“As He passed by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew ... Jesus said to them, ‘Come after me and I will make you fishers of men,’ ... Then He saw James and his brother John. They, too, left their nets...” Mark 1: 1-8

This week we have been hearing the Gospel story of how Jesus called four simple fishermen, Simon, Andrew, James and John to leave their nets and to start a whole new way of life. “Come after Me and I will make you fishers of people”.

I believe Jesus said this same thing 78 years ago to Sister Jean Matthew as years later, He had said it to each of us.

We, the Dominican Sisters of Hope, offer to Sister Jean Matthew’s sisters Alma and Frances, who are with us this morning and to her sisters Jean and Claire who were unable to be with us, our sympathy and assure you of our prayers. Today, many of sister’s nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews are here to join with us in celebrating this Liturgy for sister. We thank you for all of your kindnesses to Sister during her long illness.

Sister was born 94 years ago on the 22nd of January. She was the second child of the eleven children born to Mahlon William Finnegan and Ellen Donahue. She entered the Order September 6, 1926 and made her Final Profession in 1934. (70 years ago)

Although born in Philadelphia, her parents moved to the small South Jersey town which at that time was called Laurel Springs. Later, this section of the town became known as Lindenwold. Sister was eight years old when Saint Lawrence school was opened in 1918 by the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh. Before this she attended the Public School in Lindenwold.

Upon entering the novitiate in 1926, she completed her high school and then attended Mount Saint Mary Normal School. Later she received her BS in History from Fordham University and her MA in Education from Villanova University.

Her ministries included that of an elementary school teacher in New Jersey, New York and North Carolina. Locally she was for eight years a teacher in St. Patrick’s school - 1942-1950, five years Principal in St. Mary’s school - 1950 -1955 both here in Newburgh and six years as principal and superior in Regina Coeli school in Hyde Park - 1955 -1961.

In later years she taught in Religious Education programs, particularly with Special Children in the Learning Center in St. Lawrence school in Lindenwold. In 1991 she retired to the Nazareth Community here at the Mount and in 1995 became a member of the Siena Community upon entering the Infirmary.

From conversations with many of her former students, she was an excellent teacher, remembered for her kind but firm discipline. She gave generously of her time and took extra pains to listen to others, recognizing always that people were more important than material things.

She knew how to laugh and enjoy life and she knew how to make others, especially the Special Children she taught, feel confident in themselves, helping them to recognize the power of God working through them.

For the last several years as we watched sister, sometimes knowing us, sometimes not aware, we knew God was watching over her. Many would say, “What is this life all about?” or “What is God trying to say to us?”

We will never know how she must have suffered these last few years when she was unable to help herself. Think of the fact that for three meals a day a nurse fed her every spoon full of whatever she ate or drank. How every so often during the day an aide would come and turn her, tuft up her pillow and give her a little drink.

I would often stand by her bed and try to ponder the depth of her experiences with her God. She had to have had a love so deep, a love which she nurtured for many years long before she became an infirmary patient for God to have given her such a share in suffering.

Thank you Sister Jean Matthew for the example you have given to us during all these years of generous teaching and especially for the example you have given in these last days.

Now that your life of suffering is over, and God has called you again may you enjoy the reward He promised you 78 years ago. May God grant you His eternal Peace.

Sister Anne Gilson, OP
January 13, 2004

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