The
appointment of Sister Mary Clare Hughes as administrator of the
Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton has reunited two old friends.
Father Michael Kennedy, C.M. who is now the shrine chaplain, and
Sister Mary Clare first worked together in Jacksonville a number
of years ago. Both were serving at St. Vincent’s Hospital. After
completing her master’s degree in nursing at Catholic University,
Sister Mary Clare was appointed director of nurses at St. Vincent’s.
Father Kennedy who was recently ordained was serving as chaplain.
When Father Kennedy was assigned to Niagara University where he
began a long teaching career, Sister Mary Clare remained in Florida
as administrator of the hospital.
Sister Mary Clare left the warmth of Jacksonville for the cold of
Saginaw, Michigan in 1960. She served as administrator of St. Mary’s
Hospital until January 1962. From 1962 to 1983 Sister Mary Clare
was a member of the Provincial Council of the Emmitsburg Daughters
of Charity. Initially she was assistant to Sister Eleanor McNabb.
From 1972-83 she served as provincial. At the completion of her
term, Sister Mary Clare returned to hospital administration at
Father Michael J. Kennedy, C.M., Chaplain and
Sister Mary Clare Hughes, Administrator
Providence
Hospital in Washington. Later she returned to St. Vincent’s in
Jacksonville. Just prior to her appointment to the shrine, she
worked in pastoral care at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore.
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In the meantime, Father Kennedy received his master’s degree in
English. From 1956-1960 he served as an Air Force chaplain in
Morocco. At the end of his tour he was appointed Director of Students
and head of the English Department at the newly opened St. John
Vianney Seminary in Miami. It was a period of enormous seminary
growth. The student population grew from 80 to 220 in a few years.
From
Miami, Father Kennedy went to St. Vincent’s Seminary inPhiladelphia,
as a member of the Vincentian Mission Band. After a brief time
as Director of Novice Brothers at the motherhouse in Philadelphia,
he was appointed pastor of Queen of the Miraculous Medal parish
in Jackson, Michigan in 1966. While he was pastor, the parish
established Lumen Christi High School which is still flourishing.
From 1972-1979 he served as president and superior of the seminary
at Princeton. From 1979-1991 he ministered successively at St.
Patrick’s Parish in Phoenix, Alabama and as a chaplain at Auburn
University. From there Father Kennedy was appointed director of
the St. Lazare Retreat House at Spring Lake, Michigan.
For
the last few years Father was the pastor of St. Joseph’s parish
in Emmitsburg. In July he arrived at the shrine where he celebrates
liturgy, hears confessions and counsels pilgrims. Father Kennedy
and Sister Mary Clare are looking forward to a fruitful collaboration.
Sister Eleanor
Casey, D.C.
Emmitsburg Province
Mr. & Mrs. Rene Muniz and Lizette &
Adolfo Lantigua and Family visiting the
Seton Shrine from Florida
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