WESTFIELD-“Community” is a word that is synonymous with Sister of St. Joseph Jane Morrissey.
On a recent morning we met her at St. Mary’s Elementary School on Bartlett Street – where her roots started more than 70 years ago.
Twins Stella (sitting) and Charlotte Salls chat with Sister Jane Morrissey, SSJ, in Jen Daley’s classroom at St. Mary’s Elementary School in Westfield.
“St. Mary’s classes were all in this same building so it was a community,” said Morrissey, adding she has also celebrated her 50th year with the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Her Irish roots, along with her commitment to her family and her role as humanitarian and educator over the years, led her to be chosen as the 66th grand marshal of the 2017 Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade.
“The mission of our committee speaks to God, heritage and service,” said Michael J. Moriarty, president of the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee of Holyoke, in a statement. “Sister Jane represents each of these facets, and in particular, the creation of Homework House is a legacy of service to the City of Holyoke that is immense. We are thrilled that Sister Jane has accepted this honor and we look forward to March 19, when she will lead the parade down the streets of Holyoke.”
Morrissey lived at 47 Franklin St. for most of her childhood and her family moved to 81 Court St. by the time she was ending the sixth grade. Her mother, Anna Morrissey, was a teacher at the Fort Meadow School and volunteered her time reading to disadvantaged children at St. Mary’s, while her father, Richard Morrissey, was a lawyer and Clerk of Courts in Westfield. Morrissey is one of seven siblings – five sisters and one brother.
Looking back last week, she said a pivotal moment in seventh grade at St. Mary’s was when her class was given a homework assignment to “find a new way to practice the works of mercy.” Some of the corporal and spiritual teachings that Morrissey learned early in her Catholic life was the importance of feeding the hungry, instructing the ignorant, and visiting the imprisoned.
“On my way home from school I stopped at my father’s law office,” said Morrissey. “I said ‘Daddy, I don’t know what I can do.’”
Morrissey said her father had an “amazing conversation” with her and when she left his office she was filled with joy – and new ideas – about her responsibilities as a follower of Christ.
During the conversation, her father also gave her a pamphlet of the Virgin Mary which had been given to him earlier in the day. He had encouraged Morrissey to consider passing it on to someone who was alone and needed comfort.
At the end of the afternoon her father brought her to what is now Westfield City Hall where one prison cell was designated in the basement.
“When I saw a man locked in the cell who had a drinking problem I immediately thought about visiting the imprisoned,” said Morrissey. “That moment took a hold on me. God wants us to follow our heart and dreams and also asks us to do these works of mercy.” Morrissey passed on the pamphlet to the gentleman in the cell.
Now at 75, Morrissey has followed her dreams, graduating from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in 1962, working among the poor in several countries including Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Guatemala, and teaching students in local schools and at the Elms. Morrissey was also one of the founders of Gray House in the north end of Springfield, and she and Sister of St. Joseph Maureen Broughan started Homework House in 2006 in Holyoke. Morrissey also served for many years as president of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Springfield.
Her days continue to be filled with meetings and acts of service to those in the Greater Springfield area. Receiving the parade marshal honor is especially poignant for Morrissey.
Sister Jane Morrissey, SSJ, returned to St. Mary’s Elementary School in Westfield recently. She is seen in the entrance to the school next to the “Welcome” sign.
“I am profoundly honored,” said Morrissey, adding, “By honoring me you honor all of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the 71 Morrissey’s in my family.”
Morrissey knows that the seed for her life’s work was planted under the roof at St. Mary’s Elementary School all those years ago.
“It’s important to be true to your heritage, and what I learned of my faith was from my family and the Sisters of St. Joseph who educated me from first grade through college,” said Morrissey. “They all guided me and taught me how to touch the hearts of others.”
