September 20, 1929 – April 23, 2024
Aileen Dolores McGrath was born September 20, 1929, in Queens, NY to Edmund and Janet Taheny McGrath. Her parents were born in Ireland. Aileen was baptized at Our Lady of the Cenacle Parish in the Richmond Hill section of Queens. Aileen had two sisters, Edna and Pat, and a younger brother Edmund. Her siblings predeceased Aileen.
While in high school Aileen worked part time with Barricini Co., the Telephone Co., Kresge’s in Queens, MetLife and B. Altman & Company. Aileen was a member of our lay branch, the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate, for several years before she asked to enter the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity.
In 1947, as she was about to graduate from Bishop McDonnell High School, Aileen wrote asking to enter. She wrote, “His will is my will, therefore I long to follow Him as a member of the MSBT”. She was accepted and entered in September 1947. She professed her first vows on March 25, 1949 as Sr. Therese Aileen of the Crucifixion. Her Final Vows were on March 25, 1952.
Sister took undergraduate classes while on various mission assignments, including Seton Hall University and Rutgers in NJ; Sacred Heart College, Auburn University and St. Bernard College in AL; Holy Family College in Philadelphia and University of Pittsburgh.
Some years ago Sr. Aileen wrote a summary of her mission assignments up to the 1970’s.
“From 1949 to 1968 I was happily involved in Parish Ministry, working in the North and the South. The work comprised of Religious Education (CCD) for children from preschool through high school, census, organizing and conducting youth and adult clubs, writing and directing plays. I did much parish visiting making regular visits to the sick and elderly at home and in hospitals. I also taught kindergarten and did retreat work for two years. When I was in the South, in addition to parish work, I enjoyed Campus Ministry in Auburn, Alabama for seven years.
While in the South, I started a second ‘career’ in Social Work. I attended St. Bernard’s College and Auburn University in AL. In 1968, I was missioned to Catholic Charities in Greensburg, PA where I had a diversified caseload. I continued studies at Seton Hill, PA and received my B.S. in Sociology.
I was missioned to Trenton Catholic Charities where I worked in Adoptions and as a part time Counselor at a nearby High School. In New Jersey I was close to home and my parents who were ill. They both died while I was missioned there.
Afterwards in 1972 I began studies for an MSW at Fordham University in NYC. When I was needed, I went to the Motherhouse and served in intra community services. This included the Fund Development Office, work with our elderly sisters and coordinating Motherhouse volunteers.”
Beginning in 1978, Sr. Aileen worked as a Parish Social Minister at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Philadelphia. She returned to continued studies at Rutgers. Her ministry included organizing volunteers and organizing programs to meet the diversity of needs in the parish.
After completing her MSW, Sister worked as a therapist for a couple of years in agencies. She also served in the Guidance Office at Fr. Judge High School for a few years.
In 1993 she returned to Parish Ministry at St. Katherine of Siena. Her efforts were centered on home visitation, outreach and setting up small groups. Throughout her time at St. Katherine of Siena, Sister Aileen looked for courses and workshops to improve her ministry. Sacred Storytelling, Clown Ministry, Mime and Computer Training were some of her classes. As the need for bereavement ministry became evident, she began working with a Bereavement Support Group. An important part of Sr. Aileen’s ministry was that of making connections. As she listened to people, she became aware of their gifts and was often able to link them up with others in need of those gifts. She stated in her ministry planning form in 2004, “My goal is to help others achieve wholeness, balance, peace and harmony. If they need counseling, I refer them to a counselor. My hope is that my care and concern for others touches the hearts of those I come in contact with, and they can build their own reality and make the world a better place to live in. “Be good, do good, be a power for good.” Fr. Thomas Judge, CM.
In January 2012, her beloved sister, Edna Jane McGrew, died after a long illness.
In 2015, Sister Aileen felt it was time to leave the ministry at St. Katherine of Siena. She had to deal with the many health issues that come as one ages. She believed there were many trained leaders in the parish to carry on the work. In 2017, Sr. Aileen celebrated her 70th Jubilee and became part of the Ministry of Prayer.
Sister Aileen continued to be as active as possible. She made great efforts to use technology to connect with many people and continue to update her knowledge.
In 2022, Sr. Aileen’s brother in law, Dave McGrew, died. He and Aileen had connected regularly since her sister’s death. Aileen was quite sad afterwards.
I had the privilege of talking to Aileen some time after Dave’s death. Aileen told me she prays every day for all of us. Her illnesses keep her from being consistent with prayer and Mass attendance. She talked fondly of St. Katherine of Siena and her past ministry there. She mentioned that the sisters on the third floor were working on being supportive to each other. In November 2022 Sr. Aileen was named to St. Katherine of Siena Parish Hall of Fame in recognition of her Care, Comfort and Consolation.
Sr. Aileen struggled with health problems for much of her life. Recently she told me throughout her struggles with illness and pain she tried to offer her sufferings as prayer for others. Now, Sr. Aileen, you are free of all pain and suffering, but please you keep us in your prayers.