MILESTONES

Christmas Day brought us both joy and sadness this year. Sister Mary of the Savior, fittingly, entered eternal life on the day we celebrate the birth of Our Savior. And, in His Grand Design, on the eve of Mercy Sunday, we gathered around the bed of Sr. Mary of Mercy who died while we were reciting the Mercy chaplet. God is Good!

Sr. Mary of the Savior, O.P. (Cathleen M. Going), age 90, died peacefully at home in the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament, mid-afternoon, Christmas Day, December 25, 2020. Sister's parents, Russell and Margaret (Grandfield) Going predeceased her. Her sister, M. Patricia Going, also predeceased her.

Sr. Mary of the Savior was born in Montpelier, Vermont, in 1930. Raised in a rural area, both Sister and Patricia grew up surrounded by music. As youths, they attended the Vermont summer music camps hosted by the famous Von Trapp family. Sister was an accomplished organist and violinist. She was also an avid student, in her own words, "Studies always went well and easily." So it was not surprising that after graduating from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut, Sister pursued and obtained a Doctorate in Theology from St. Mary's of Notre Dame in Indiana, one of the first women in the country to do so. She became a life-long student of Bernard Lonergan's teachings. Sister Mary of the Savior was also associated with the Thomas Moore Institute of Montreal, Canada for which she worked for many happy years. It was during these years, that an earlier inclination for the Dominican Cloistered Life reawakened in her. After becoming aware, through a friend, of the Monastery of Dominican Nuns in Farmington Hills, Michigan, she applied and was accepted for entrance in 1983.

After her Solemn Profession in 1989, Sister served in a number of capacities - chiefly: organist, liturgist, infirmary assistant, and novitiate instructor. Sister was also a valuable contributor, translator, proofreader for a number of publications both within and outside the Monastery. Having a missionary spirit, Sister also generously shared her talents for several years each at Dominican Monasteries in Nicaragua and in India.

Sr. Mary OF mERCY

Sr. Mary of Mercy, O.P., "Sr. Irene M. Houle, O.P.", age 94, died peacefully, surrounded by her Community on Saturday, April 10, 2021. It was the evening preceding Divine Mercy Sunday. Sister's parents, James and Sadie (Porter) Houle, as well as her blood sister, Mary Rita (the late Thomas) Ruane and a niece, Irene Fuoco, predeceased her. Sr. Mary of Mercy is survived by a nephew, Thomas (Pam) Ruane II and first cousins, Mary Alice Enright and Nancy Callahan and many other loving relatives.

Sister was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 19, 1926. Growing up in Chicago, she never let the fact of her impaired vision get in the way of doing her best. Thus, she was able to obtain a four year scholarship to St. Xavier College. After graduation, she was finally able to fulfill her earlier dream of becoming a Cloistered Dominican Nun.

Sister entered the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament in Detroit, Michigan on October 3, 1948. During the next 72 years, Sister would experience many changes; including the moving of the Community from the location on Oakland Ave., Detroit, to the new location in Farmington Hills in 1966. Sister ably performed many assignments during her life. She served as the Community's Prioress for many years, having been elected to lead the Community for four terms. Sr. Mary of Mercy also served as Novice Mistress, Sacristan and Liturgical Directress.

Sister kept a lively interest in all people - but especially those whom she knew and loved - until her last breath. She will be sorely missed. May she now rest in the peace and joy of her Lord.


We had a wonderful time at our Open House on March 30. We thank all of you who participated.