Who is this wonderful woman whose life we celebrate this day. She is a very special lady who came to Newburgh in 1942. Julie was a true Dominican who lived an exemplary life. She lived “VERITAS” in every sense of the word.

Julie’s mother died when she was four years old. Therefore, she and her brother were raised by her father and grandmother. There’s a story about a four year old who was standing with her grandfather beside an old-fashioned open well. They had just drawn water to drink. “Grandfather,” the little girl asked, “where does God live?” The old man picked her up, held her over the well, and said, “Look down and tell me what you see.” Seeing her reflection in the water, the little girl said, “I see myself.” “Ah!” said her grandfather. “That’s where God lives – in you.” God’s kingdom is like that, too. It is in the human heart where love is. I’m sure this is what Sr. Julie learned from her grandmother and her father because she was full of love for everyone.

Julie was educated by the good Dominicans in South Jersey, and she continued to spread the Good News wherever she ministered. I was fortunate to have lived with Julie three times. She taught me many lessons, which I still remember to this day, such as, think before you speak and watch your tone of voice.

Julie was prudent, patient, kind, compassionate and caring. She also practiced true humility because what she did was for the Lord and not for show.

She was the best educator that anyone could know. As a teacher she was understanding, patient and also supported the child who needed the extra push. Both in elementary and in high school she was prepared and loved what she did.

Julie was the best principal I ever knew. She literally ate, drank and slept school. Even when she was not well she would give me web sites for my principals and all kinds of information that she found on the internet. This was very exciting to her.

No matter where she ministered, she was loved by all. I believe this is true because of her calm and peaceful manner.

Her last ministry was Principal of Holy Rosary School in Hawthorne, NY. She ran a school that was superb. Her teachers loved her and she dedicated her life to make them the best by providing excellent professional development.

Recently Holy Rosary School celebrated their 50th anniversary. On September 30 the school and parish had a beautiful dinner dance in Mahopac. Sr. Julie was invited to attend and receive the honorary award. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend, therefore Sr. Regis and I received the award for her. The award said “To the gentle woman who taught us wisdom and taught us love. How appropriate. The town of Mt Pleasant also presented an award which stated for her service, dedication, hard work and love which enriched the lives of children. These awards were well deserved.

This wonderful religious left her legacy in Our Lady of Lourdes in Paterson, NJ, St. Thomas, Cornwall, St. Michaels High School, NYC, Our Lady of Lourdes, Poughkeepsie St. Lawrence, Lindenwold, Western Catholic Primary, Greenwich, Ct. and Holy Rosary, Hawthorne.

She leaves a beautiful family that she has loved and prized. Clare, her sister-in law she loved dearly. Her nephew Tommy, her niece Clare and little Matthew were truly loved. Father John O’Leary, her cousin is here to celebrate with us today and we are most grateful. Other cousins too.

As children of God we have a glorious future because God in His goodness and generosity wants to share his love and life with us. John states “we are already children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed, all we know is that when it is revealed, we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is”. There is a gap between this life and the next. A caterpillar could never tell how beautiful it would become as a butterfly with beautiful wings. The unborn baby could never understand what a gap there is between life in the womb and life in the world. How could an acorn recognize itself as an oak tree? So in this Eucharist as well as praying for Julie we can also say thanks to God for that glorious future that Julie is now beginning to enjoy. Today she joins her mother, father, brother, grandmother and her deceased relatives and friends. May you all enjoy the heavenly banquet.

Helen Doychak, OP
November 10, 2005

The following reflection was submitted by Sister Jeanne McGrory, CSJ , Program Director at Mariandale

On Thursday, November 10, 2005 I had the privilege of being at the Mass for Julie O’Leary, OP in Newburgh. The Liturgy was a tribute to Julie’s life and her love for her family, friends and ministries. These were recounted lovingly in the homily by Fr. John O’Leary and in the eulogy by Helen Doychak, OP.

When I was reflecting on Julie, her life, and the Mass of Resurrection, I realized the piece of her that I knew best was not mentioned.

I met Julie in her retirement years after she had completed her “active” ministry. Yet, what a passionate ministry of retirement Julie lived. We met on my second or third week at Mariandale. At the time she was carrying around her oxygen tank and wearing a mask, yet she insisted I drive her from library to library to deliver the flyers for Mariandale’s programs, a task she handed over to me that week. Previously, she had been the one that outside groups called to make reservations. As she gave those jobs to others, she began to teach English as a Second Language to many of Mariandale’s employees. What a teacher! She worked tirelessly to find ways to make these classes interesting to the men and women of Mariandale. Julie had a laundry basket of props to add to the effort of teaching!

For several years we had a special “bring your child to work” day, and Julie gave a tour of the “Sister’s Wing,” a talk on vocations, and an in-depth class on the Heritage Room. Those children, now teenagers, might know more about what is in the Heritage Room than many of the employees. Julie has always remembered to ask about the ongoing adventures of those children. I know, because one of those children is my niece, Bridget.

Julie was hostess one Sunday a month at the Center, a most gracious greeter, who enjoyed meeting people and taking care of their needs. My own relationship with her deepened because I work Saturdays, and many a Saturday afternoon she would use my computer (before her nephew installed hers) to get all her political news or look up new ways to teach reading.

In an age when retirement for sisters and entering the elder years looking to live new passions is only just beginning, Julie was a model of a “senior” on the move, still caring, still invested, still growing.

BACK