By:Anne Marie Allocca
This time, though, the experience was bittersweet. This day marked the last time Shea would be in charge of the children-s First Holy Communion celebration. After 30 years at Holy Name, Shea plans to retire, a decision she didn-t make lightly.
The past 30 years have been very, very beautiful, filled with lots of joys and pleasures, especially the children, Shea said. The children have been my joy. I-ve been here for 30 years, but I-ve worked with children for 52 years.
Before her transfer to Valley Stream, Shea worked in Merrick, Brooklyn and Long Beach. But she thinks of Valley Stream as her home, and plans to live in the convent. I-ve been very happy here, she said. It-s a beautiful community, a lot of caring people. I-ve made a lot of nice friends in the parish and in the community itself. It-s a happy time for me, mixed emotions. This week is a little hard. I think I-ll be here over the summer to help Sister Emily [her replacement] with the transition.
Asked to recall her favorite memories, Shea didn-t hesitate. I love First Communion, and I-ve been doing First Communion for 52 years, she said. One little child, after his communion ... everyone was still milling around, and he was crying. I said, ÔWhat-s the matter?- He said he was so happy and overwhelmed by what had just happened. He was very touched by the whole experience.
At a recent family mass, The Rev. Thomas Harold, pastor of Holy Name, used a baseball metaphor to illustrate the number of children who have celebrated First Holy Communion with Shea: more than the combined home run totals of Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds. Harold then asked all of the parishioners who were under Shea-s tutelage to rise. The church pews were filled that day.
I was surprised how many were there, Shea said. Most of those people who stood up, I had their children here, too. When they would come in to register, some of them I recognized right away. One family, the DePace family, wanted me to take a picture of them because they were two generations.
Harold offered praise for the work Shea has done. Sister Barbara-s 30-year contribution of dedicated ministry to the families of our parish is a remarkable example for those with whom she ministers, he said. The priests, sisters and catechists that were her co-workers, the parents of the children she taught, and the children themselves have all benefited from her marvelous example.
Her unselfish service to the church and the community is a value that needs to be instilled in all our children and lived by all of us as adults, Harold went on. That Sister Barbara has given this type of service is a true testimony to the power of God working through her in her vocation as a Dominican sister. I, along with all the parish, are very grateful, and we look forward to Sister Barbara-s continued ministry among us here at Holy Name of Mary.
Shea makes a lasting impression on those she comes in contact with, especially children. And they show their appreciation whenever they can. One night, as she walked to the convent, a car stopped and a young man ran to stop her. He asked if she remembered him, telling her that he was in her office all the time. She recalled that the boy was in trouble all the time and a frequent visitor to her office. He thanked her for all her time with him.
On another occasion, Shea was eating at a local diner with friends when the waitress informed her that their bill had been paid. A brother and sister, both in their late teens, whom she had taught years before, had paid the tab. I was really very touched by that, she said. I said, ÔIf I knew you were going to do this, I would have ordered lobster.-
They shared a laugh, and Shea recalled that the young man said, Sister, when I was in seventh or eighth grade, it didn-t make any sense to me, but now it all makes sense.
He thanked her for all she had done for him. Thirteen or 14 is a hard age for them to know who they are and what they want to do, Shea said. They come around. Once they hit their early 20s, you see a big change in them.
Her close friend, Sister Elizabeth Marie, principal of Holy Name of Mary School, shared her thoughts on Shea-s commitment. She has a great love for children, from the youngest to the oldest, Sister Elizabeth said. She loves her ministry and loves working with children. I find that her commitment was one of total self-giving. She worked with the school program as well as the parish program and coordinated both, especially for the sacraments. I found her sacramental celebrations went smoothly and were very reverent and beautiful. It-s due to her efforts, and so I-m very grateful for that. She-s a very self-giving woman who loved her work.
Although she is passing the reins of director of religious education to Sister Emily Masse, Shea plans to still work part-time in other ministries for the church. I would love to reactivate the Rainbows for All God-s Children, a support group for children who are in a single-parent household because of divorce, separation or any kind of loss, she said. There are many children who need that support, and they help each other. I also told Sister Emily I would substitute if she needs a teacher, because it happens a lot. I would also stay with the family mass.
Most importantly, Shea has a wish for the many children who have passed through her doors. I would hope that the children that have been here and that I have had anything to do with will have a great respect for each other, she said. It-s most important that they stay close to God and that they will feel God-s peace and joy and happiness in their life as they grow. That will be my prayer for them and their families. Without their parents, that couldn-t happen.
This Sunday, Holy Name of Mary Church will host a celebration on the church lawn in Shea-s honor.
