Jubilarians: Sister Mary Terena Gentili, RSM; Sister Mary Catharine Sullivan, RSM

Sister Mary Terena Gentili, RSM
70 Years

Mercy Sister Mary Terena Gentili is one of two daughters born to Dante and Clara Gentili in Trenton. She received her education at that city’s St. Joachim Elementary School and Cathedral High School, graduating in 1951.

Impressed by the devotion shown by the Sisters of Mercy at her high school, and their work with the poor and sick, she decided to research the order and worked for a few years before entering the order as a postulant. Sister Terena entered the Sisters of Mercy in Watchung in 1955 from St. Joachim Parish.

Sister Terena earned her bachelor of arts degree in elementary education at Georgian Court College (now University), Lakewood and began her ministry teaching the primary grades in Atlantic City. Over the next 30 years she taught at the parish elementary school in Bordentown, Diocese of Trenton, and Diocese of Metuchen schools in Perth Amboy, Bound Brook and Phillipsburg.

Back in the Trenton Diocese, she arrived at St. Paul School, Princeton, in 1990 where she taught second grade, reading enrichment to all primary grades and served on the professional staff. She was a member of the staff until 2019 when her order left the parish for the last time after 137 years of service. Her devotion to the school, parish and families of Princeton was legendary.

By Christina Leslie, Contributing Editor


Sister Mary Catharine Sullivan, RSM
70 Years

Sister Mary Catharine Sullivan, the daughter of Edward and Nora Sullivan, was born in South Amboy. Her early education began at St. Teresa Elementary School in Woodside, N.Y. and continued at St. Agnes Academy, College Point, N.Y. Returning to New Jersey, she graduated in 1955 from Georgian Court College (now University), Lakewood, with a bachelors degree in Spanish. The following September, Sister Catharine entered the Sisters of Mercy in Watchung, from St. Mary Parish, Plainfield.

Sister Catharine spent her first years in ministry at Mount St. Mary Academy as a secondary teacher. Following her first profession, she was among the first Sister faculty members of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville. Returning to Georgian Court as an assistant professor of Spanish in 1965, she began a series of positions including Dean of Women, Director of Academic Affairs, Director of Evening Division and Dean, School of Arts and Sciences. In addition to her administrative duties, Sister Catharine never gave up her teaching responsibilities and enrichment programs for her students.

In 2015 Sister Catharine moved to Mount St. Mary, closing a 50-year span of dedicated and loyal service to the university she loved so well. In 2017 she moved to McAuley Hall Health Care Center, where she participates in the wonderful activities offered there.

By Christina Leslie, Contributing Editor