ATLANTIC CITY – Members of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, clergy, friends and guests gathered Oct. 27 at Saint Michael Church to remember Mother Lucille Cutrone, CFR.
Mother Lucille, founding member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, passed away a year ago to the day at age 77. She was instrumental in working with Bishop Dennis Sullivan to get the CFR sisters established in Atlantic City.
In his homily, Bishop Emeritus Sullivan shared a few memories of his dear friend, reflecting on when they both visited the Saint Joseph Winter Shelter. He noted Sister Lucille’s pride and joy in the success of the Atlantic City mission – and in her sisters who staffed it.
“I remember saying to her, ‘Mother, it was a gamble for you to open a mission in the city of gambling,’” Bishop Sullivan said. “She smiled and said, ‘Yes, it was. But in Atlantic City, we hit the jackpot.’”
Following the Mass – which was concelebrated by Father Robert Hughes, pastor of the Parish of Saint Monica – many shared stories, some funny, some sentimental, of Mother Lucille.
Sister Faustina Joseph, CFR, spoke of a time when she simply commented on needing new sandals.
“Immediately, [Mother Lucille] took off her sandals. She said, ‘Try these! Try these!’” — Sister Faustina remembered, noting their size difference with a laugh. “Anything you needed, anything … whatever it was, Mother would give it to you. She gave us her heart.”
Sister Monica, CFR, recalled stories of how Mother Lucille always wrote back to those who sent her letters.
“I can’t believe how many people I met at the wake and the funeral who all had the last note that she wrote to them – and these were people who hadn’t seen her since they were kids. But they were all pulling out the last note, [saying], ‘She wrote me this note … I know she prayed for me.’”
“They felt so personally loved,” Sister Monica continued. “She grew her love in her words; she made Jesus present to them.”
Tom Dwyer, whose wife, Elena, was best friends with Mother Lucille since prior to her entering the CFR community, agreed. “She always had a smile that was ever-inviting, ever-present.”
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