Today’s Nunday photo and story come from Betsy in Texas about her dear friend, Sister Margaret McCormack.
I met Sister Margaret McCormack, CCVI (Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio) in 1979 when I was 15 years old. She was one of my teachers in high school but, much more than that, she is one of my biggest cheerleaders, role models, prayer partners and inspirations.
I probably don’t even remember that much from the class she taught back then but the life lessons she has taught me will last forever through me and through my children.
When I was an unhappy teenager she was there for me.
When I was a happy teenager she was there for me.
When I hated my mother she was there for me.
When I loved my mother she was there for me.
When, as an adult, I came to a sort of “truce” with my mother, Sister Margaret was there for me.
When I was a mixed up adolescent trying to figure out my place, Sister Margaret was my sounding board.
When I decided to go to nursing school, against the advice of many people, she supported me.
When I was in nursing school she sent me letters and notes telling me to “pray and stay close to the Lord and I love you.” I read all those notes to my roommates who laughed and said “what an old fashioned friend you have” but I knew they were secretly jealous!
When I graduated at age 21 and became a Registered Nurse, she clapped in the audience.
When I was a mixed up adult trying to discern if I had a call to religious life, she was there for me and EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY when I decided that wasn’t meant to be she told me that didn’t matter to her, she still loved me and knew I would do good in this world and it didn’t have to be as a religious sister.
When I made bad boyfriend choices and when these same bad boyfriends broke my heart I never even had to tell her; she KNEW and was supportive anyway.
When I needed a place to spend the weekend or the night or just the afternoon, no matter where she lived her door was always open to me.
When I decided it was time to travel and see the world she sent me off with more of her same advice – pray and stay close to the Lord.
When I settled in Utah and moved in with my Jewish boyfriend she didn’t care and was still there for me.
When I married him three years later (Outside the church, no less!) she flew 700 miles to be there for me. She welcomed my husband into the “family” and loves him for no other reason than the fact that he loves me.
When my husband and I moved to Texas, Sister Margaret and I rejoiced because she had moved to the Motherhouse in San Antonio and even though I was in Dallas, we were living in the same state again for the first time in 6 years!
When I had my first child and named her Margaret, Sister Margaret was the first person I called and she said it was only right that I name the baby after her because the name Margaret meant “intelligent” and “beautiful.” In the midst of her own grief – for that very same day she was leaving for Ireland to bury her brother – she rejoiced for me and then when they took baby Maggie away to the NICU because she couldn’t breathe on her own Sister Maggie prayed and prayed for her healing. When they told me my baby might not live and might be profoundly retarded Sister Maggie said that we would deal with whatever happened and we needed to just focus on the baby and the celebration of new life.
When we brought baby Maggie home and she was as healthy as can be, Sister Maggie came and spent her first Thanksgiving with us, holding the baby most of the weekend.
When we took baby Maggie to the Motherhouse to visit, Sister Maggie would drop hints about how baby Maggie needed a brother or sister. When I would remind her of my advancing age she said it didn’t matter – her mother had a baby at 44! Four years later when we had a son, she rejoiced again with us.
I have known Sister Maggie for almost 30 years which seems impossible but she is who I think of when I think of a nun or sister.
Everyone in this world needs someone like her.
Update: Sister Margaret McCormack, C.C.V.I. aged 80 years, entered into eternal life on November 16, 2012 at The Village at Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas.
Photos: Betsy and her family celebrate Sister Margaret’s Jubilee (top);
Betsy's children with Sister Margaret
Archived Comments
- September 22, 2008 at 5:11 am
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Man that is beautiful
- September 22, 2008 at 5:35 am
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I’ll say out loud…I’m jealous or more so envious!! What a beautifully written story of the affect we have on each other. The world needs more people (and nuns) like Sr. Margaret.
- September 22, 2008 at 7:27 am
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Amen to that!
- September 22, 2008 at 7:28 am
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Margaret, that is YOU, all right. I am delighted to be your sister and in your band. Adelante para siempre. ritap
- September 22, 2008 at 12:41 pm
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Betsy has captured the spirit and life of Sr. Margaet to perfection. I know , I have lived and laughed and prayed with her and even accompanied her to Betsy’s wedding! This is a beautiful tribute to a genuine and special lady. Thank you, Betsy and Neoni!
- September 22, 2008 at 10:54 am
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Thank you, Betsy, for your beatiful tribute to Margaret, who is a very special and loving friend of God’s and all the rest of us. Neomi
- September 22, 2008 at 2:07 pm
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Every time I hear Margaret’s name, I see her smile and I smile; I hear her laugh and my heart laughs!
- September 22, 2008 at 7:10 pm
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Well, I am certainly glad everyone likes our story and picture! Sister Margaret is very difficult to describe but Carol Ann Jokerst describes it best – I just smile when I think of Sister Margaret and laugh as soon as I hear her voice. By the way, I didn’t just name my daughter after Sister Margaret – back in 1983 I named one of my cats “Maggie”, a cat which, incidentally, Sister Margaret was hiding in the boiler room at Incarnate Word Academy and got me to take it home where I asked my mother if I could keep a gift from Sister Margaret! It wasn’t until after she said yes that I told her it was a cat!
- September 22, 2008 at 8:26 pm
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What I would have done to have a Sr. Margaret in my life … everything would have turned out so differently for me. God has His plan for all of us … I deal with the hand I was given…as I write about. Great story and very uplifting. Thank you.
- September 22, 2008 at 7:11 pm
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*sobs* What a beautiful story!
- September 23, 2008 at 6:43 am
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What a blessing!
- September 23, 2008 at 11:24 am
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I have known Sister Margaret since we were classmates in a country school in Ireland. She was joyous and funfilled BUT bribed some of us with irrestible treats to do her homework!!!! Some 50 years later in Texas she continues to radiate kindness and brings joy and dignity to all those she encounters. No wonder we all love her.
- September 23, 2008 at 11:32 am
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Sr Margaret, So glad you are here with us .You are truly a real C.C.V.I. I pray that good days are a head. You are so helpful and I appreciate all of your efforts to make us happy. Peace, Sr Margaret Mary Daly
- September 23, 2008 at 12:00 pm
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How very true this story is. I’ve know Sister Margaret McCormick since my first year as a temporary professed sister. What I would add is that Margaret has a marvelous sense of humor. At times I think she remembers far too much of my foolishness in the youth of my own religious life. But that makes her all the more charming. Also, I must add that Margaret keeps learning (i.e., attending DVD presentations on the COSMOS by Brian Swimme) and really enfleshes the Love of God in our world today. Thanks for bringing her to this blog. Alice H.
- September 23, 2008 at 12:34 pm
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What a beautiful story – this made me cry. God bless you Sr. Margaret for all that you have done and what you still continue to do.
- September 23, 2008 at 1:17 pm
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This is a very moving tribute. It’s about time the world began to appreciate the day in, day out, vocation that many women of God happily give their lives and heart to.
- September 23, 2008 at 1:23 pm
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What a treasure is such friendship! We don’t earn friendships. They are mysterious gifts only given by a munificent creator. What a blessing Sr. Margaret is because she made the world a little brighter for each one of us. I am grateful for all the Sr. Margarets in our lives.
- September 23, 2008 at 6:48 pm
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Sr. Carol Jokerst says so well what I feel when I think of Sr. Margaret. I feel lighter and I smile, yes, and even laugh. What a fitting tribute to a wonderful reflection of God’s love for all of us.
- September 25, 2008 at 6:47 am
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The above are wonderful tributes to an extradordionary person, Sr. Margaret McCormack who has touched so many of our lives while she served as a teacher and later principal at St. Joachim School in Old Mines, Mo. She continues to inspire us with her loving and welcoming heart which radiates the Spirit of the Incarnate Word. She spreads sunshine everywhere, even on the most rainy days with her wonderful sense of humor. It is a privilege to know her and to be blessed by her life. To know her is to love her.
- September 25, 2008 at 11:46 am
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I so enjoyed reading the story about Sr. Margaret McCormick and all of the comments about her. I agree with all of them. I lived with Sr. Margaret in a tiny Texas town and thrived there, in part, because of Sr. Margaret. We walked the country roads together and visited the hog farm together. We went fishing at the lake and played dominoes in the home of an elderly woman. But, I will never forget the day she brought a puppy into my classroom and said, “Happy Feastday!” That “puppy” got me into a lot of trouble, but Sr. Margaret was there for me when we tried to find a home for the four puppies that we born a few months later!!! I always love visiting with her when I have the chance in San Antonio and we relive a lot of our community memories. Blessings, always, Margaret!
- September 26, 2008 at 4:42 pm
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Margaret, this is a beautiful tribute to you. It’s God’s way of saying thank you for letting your light shine.
- September 28, 2008 at 2:28 am
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I would just like to say how much I enjoyed Betsy’s story and how lovely it was to read about her friendship with Sr Margaret. I am a niece of Sr Margaret’s and live in Jersey. I have wonderful memories of Sr Margaret’s visits to Ireland when I was little and more recently when she has come to visit us in Scotland, London and Jersey. When she visited us recently in Jersey we didnt realise how much pain she was in when she injured her back, and wish her a speedy recovery. She never complained, she still had a twinkle in her eye which reflects her great sense of humour. That is what I think of when I think of her – she does love a joke and can see the funny side of things, although I can really see how close to God she is and how she cares about all her family and I know she is praying for us all the time. She doesnt have to tell us that, I just know.
- September 29, 2008 at 6:33 pm
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The lovely garden in the background of Sr. Margaret’s photo is her second work of love and beauty on the grounds of The Village at Incarnate Word. Her first garden had to be removed to make room for a new building. Sr. Margaret then found another spot where even more of the “villagers” can enjoy the beauty she nurtures. Her laugh and her smile ARE contagious! We all hope her back is much improved very soon.
- October 8, 2008 at 10:35 am
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Margaret: Thanks be to God!, … for who YOU ARE ! !
- December 10, 2008 at 8:31 am
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Thoes are wonderful words about Sister Margaret – I hope you continue your fabulous relationship with here – love to you and your family – love to Sister Mag x
- November 6, 2009 at 11:56 am
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What beautiful words for a beautiful person.. I was thinking about you alot today and what a lovely surprise when this came up. Love always- Veronica..xx
- November 12, 2009 at 4:23 am
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Thanks to all about the lovely tributes to Sister Margaret. Every one of them beautiful and true. To us here in Ireland she will always be ‘Aunt Mag’. As children we awaited her ‘five yearly’ visits with great anticipation (Especially the goody bags). I myself visited Mo and Texas as a teenager and I celebrated my eighteent birthday in the Mother House in Texas. I think I even met Giny bone, in a lovely quaint place call Windthorst.!I think tht is what it was called. love to all and your families, and best wishes to Aunt Mag,.. from the other ‘Margaet McCormack.’ (Mairead) xxxx
- November 16, 2009 at 4:20 pm
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I am overwhelmed with all the wonderful tributes to you Margaret, and all well deserving. I wish you well in the future and we will remember you in our prayers and hopefully you will do the same for us. love and best wishes always. Agnes x x x
- November 29, 2009 at 4:43 pm
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Just to reiterate all the nice things that my sister Mairead and mother Agnes said about our AUNT MAG!!!!. Betsy is priveleged to know you so well. Hopefully we will get to see you again in Ireland if not then maybe in TEXAS (who knows!!!) until then Take Care – Bridget xxxxx
- December 26, 2009 at 5:32 pm
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She’s my great Aunt. This is a lovely and well deserved tribute. Thank you
- December 26, 2009 at 5:43 pm
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What beautifull tributes to my sweet aunt Mag. I am her niece in London and I am so proud of the positive and loving influrnce she has had on so many peoples lives. My cousin Mairead amd myself visited St Louis in 1981 and I have such fond memories of our time there we went on a 4 week road trip all the way from St Louis to San Antonia and will never forget the fun we had it would make a great movie!!!! I will have to get my aunt Mags permission of course but watch this space!!! I love you Sr Margaret and I am so proud of you. xxxxx
- December 27, 2009 at 1:09 pm
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This is a lovely tribute to sr Mag but she will always be my aunt Mag. I’m katherine and sr Mag is my great aunt, we are in London and always looked forward to the 3 yearly visits. i still remember the fun times we had in hawaii at sheila’s wedding at our special table outside the hotel when sheila would always put flowers in your hair and did we ever find those “HUGE” pair of glasses haha, great that your on facebook and we can keep in contact easier. may the tributes continue to you as you are a wonderfull and special person god bless xxxxx
