Lest We Forget
Sister Elizabeth Sheehy, CSJP (1929-2011)
The Lord called Sister Elizabeth Anne Sheehy to her eternal reward on Monday, November 28, 2011 at St. John of God Retirement Home in Los Angeles. For the last several years, Sister has been a special part of the community here at St. Charles Borromeo. Since 20002, she coordinated the FOCCUS MARRIAGE INVENTORY for couples preparing for marriage in our parish. Over the last ten years she has guided over 400 couples as they prepared for marriage with the blessing of the Church. She was well loved by the couples she met, was often invited to their weddings, and remained close to many of them after their marriage.
In 1979, Sister Elizabeth, who was affectionately known as ‘Sister Liz,’ began a long career at Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills. She began as a freshmen religion teacher, and in 1981, Msgr. Stephen Blaire, the principal, asked her to create a Campus Ministry Program. He simply asked her to bring Jesus Christ into every aspect of Alemany life. From there Sister began a series of retreats for the various classes. In 1985, she heard about a senior tretreat called ‘Kairos.” After attending one with Crespi High School, Sister Liz knew that this was the vision that Bishop Blaire had for Campus Ministry. With her own special touch, and loving compassion for young people, over the next ten years ‘Kairos’ grew, and continues to be a wonderful spiritual experience for high school seniors in many of our schools.
In 1995, Sister Liz was planning on retirement, but Msgr. Bob Milbauer, then principal at Alemany, asked her to begin ‘Peer Ministry Groups.’ Students could discuss their problems, deal with grief and be able to share with other students. Over the years Sister touched the lives of thousands of Alemany students, faculty, staff and parents directing them towards a life filled with love of God, charity and Christian Service. The Alemeny Community, in 2010, dedicated ‘Sister Elizabeth Anne Sheehy Campus Ministry Center’ to honor her, and thank her for her years of selfless service. She considered that acknowledgment a hightlight in her life.
Sister was born in County Kerry, Ireland, on February 12, 1929. She was the oldest of the Sheehy children, and continued her entire life to have a special palce in the hearts of her siblings, and nieces and nephews. She joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in 1948, and made her final vows as Sr. Mary Eucharia on February 3, 1952 at the Motherhouse in Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Sister came to Southern California in September 1958 and was principal of St. Genevieve Elementary School for many years. Her first students are now becoming senior citizens, and are applying for Social Security. Sr. Eucharia’s time at St. Genevieve was followed by ten years as principal of St. Didacus Elementary School in Sylmar. The children in both schools admired and loved Sister, who had a wonderful laugh and smile, but had no time for nonsense. She got the job done with flying colors. After a brief time in which Sister worked in the Department of Catholic Elemenary Schools, as an area supervisor, she was anxious to get back with the students, and began over thirty years with Bishop Alemany.
Anyone who ever met Sister is well aware of why she was so loved and admired, and how she will be missed. May this faithful servant of the gospel rest in peace. May her life continue to inspire us. We were blessed to know her!