Mercy Sister Mary Charitas Marcotte, at 91
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 17 in Immaculate Conception Chapel at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung, for Mercy Sister Mary Charitas Marcotte, who died Sept. 12 at age 91.
Born in Woodcrest, Sister Charitas entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1934. She earned a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences from Georgian Court College, Lakewood, and a master’s degree in organic chemistry from Fordham University.
Sister Charitas’ early ministry was teaching on the primary level in St. Joseph School, Trenton, and then on the secondary level in Red Bank Catholic High School. She was then named principal of Cathedral High School, Trenton, where she served for 11 years.
Sister Charitas was then elected Mother General of the Sisters of Mercy of New Jersey. Under her leadership, many changes occurred. There were additional members added to the Sister Formation Program, renovations to Mount St. Mary, Watchung, and the opening of two missions in Costa Rica. She also initiated a study of the charism of Venerable Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, in accordance with the directives of the Second Vatican Council, which called for a spirit of adaptation and renewal of religious life.
After leaving office, Sister Charitas returned to the Trenton Diocese when she was named co-director of the newly established diocesan Office of Evangelization along with then Father Richard C. Brietske. She was also invited to co-chair the steering committee for the centenary observance of the Trenton Diocese. After that she joined the Center for Human Development in Washington, D.C.
When she returned to New Jersey, Sister Charitas became coordinator of Renew at Nativity Parish, Fair Haven. Following that position, she was appointed the parish’s pastoral associate for evangelization. She then pursued studies in Washington Theological Union, Silver Spring, Md.
Sister Charitas once again returned to New Jersey when she was asked to serve as chairperson of the rules committee for the Fourth Diocesan Synod.
In 1992, Sister Charitas went to St. James Convent, Red Bank, where she continued to minister to the people in the parish and share her Mercy values.
Before she retired to McAuley Hall Health Care Center, she was honored at the Friends of Mercy Dinner Dance in Atlantic City. It was noted at the dinner that “Sister Charitas was the most single-minded person I have ever known. To have integrity, a person must possess three qualities. She needs a will that is committed to standing for something, the courage to take a stand and the intelligence to see what is in harmony or not in harmony with her beliefs. Sister Charitas had all of these qualities.”
Sister Charitas is survived by two brothers and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Burial was in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield.
Memorial donations may be made to Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 1645 Highway 22, Watchung, N.J. 07069.
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A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 17 in Immaculate Conception Chapel at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung, for Mercy Sister Mary Charitas Marcotte, who died Sept. 12 at age 91.
Born in Woodcrest, Sister Charitas entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1934. She earned a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences from Georgian Court College, Lakewood, and a master’s degree in organic chemistry from Fordham University.
Sister Charitas’ early ministry was teaching on the primary level in St. Joseph School, Trenton, and then on the secondary level in Red Bank Catholic High School. She was then named principal of Cathedral High School, Trenton, where she served for 11 years.
Sister Charitas was then elected Mother General of the Sisters of Mercy of New Jersey. Under her leadership, many changes occurred. There were additional members added to the Sister Formation Program, renovations to Mount St. Mary, Watchung, and the opening of two missions in Costa Rica. She also initiated a study of the charism of Venerable Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, in accordance with the directives of the Second Vatican Council, which called for a spirit of adaptation and renewal of religious life.
After leaving office, Sister Charitas returned to the Trenton Diocese when she was named co-director of the newly established diocesan Office of Evangelization along with then Father Richard C. Brietske. She was also invited to co-chair the steering committee for the centenary observance of the Trenton Diocese. After that she joined the Center for Human Development in Washington, D.C.
When she returned to New Jersey, Sister Charitas became coordinator of Renew at Nativity Parish, Fair Haven. Following that position, she was appointed the parish’s pastoral associate for evangelization. She then pursued studies in Washington Theological Union, Silver Spring, Md.
Sister Charitas once again returned to New Jersey when she was asked to serve as chairperson of the rules committee for the Fourth Diocesan Synod.
In 1992, Sister Charitas went to St. James Convent, Red Bank, where she continued to minister to the people in the parish and share her Mercy values.
Before she retired to McAuley Hall Health Care Center, she was honored at the Friends of Mercy Dinner Dance in Atlantic City. It was noted at the dinner that “Sister Charitas was the most single-minded person I have ever known. To have integrity, a person must possess three qualities. She needs a will that is committed to standing for something, the courage to take a stand and the intelligence to see what is in harmony or not in harmony with her beliefs. Sister Charitas had all of these qualities.”
Sister Charitas is survived by two brothers and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Burial was in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield.
Memorial donations may be made to Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 1645 Highway 22, Watchung, N.J. 07069.
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