Grey Nuns Thank Atlanta Benefactors

Published: November 20, 2003

ATLANTA—Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart recently gathered with friends, benefactors and Grey Nun Associates at a Mass of Thanksgiving and luncheon celebrated on Oct. 26 at St. Pius X High School. The spiritual and social event was an expression of gratitude to the Grey Nuns’ Atlanta benefactors. The support of their benefactors helps the sisters to continue their mission to be “visible signs of God’s unconditional love for every person” through ministries of education, health care, social work and pastoral counseling.

Msgr. Richard Lopez, a longtime friend of the Grey Nuns and St. Pius X High School faculty member, was the celebrant of the Mass. During the liturgy, all proclaimed in word and joyful song “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” Msgr. Lopez’ homily emphasized the enormous influence of women Religious on the church because of the depth of their spiritual life. He spoke of their special devotion to divine providence, which has affected many people through the years.

Sister Marlene G. Butler, president of the Grey Nuns, expressed the community’s gratitude to their Atlanta benefactors who support the Grey Nun mission through their generous gifts of time, talent and financial help. “In the context of Eucharist, the prayer of thanksgiving, we thank God for giving the gift of each of you to us. St. Marguerite’s mission—our mission—of universal compassion continues today because of you,” she said.

Sisters Joan Marie Daly, Eileen Murray, Sally White, Mary Susan Thomas, Pierrette Remillard and Frances Whitman continue the Grey Nun presence in the Atlanta Archdiocese, serving in mission at St. Jude the Apostle Church, St. Brendan Church in Cumming, CareShare Exchange, Archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal and Saint Joseph’s Hospital.

Joining in the special expression of thanks were four Grey Nuns who served for many years in the Atlanta Archdiocese: Sister Jean Liston, Sister Patricia Geary, Sister Dawn Gear and Sister Rita Raffaele. “The people of Atlanta and the Grey Nuns have a warm and wonderful relationship that has endured over the years,” observed Sister Gear. “They Grey Nuns are very blessed by their friendship.”

Also attending the celebration were Sister Kathleen Purser, an Atlanta native recently elected to the Leadership Council of the Grey Nuns, Eileen Dickerson, director of development for the congregation, and Sister Rita Margraff, assistant director. Sister Raffaele, who organized the event along with Dickerson, said, “We are delighted to have the opportunity today to renew our relationship with our friends who have faithfully supported us through the years. We couldn’t continue our mission without them.”

The event had great meaning for the Atlanta benefactors as well. “The day was a joyful celebration, bringing together a group of people who have valued, appreciated and loved the Grey Nuns for all that they have given and shared through the years,” said Grey Nun associate Mary Ellen Howley. “I felt privileged to be a part of it.”

The Grey Nuns came to Atlanta in the 1930s. The sisters were responsible for the establishment and administration of many schools including the Cathedral of Christ the King, D’Youville Academy, Immaculate Heart of Mary School, St. Pius X High School, St. Jude the Apostle School, St. John Neumann School and The Donnellan School. More than 170 Grey Nuns have served in Atlanta in their 65-year history here.