Religious Milestones: Christian Charity Sister Mary Leonard Cooke, 60 years

Who would have guessed that the mature religious who is the parish secretary at Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Monroe Township, plays the trumpet? Yes, Christian Charity Sister Mary Leonard Cooke is a musician that accompanies groups at Masses and special occasions with a truly unique contribution to each event. Perhaps you saw her perform in a quartet this past Christmas for the women of the Nativity at their party in the church hall? 

“That was unique in all the world,” she exclaimed.

Years ago, while serving the Jersey City community, she even taught trumpet lessons to three pupils and also had a sewing club with the eighth-grade girls.

Her skill as a seamstress was taught by her mother, while a child growing up in Philadelphia. Naturally then, upon entering at the convent more than 60 years ago, her responsibility was sewing the habits and veils for the young women who were joining the community as novices and making their first profession as Sisters of Christian Charity. She still volunteers her time to sew for the religious. That is, in-between her time at the parish, which keeps her busy four days a week.

Over the past six decades, she has also been a homemaker and cook at convents in New Jersey and Pennsylvania; an administrative assistant to the President at Pius X High School, Bangor, Pa., where she helped set up a new convent, participated in marketing and development, and planned spiritual activities such as retreats and Kairos adventures of discipleship for students; and as treasurer of the Motherhouse in Mendham supervising employees for the maintenance of the building and grounds. The site was home to Provincial administration, initial formation, business and development offices, and a religious-formation college for the 85 individuals living there.

“Everything I did, I loved,” she said about her years of service.

It was as a youngster in grade school that she was introduced to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters. Her parents encouraged her to spend time with them, which led to an active interest in finding out more before choosing a consecrated life. Later, meeting the Sisters of Christian Charity and admiring the enthusiasm and joy they exuded for all of her fellow high school students, she began discerning toward becoming a religious. In 1962, after graduating from West Philadelphia Catholic High School, she entered the convent – much to the delight of her supportive parents.    

“I was extremely homesick, but that’s what I wanted,” she remembered about moving two hours away from her family at the age of 18 to begin her life in the Novitiate.

“The first year was a challenge for me but after that it became much easier.”

Her final profession ceremony was in 1971. For girls considering this path, her advice is clear.

“They should pray and discern. Listen to their heart, to the Holy Spirit,” she said. “Give it a try. You never know!”

She described her calling succinctly in an e-mail message:

“During my life as a Sister of Christian Charity, I have been called to use the gifts God has given me in many different ways and in many different places. I was honored to be a witness to the love of Jesus and the charism of the Sisters of Christian Charity in those times and places. It was a privilege to be able to live the beatitudes by serving so many of God’s people.”

With no plans to retire, Sister Mary Leonard will continue in her parish role in support of the Church ministries, handling Mass cards for loved ones, chatting with parishioners who stop by the office, and carrying out other assigned diocesan duties.

“As long as I can keep going, I’m going to keep going,” she said.