Religious Milestones: Mercy Sister Magaret Ann Noone, 60 years

Mercy Sister Margaret Ann Noone has had two opportunities to serve the Lord – as a Sister of Charity and then as a Sister of Mercy. “I was so blessed by God that I had two chances,” she said.

Born in Jersey City, Sister Margaret Ann was the youngest of four children, all born one year apart. She described her parents as very spiritual people and very active in her home parish, St. Patrick, Jersey City. The Family worshiped at Mass every Sunday, attended novenas and watched Bishop Fulton J. Sheen’s TV show – “Life is Worth Living.”

Sister Margaret Ann is most thankful for her mother and father. “I never had to read a book on love. I lived with love my whole life. That is how my parents were. They were love personified,” she said.

She attended St. Patrick School and after graduating from the Academy of St. Aloysius, Jersey City, she earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Georgian Court College, now University, Lakewood, and a master’s degree in education with advanced specialization in supervision at Kean University, Union. She also graduated from the Family Learning Institute for Counseling, Hudson County.

Inspiration for seeking a vocation in consecrate life came during a retreat in her junior year in high school. “It just came to me that God wanted me to be a nun. I was a basketball player and this decision was surprising to my family and friends but they were very supportive,” she said.

She chose the Sisters of Charity because she was educated by the community in elementary school and high school.

She entered the Sisters of Charity at 17, professed her vows at Convent Station in 1954 and remained with the community for six and a half years.

After leaving the Sisters of Charity, she taught in Catholic schools for eight years before entering the Sisters of Mercy. In 1969, she professed her final vows at Mount St. Mary, Watchung and has been with that community for 54 years.

Her assignments included: teaching at St. James School, Red Bank; serving as principal at now-closed St. Mary School, Perth Amboy; and then served as director of Vocations for the order. Following that, assignment she became a parish minister at Holy Family, Union Beach. From there, she became the co-director of The Gathering Place Retreat House, Middletown.

After retiring in 2011, she lived in Mays Landing where she did some private counseling. She is now living at Mount Saint Mary, Watchung, where she takes pride in her responsibility of decorating the main foyer and the elevator for the different seasons. “I enjoy this very much. I want it to be pretty for people when they come in.” She also spends time visiting the sick Sisters who live at McAuley Hall.

As for what advice she would give to someone considering a vocation in consecrated life, she said, “Be yourself, reach out to others, be kind and loving and you will be good at whatever you are called to be. If you are a kind, helpful and loving person you will be a good Sister.”   

Looking ahead she said, “I am young at heart and I am looking forward to each day and making it the best day that I can. I feel so blessed that God chose me for this vocation, twice.”