Sister Mary Ann Mattes, CSJ

Jesus told his disciples: “Have faith in God and have faith in me.” These words gave Sister Mary Ann Mattes, formerly known as Sister Mary Jeremy, a confidence that would permeate her entire life.  We celebrate her life as a Sister of St. Joseph for sixty two years.

Born to Dorothy and Joseph, Mary Ann grew up in Queens attending Holy Child Jesus School and the Bishop McDonnell High School. Soon after graduation Mary Ann entered the congregation and began teaching in elementary schools in the Brooklyn Diocese. These included St. Michaels in Flushing, Holy Name, St. Teresa’s, St. Matthews, Nativity and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn. Shifting from Teaching to administration, Mary Ann served as Registrar at Cathedral High School for twenty six years. Her most recent ministry was with our Passionist brothers in the monastery as Librarian.

Mary Ann followed where the spirit led her. In the gospel of today’s liturgy Jesus tells Thomas that He is the way, the truth, and the life.  Mary Ann sensed this in her own life. She followed paths opened to her, valued human dignity, was very kind and responded by serving where there was a need.

She belonged to multiple communities, Cathedral High School, Mary Louis and Immaculate Conception while ministering here at the Monastery. Now she enjoys total union with the God who loved her unconditionally and guided her life. She is united with all whose lives she touched in the communities she served. Today we celebrate Mary Ann’s life, we thank her and we will always remember her commitment to service.

Sister Mary Ann Mattes, CSJ died on January 15, 2018 in the 62nd year of her religious life.