Sister Faith Moore

Mercy Sister Faith Moore credits her God-focused service to the good sisters of Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, who nurtured and formed her during her high school years.

One of nine children born to Arch and Lillian Moore, she attended St. Mary School, Plainfield, then was sent to live and study at the hilltop academic community affectionately known to all as “the Mount.”

“I’ve loved the Mount since I was a boarding student there. I had become friendly with the postulants and novitiate,” Sister Faith said. Following her graduation, she entered the community that had formed her Sept. 15, 1946, and gave her perpetual profession of vows May 15, 1952.

The new religious then earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Georgian Court College (now University), Lakewood, and a master’s degree in reading at Seton Hall University, South Orange. She also earned a state certification in elementary education.

Sister Faith practiced her educational ministry first at St. Elizabeth School, Bernardsville, and Cathedral Grammar School, Trenton, before being assigned as founding principal of St. Frances Cabrini School, Piscataway. Subsequent terms in Bernardsville, then St. Mary Academy, Lakewood, followed.

Sister Faith also served as elementary school education consultant for the Sisters of Mercy-staffed schools from 1978 to 1984, a position which led to a quarter-century love affair with the pre-school children of St. Ann Parish, Keansburg, a relationship she recalled with delight.

“I saw the old telephone building on parish grounds, and went over there to investigate,” she said of the town-owned facility. “I went over there to investigate and saw how dirty it was. I saw the children eating lunch, how dirty their little hands were, and thought, ‘I have to clean this up.’”

Sister Faith, with the parish’s blessing, garnered monetary grants and with good old-fashioned elbow grease not only cleaned up the building, but served as director of the new St. Ann Child Care Center for the next 25 years. “I hired teachers for the three- and four-year-olds. We had singing and nursery rhymes, and it was wonderful,” she said.

Sister Faith’s work in Keansburg was not limited to the pre-school center. She volunteered at St. Ann Parish; served on the board of Project Paul, the town’s nonprofit thrift store, food pantry and furniture shop, and helped deliver meals to homebound seniors. For her work in the Raritan Bay community, she was chosen as Grand Marshall of the town’s 2017 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, “riding in an open car and waving to everyone,” she said with a laugh.

Not surprisingly, Sister Faith chose to conclude her active religious service in the place she had grown to love so many decades ago. Following a 2009 leg injury, she chose to retire to McAuley Hall Healthcare Center on the grounds of Mount Saint Mary Academy.

“After my surgery, I came to recuperate in McAuley. I am resting now. I guess I should, because I’m 92 years old,” she said.

Praising the medical staff and others at the Mount who cared for its aged residents, she added, “They are so wonderful here. I am inspired by the people up here.”

Noting the general decline in novitiates and those aspiring to join religious life in general, Sister Faith issued her advice to those who may consider dedicating their lives to service in Christ.

“You’d better do it now before you forget,” she said emphatically. “We need you.”

Christina Leslie