Photo by James A. McBride
In photo, Sister Sheila Murphy and family members stand on the floor of the recently dedicated Sister Sheila Murphy, SSJ. Gymnasium in Wildwood.
Two Sisters of St. Joseph received the high honor of having their names painted on school basketball courts.
Notre Dame de la Mer Parish, in celebration of the Sisters of St. Joseph, dedicated and named its two school gymnasiums in honor of two sisters on March 16.
The gymnasium at the Early Education/Pastoral Life and Conference Center became the “Sister Sheila Murphy, SSJ Gymnasium.” Sister Sheila currently serves as administrative director of Cape Trinity Catholic, and was principal of St. Ann Regional School from 1985-2010.
Wildwood Catholic High School and Cape Trinity Catholic School is now the home of the “Sister Mary Ellen Ford, SSJ Gymnasium.” Sister Mary Ellen was a former principal of the high school, leading the Crusader community from 1987-97, with the mantra, “small in number, big in heart.”
Sister Mary Ellen died Sept. 2, 2013.
Each gymnasium features a specially designed permanent floor art at center court, displaying the names of each sister framed with the logo of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Father Michael Field, Notre Dame de la Mer pastor, said; “The sacrifices of time, talent and treasure by religious and lay administrators and faculty have reaped tremendous rewards with young people going on to do great things with their Catholic school backgrounds. To be able to recognize these two remarkable and dedicated women in this meaningful way, openly reinforces the importance and impact of Catholic school education.”