Sign Keeps Principal’s Memory Alive

Written on: February 5, 2015

The corner of 94th Street and 35th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York has been co-named Sister Mary Patrick McCarthy Way. Dr. John McCarthy, Sister Mary Patrick’s brother, spoke of his loss, gratitude and pride at the co-naming of the street. Father Patrick Burns, Pastor, shared his reflections and read those of Msgr. McGurl, close friend/co-worker. Sister Julia C. Lanigan, President of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, was also a featured speaker. Sister’s Irish heritage was commemorated by the presence of a bagpiper, Kevin McCarthy, who was a first grade student when Sister became Principal of Blessed Sacrament School.

Legislation calling for such, and sponsored by Councilman Daniel Dromm, who represents Jackson Heights, was passed by the New York City Council and signed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg on October 2, 2012.

The late Sister Mary Patrick McCarthy (1935-2002), whose parents, Patrick and Norah (Brennan) McCarthy emigrated from Ballinskelligs in South Kerry, Ireland, in 1926, grew up on 94th Street and was for thirty five years the principal of Blessed Sacrament School on the same street.

She dedicated herself to the religious formation and education of its students, to the service of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, and to the broader community, especially to new immigrants, senior citizens, and the homeless.

The street naming is also a tribute to the scores of Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart and their lay colleagues who taught thousands at the school for nearly three-quarters of a century.

This entry was posted in Blog and tagged: #TBT, Blessed Sacrament School, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, Irish Heritage, Jackson Heights NY, NCSW, Sister Mary Patrick McCarthy