‘The Lord filled my heart’: Sister Marge looks on 50-year anniversary with gratitude

Mercy Sister Marge Scarpone says that, in 50 years of religious life, “What I have found most rewarding is the blessing I experience of the faith of the people I encounter,” which includes “my Sisters in community, the people with whom and to whom I minister, and the people I meet along the way each day.”

Currently a religion teacher at Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, Sister Marge described her calling to religious life.

“I chose to serve the Lord in this way because the Lord filled my heart,” she explained, “and I have to share the blessing I have received.”

Serving the Lord

Born Margaret Ann to Gilda (Jill) Aquilini Scarpone and James Joseph Scarpone Sr., she grew up with two brothers in Point Pleasant, attending Memorial School and Point Pleasant High School.

“I received my religious education from the CCD teachers on Sunday mornings after Mass at Sacred Heart Parish, Bay Head,” she remembered. “I loved learning about God and the Church, and I was inspired by all of the laypeople giving their time to teach us.”

She also recalled being “very attracted to Our Lady, and even more so after seeing the movie ‘The Song of Bernadette.’”

Posing with RBC students, Sister Marge joins in the school’s blue-and-pink dress down day fundraiser on behalf of Caseys4Life. Courtesy photo

Sister Marge entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1974 at Holy Cross Convent, Rumson, professing perpetual vows in 1981. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies from Georgian Court University, Lakewood, and a Master of Arts degree in biblical studies from Providence College, R.I. Her teaching career began in 1979 at Sacred Heart School, South Plainfield. From 1982 to 1984 she taught secondary school courses at Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung.

In the Trenton Diocese, Sister Marge served as director of high school and adult religious education at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown. She served from 1986 to 1992 as pastoral associate at St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel. Then she moved to the Archdiocese of Newark to serve as pastoral associate at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Hillside. She taught at Sisters Academy, Asbury Park, and in 2005 began teaching religion at Red Bank Catholic High School.

“My primary focus has always been on serving the Lord by sharing the faith,” she said, “whether as a pastoral associate or a classroom teacher … to help people of all ages and stages of life grow in their awareness of the presence of the Lord and deepen their relationships with [him].”

A Unique Life

Being a Sister of Mercy has given Sister Marge a unifying relationship with those around her. “It is a most special blessing when people know that I am ‘Sister’ and there is almost an automatic connection and trust upon meeting,” she said. “We are all on the journey to the Lord together!”

One of the greatest challenges, she acknowledged, was – and is – keeping herself balanced.

“The Lord is most important – yet if my community life, ministry and family life are not in balance, I am not my best self,” Sister Marge explained. “It has taken time to grow into understanding this … and to make the necessary changes to return to balance.”

Through the years she has encountered some surprises, including expectations she had for her vocation.

“Regardless of how fulfilling religious life is, there will still be times of loneliness, even in community,” she said. “Everyone experiences this loneliness naturally regardless of vocation, because it comes from the empty place in our hearts that only God can fill. When I feel this, I know I need to take some extra time in prayer.”

Looking Ahead

Ever the educator, Sister Marge plans to continue teaching at Red Bank, with additional stints speaking in parishes and for other Catholic groups.

For those considering becoming a Sister, she has advice: “Spend time in prayer, connect with a spiritual director, and learn about different religious communities … Learn about their ways of life and ministries to see if God is touching [your] heart in any special way. I, personally, found myself drawn to the joy I felt when I was in the company of the Sisters of Mercy.”

Sister Marge had her profession ring engraved with the motto “With an everlasting love” – a phrase inspired by Jeremiah 31:3.

“As I have grown older … I am acutely aware that I am most blessed, especially with God’s generous gifts of love and mercy,” she said. “And, I am grateful.”

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