Marie Therese, born on September 30, 1932 to Ernest and Lucille Hickey, was given (hanai) to the Edward Gomes family at a very young age. As a member of the Gomes family, she attended St. Anthony’s School, Kalihi (K-8) and St. Theresa School (Grade 9). She then enrolled in Farrington High School from which she graduated in 1951. After graduation, she worked as a secretary at Saint Patrick Parish, Kaimuki, and on February 2, 1952, entered the Sisters of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts. She made her First Profession on February 14, 1954 as Sr. Marie Therese, SS.CC. and her Perpetual Profession on February 14, 1957.
To prepare for her teaching ministry, Sister took courses at Chaminade College and later while serving in Gardena, CA, she also attended classes at El Camino College. She taught First and Second Grades at Saint Patrick School for 10 years before being assigned to teach Second Grade at Maria Regina School in Gardena, CA. Sister served at Maria Regina for 23 years, as Second Grade teacher, as parish CCD Second Grade and First Communion teacher, CCD Coordinator and RCIA team member. She did many things in and for the parish: working with the altar boys, decorating the Church, helping with the BINGO program to raise funds for the parish, singing in the choir, accompanying on the organ, responding to all kinds of requests and needs of the parish.
Many children remember Sr. Marie Therese, their Second Grade teacher! She prepared many for their First Communion. When our Province withdrew from Gardena in 1995, Sr. Marie Therese was assigned to the community of Puawakea at St. Anthony Retreat Center. She embraced her new ministry whole heartedly, devoting her energies to the demands of hospitality for those who came to St. Anthony’s. Her warm friendliness coupled with being well-organized and dependable were invaluable for our retreat ministry. She worked well with the staff. In addition, Sister took charge of the distribution of altar bread . She took great care to prepare and mail out packages of altar bread to many parishes throughout the Diocese.
Sister Marie Therese embodied the spirit of Aloha—the spirit of God’s love. Each letter of the word, Aloha, carries a special meaning that describes Sister so well:
A—Ala: watchful alertness
L—Lokahi: working with and in unity
O—‘Olu‘olu: amiable, gracious
H—Ha‘a ha‘a: being humble, self-effacing
A—Ahonui: working with patient perseverance, diligence.
So as we bid a fond farewell to our Sister, we ask her to help us to spread God’s Aloha here on earth each day of our lives. Thank you for offering your prayers for her eternal rest.
United in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Regina Mary Jenkins, SS.CC.
Provincial, Pacific-USA
01/11/2012