Throughout her 59 years as a professed religious, Sister Ann Byrnes, RSM, has worn a mantra around her finger, and it’s one she holds close to her heart: “The Lord has been good to me.”
This phrase is inscribed on the ring given to her after she made vows to her religious community, and it is a reminder of the gifts she’s been given and the goodness she’s encountered along her spiritual journey.
As a pillar of Cherry Hill’s Saint Thomas More Parish community for the past 15 years, including as pastoral associate for lifelong faith formation, Sister Ann has worked tirelessly to be an example of the Gospel.
Be it preparing candidates in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults; training altar servers and lectors; assisting at weekend Masses; organizing the parish’s seasonal Small Christian Communities program and Festival of Lessons and Carols; or advocating for life and liberty as the dedicated leader of the Faith and Justice Team, Sister Ann has helped the faithful deepen their relationship with God and others.
Now, as she begins her retirement, she and fellow colleagues reflect on what they call “a blessed experience.”
Education and outreach
Raised on a farm in Woodstown, Salem County, Sister Ann said the Catholic faith “was a gift nurtured by my parents” to her and her five siblings.
“We would pray the Rosary together as a family, never missed Mass, and my parents sent all of us to Catholic school,” she remembered.
After an education at Saint Joseph elementary school in Swedesboro, and, later, Saint James High School in Carneys Point, she was drawn to the Sisters of Mercy community in Watchung, 100 miles from home, which held family ties.
“My aunt was a Sister of Mercy, Sister Mary Leo, who served in Atlantic City for 45 years,” she said.
Entering the community in 1965, and making first vows three years later, she soon made her way back to South Jersey for her first stint in the Diocese of Camden, as a teacher at Saint John School, Paulsboro (1969-1972); Saint John, Collingswood (1972-1975); and Saint Nicholas, Atlantic City (1975-1978).
Next came roles as director of religious education, first at Holy Family/Saints Peter and Paul Parishes in Washington Township (1978-1983), and Saint Rose of Lima, Haddon Heights (1983-1988), and parish ministry work in Pennsylvania, before returning to the Diocese of Camden in 2010 at Saint Thomas More.
Along the way, she earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Georgian Court University, Lakewood; a master’s in theology from Notre Dame University, South Bend, Ind.; and a master’s in holistic spirituality/spiritual direction from Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia.
“It was a good decision,” she said of her life as a Sister of Mercy.
Dr. Michael Sims, director of the Diocese’s Office of Life & Justice Ministries, has collaborated with Sister Ann and the parish Life and Justice Team in raising awareness on issues including gun violence, immigration, caring for creation and supporting pregnant mothers. He praised her “balanced approach to life and justice issues.”
“She is a great educator,” Dr. Sims said. “She has been very hospitable and kind, but firm and focused on what level of awareness needed to happen. She is a good [model] in terms of the breadth and scope of her programming, her professionalism and her spiritual leadership.”
A stable influence
When Sister Ann first arrived at Saint Thomas More Parish in 2010, one of the first to welcome her was Shirley Kane, a longtime parish volunteer who now considers the religious “a good, dear friend.”
Kane noted that Sister Ann brought her classroom experience to parishioners, creating vibrant lessons on saints and Scripture. What Kane found most enriching were the Small Christian Communities that Sister Ann organized – individuals forming in groups for the four weeks of Advent and six weeks of Lent to reflect on God’s Word.
“These communities enabled people’s connections to the Church, and each other, to deepen,” Kane said, adding that throughout Sister Ann’s tenure at the parish, “her welcoming spirit and collaborative nature made her a stable influence in building up the mission of the Body of Christ.”
“I am a better disciple because of her influence, and I know that countless others feel the same,” Kane said.
Like Kane, Sister Ann sees the work of the Small Christian Communities as “the heart of the parish. I have a great appreciation for what they can do in building lasting bonds among faithful.”
“I also value our Faith and Justice Team, which helps parishioners know [the tenets] of Catholic social teaching, pray about justice issues and get involved in writing to their leaders. … What I’m most proud of, though, is initiating different projects that brought people closer to the Lord, deepened their faith and touched their hearts. I’m proud of sharing my journey with God, the love of Christ within me, with others.”
On April 29, Sister Ann’s last day at the parish, all expressed gratitude with a Mass, words of thanks and gifts. Father Edward Namiotka, pastor, thanked her, saying, “We wish you well in your retirement. You have our prayers and best wishes for the future.”
Sister Ann said she was moved by the outpouring of appreciation and love from the parish community, whom have “inspired me with their faithfulness and goodness.”
Going forward, Sister Ann said she plans to continue guiding others in spiritual direction, doing more in her religious community and staying involved in social justice issues.
All the while, the one who has guided many will remember the hope and promise of the one who has led her. “I hold my relationship with the Lord dearly. He’s guided me in every direction, and He’s supported me in all my efforts to spread the Good News.”
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