Sister Mary Faith O'Malley, OP

    Born March 12, 1918
    Professed March 7, 1948
    Born to eternal Life -- March 8, 2008

Isabelle Veronica O’Malley, daughter of Lawrence W. and Blanche Elizabeth Burke O’Malley, was born March 12, 1918, at Chambers, NE  One of nine children, she is survived by her brothers and sisters, Eileen Dowd, Edna Marie Haggerty, Teresa, Joseph, Mildred Goggins, Gerald, Loretta Hargaden, and Leo.   Her parents preceded her in death. 

Though she was taught by the Franciscan Sisters at St. Mary School, O’Neill, NE, she entered the Dominican Sisters because she said she was inspired by her St. Catharine Dominican cousin Sr. Mercedes Duffin.  On September 5, 1946, Isabelle entered St. Catharine Community taking the name Sister Mary Faith.

Immediately after her first profession on March 7, 1948, she went to St. Luke School in Waverly, MA to finish the school year.  That fall she went to Spalding, NE  where she spent 32 years at different intervals in various positions such as teacher, pastoral minister, and nurse-aide at St. John Hospital.   When she left Spalding to retire at the Motherhouse in June, 2003, the parish honored her at a reception and Mass concelebrated by Bishop Lawrence McNamara and her pastor Father Joe Hannappel.  At that time Fr. Joe said, “She’s been forming disciples through her teaching and ministry.  They’re going to miss her compassion, her gentleness, and her healing ministry just by being present to people.”

In between her years in Spalding, Sr. Mary Faith also taught in Missouri Valley, IA; Long Beach, CA; and the Nebraska communities of O’Neill, Ogallala, and Greeley.

 Sr. Mary Faith had a special, close relationship with her family as well as with her community, and her love drew them together.   The Sisters who lived with Mary Faith soon came to know the O’Malley family and their generosity to the Dominican Community. 

 Her heritage as a native of the O’Neill area designated as the Irish Capital of the United States, was proudly reflected in her wit and humor.  It seems fitting that in keeping with the mystical sense of Celtic spirituality, she was called to heaven one day after her 60^th anniversary of profession and buried one day after her 90^th birthday.  Now, Mary Faith, may you enjoy St. Patrick’s Day in the company of your God and his Court.  Our farewell is in this Traditional Gaelic Prayer:     

From death to finish – oh, it is not finish,
But a new growth.
May you be found dwelling
In the paradise of the graced!