Dominican who has spent her life serving the needy infirm turns 100

Published: 2005-07-28

DENVER (CNS) -- Sister Marie Therese McGath, who celebrated her 100th birthday July 18 in Denver, has spent her life in service, ministering to the needy infirm. In religious life for nearly 74 years, she is a Dominican Sister of Hope. Her order was formerly called the Dominican Sisters of the Sick Poor. Alice McGath -- Sister Marie Therese's name at birth -- was born in 1905 on a family farm in County Galway, Ireland. While growing up she was surrounded by religious women. Her father had a sister who was a nun; her mother had seven sisters who entered religious life. "It was hard for me to escape the convent," Sister Marie Therese said, laughing softly. Sister Marie Therese received her degree as a registered nurse in New York. She ministered to the sick in the Bronx, in Springfield, Ohio, and in Manhattan before being assigned to Denver in 1946. Two years later she was sent to Cincinnati. She returned to the Denver convent in 1955 and has remained there ever since. Her 52-year ministry in the archdiocese has included nursing, home visiting, administrative duties, fundraising and coordinating volunteers.

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