and my friend Rose Marie Carroll had applied and was about to enter the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.” Her ‘not so spiritual reasons’ turned out to be a great blessing.
Sister Marian James was a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace for 65 years and during that time she served the community well and faithfully in
a variety of ministries. She served as Teacher, Principal, Assistant Novice Mistress, Assistant Provincial, Provincial, Regional Superior,
Coordinator of Religious Studies, Coordinator and Religious Director, Pastoral Minister at St. Michael Villa, Administrator of Villa Marie Claire, and Pastoral Minister at St. Ann’s Home in Jersey City. She also served for 25 years as the Moderator of the Guild. Quite a resume for one amazing woman! By the way, she also did other things on the side! Of her many assignments, Sr. Marian James wrote, “I have been very happy in every assignment, doing whatever and wherever I have been as a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace.”
While at St. Ann’s Home, Sr. Marian James was honored as “Woman of the Year” On that occasion St Ann’s Voice publication reported, “Sr. Marian James has given of her many talents and gifts over the years through her ministry to her religious congregation and the neighborhood in which her roots were planted and from which her spirit took nourishment. Her devotion to the human race and her service to others knows neither boundaries nor limitations.”
Sr. Marian James will be remembered for her devotion to her commitments and her community. She will always be remembered for the stately, dignified woman that she was. She was a woman of deep faith – a prayerful, holy woman. She had great devotion to St. Joseph, and at the time of her Diamond Jubilee she said, “I Look forward to my remaining years in God’s service with St. Joseph close by.” Marian was fiercely proud of her Jersey City roots, her Irish heritage, her sister Teresa Catherine, and her family.
Today there is great joy in heaven. Marian has arrived! St. Joseph will escort her into the mansion, which has been prepared for her. We thank you, Marian James for the blessing and gift you have been to us.
Maureen Collins, CSJP