Recent Updates | Religious of Jesus and Mary (US Province)



369570055181500Clarice Dionne, RJM(M. St. Benoit)1922-1945-2020When the news of Sr. Clarice Dionne’s death on April 7th reached the province, comments began appearing on line. “She was one of my first superiors – always so kind!” “I remember her humor, kindness, calm – just plain goodness.” “As a young RJM, I was blessed to be in her community. She trusted and encouraged me.” The sister whose passing brought forth these comments was a Rhode Island native who grew up in Providence, the oldest of two brothers and one sister. Her elementary and secondary education was with the Religious of Jesus and Mary at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School and St. Clare’s in Woonsocket. Clarice’s extended family included 13 relatives in religious life, including two aunts who were Religious of Jesus and Mary. Clarice herself, in a reflection written in 1967, attributes her vocation to “my love for people, and especially for all my teachers,” but especially to “the outstanding grace of (God’s) call … made manifest to me, and without a doubt.” Speaking of her family, she wrote: “Nothing contributed to the hindrance of my vocation.” In August of 1943, when the New England JM houses were still part of the Canadian Province, Clarice traveled to Sillery, Québec to begin her formation with the novice director, M. St. Elizabeth. Two years later, now with the religious name M. St. Benoit, she returned to Providence for her first mission, teaching 4th Grade at St. Charles Parish School. Thus began over a decade of teaching elementary school in Rhode Island, Fall River, MA, and Auburn, NY, while working toward her BS in Education at Catholic Teachers College. Shortly after a year of Tertianship in Rome, Clarice was named in 1959 to serve her sisters at Our Lady of Lourdes as Local Superior, a service she was to carry out multiple times in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, California, sometimes combining this office with that of principal of the school. She also served as Director of Juniors in 1966-67. In 1980, Clarice answered a request to assume leadership of the local community at the Generalate in RomeThe qualities that marked her as a leader – quiet, kindly, unassuming service – were even more in evidence when Clarice returned from Rome in 1983 to join the staff at Bethany Retreat House in Highland Mills, NY. It was rare that the evaluations filled out by those who had taken part in Bethany’s retreats or programs did not mention “the lovely sister” who oversaw the dining room and bedrooms. She graciously answered every request: finding a “better” pillow; picking up toiletries or medication at the local drug store; making sure that special dietary requirements were met. Every week, Clarice drove to the local Shop Rite and filled the station wagon with groceries. Most often, it was she who fetched the mail from the village Post Office. Everyone in the area knew “the nice sister from Bethany.” In 2006, Clarice ended 23 years of service at Bethany, and moved to JM Mission Center in Plainville. She enjoyed and appreciated the leisure that came with ‘retirement’ at 84 in this community. Then, as her health began to fail, Clarice moved to nearby Madonna Manor, where she could receive more care. While she was in Plainville, Clarice shared with Sr. Janet Stolba, then Provincial, a prayer that was dear to her, telling Janet that she made this prayer many times a day. Perhaps it is what is written here that best explains the peaceful, generous and loving woman whom we remember. O Jésus, à votre Coeur je confie ces intentions recommandées.Regardez, et faites ce que votre Coeur vous dira. Laissez agir votre Coeur. O Jésus, je compte sur vous, je me fie à vous, je m’abandonne à vous, je suis s?re de vous. “I AM SURE OF YOU.” RM6/4/20 ................
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