Colleen (Catherine Teresa) Morris

Deceased Sisters

Colleen (Catherine Teresa) Morris - United States
28/11/1927 - 23/03/2017

Colleen was born in St Paul, Minnesota. Her mother was an immigrant from Ireland and her Dad was born in St Paul. She had just one sibling, Mary. In 1936, her mother took her two children, Colleen and Mary, to visit Ireland. Unrest in Europe at that time make travel risky, and when the Second World War broke out, they were not allowed to leave. So they stayed on in Ireland where they completed elementary school in Swinford. When it came time for high school, a Marist school was chosen for them by their priest uncle, Father Tom Foy, because he said that with the Marist Sisters in Tubbercurry they would get “a good education and learn to be ladies.” While still in Tubbercurry, in late March of 1944 their mother received word that they could return to the US by convoy. At that time the Allies were getting ready to invade German occupied Europe. They did return in a convoy at a time when the German U Boats were still active in the North Atlantic Ocean. The convoy would seek to enter any storm that they could find so as to provide cover from the German Subs. This meant some sea sickness for Colleen and Mary which they did not easily forget. But in spite of such troubled waters, they did land safely in Boston in April 1944 and eventually returned to St. Paul.

But Ireland was still in their blood. For Colleen, it was not the whole story to say that she had fallen in love with Ireland; Ireland had fallen in love with her. Her uncle, Father Tom, another uncle and aunt, and cousins encouraged her to return to Ireland to complete her education. And that is what happened. She returned and made Ireland her base but went to England to pursue her nurse’s training.

As soon as she qualified as a registered nurse with many distinctions, she decided to nurture and bring to blossom the seed that was planted in Tubbercurry many years before and in 1954 she entered the Marist Novitiate in Carrick-on-Shannon. After profession in 1956, known then as Sister Mary Dolorita, she went to our orphanage in Edmundston, Canada where she lovingly ministered to the orphans. Because of the need for teachers, she later trained as a teacher and served as principal or teacher in Thetford Mines, Quebec, Dearborn and Eastpointe, MI and Wheeling WV. She started the Gerontology program at Madonna College, served as a pastoral associate in Chicago and Detroit, and in her semi-retirement did volunteer parish and hospital ministry. Colleen had a special gift for ministering to the Homebound. And all of that does not include all the hats she wore.

Colleen had a deep love for her family from whom she inherited a very strong faith. She dearly loved her only sibling Mary, and that love was well reciprocated. Mary married Jim Gowan and they had six children. Jim became Colleen’s big brother. Between Colleen and every member of the Gowan family adeep and loving bond formed. Their home was home for Colleen.

Colleen was a woman of faith who cherished the gift of her Marist Vocation. She was so proud to introduce herself as Marist Sister. The Founder’s vision ‘to make the whole world Marist’ was not just a nice dream for Colleen; she lived it, promoted it, and practiced it. She had a great devotion to Our Blessed Mother and especially to the Rosary. Organizing groups of Marist Laity was very important to her and wherever she ministered she formed a group. She was a woman of prayer with a childlike relationship with God. Every day she spent hours in the chapel.

She had a gift for friendship. She was interested in people and within minutes had extracted from them their joys and troubles. But whoever she met was soon introduced to Our Blessed Mother. And a little preaching, even a little admonishing was not beyond Colleen. And she could get promises from new acquaintances to have recourse to Our Blessed Mother, to pray more or to change the direction of their lives. She loved being with people. Many people touched her life and she touched theirs.

At the end of January, Colleen’s health condition came as a shock to her and to us. She was diagnosed with acute leukemia. She was an inspiration in the way she dealt with it. Her acceptance of what God wanted, and her faith in his loving care were unmistakeably evident. That did not take away from a deep sadness that she felt at having to say goodbye to her dear family and friends. She knew well what the future held and that her earthly days were short. While she still had some strength left, she went through her “treasures” and distributed them with admirable detachment and generosity. With some help, she packed up her clothes and belongings and asked that they be delivered to the St Vincent DePaul Society. While working through the ‘letting go’ of literally everything she possessed, she continued to radiate peace and acceptance. Colleen was very happy and grateful to be cared for at home, and with the help of Angela Hospice, (which she had helped initiate) she was kept comfortable.

On March 17^th, Fr John, our pastor, gave Colleen the anointing of the sick. Though extremely weak, her lips moved in prayer as we answered the responses. For the remainder of her earthly hours, an even greater peace came over her and those who visited her remarked on how tangible was the peaceful atmosphere of her room. On March 23, she heard the words for which she had prepared her whole life and for which she longed, “’Well done, Good and Faithful Servant’, Come Colleen, enter the joy of your Lord, and meet Our dear Blessed Mother who was your constant companion in life.”

Colleen was given a magnificent farewell by her family, parishioners, and friends. All of her six nieces and nephews, spouses, and members of their families travelled long distances by air and road to attend her funeral. On Sunday, there was a constant stream of people at the funeral home, every single one with a story of how Colleen touched their lives. All of Colleen’s family participated in a beautiful liturgy celebrated by Father Joe Hindelang, SM. assisted by our deacon and three concelebrants. Again our parish church was almost full with parishioners and friends who came to say their last farewell to a Marist Sister whom they cherished. On a cloudy overcast day, we travelled to Holy Sepulchre Cemetery to lay Colleen to rest among many other Marist Sisters. As soon as the Final Prayers began, the sun burst forth in bright, brilliant rays as if Colleen were sending us her usual message of joy. To the strains of the Salve Regina she was laid to rest. May she rest in peace.

Deceased Sisters

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