Jennie was very connected with her family. She loved to visit her siblings and her nieces and nephews. Jennie was known for the Christmas gifts she would get for them.
She went to James Madison High in Brooklyn. She was a good student and hard worker. She worked in a jewelry store, Western Electric Company, Macy’s and as a Case Aide with Catholic Charities. It was here at Catholic Charities where she met the Missionary Servants of the most Blessed Trinity. She studied at St. John’s University in Brooklyn where she earned a bachelors degree in Social Studies, attending classes mostly at night. She graduated with honors.
Jennie had thoughts of Religious Life before high school, but she was 29 when she wrote asking to enter the community. Sr. Mary Sebastian, MSBT and Jennie exchanged letters, application forms and documents. Her pastor, Rev. Joseph Conway, wrote a recommendation saying that Jennie, “would make a very good Trinitarian Sister as she understands the work involved and desires to become a zealous MSBT.”
She received a letter of acceptance from Mother Mary Sebastian and was to enter on August 5th. But, Jennie spent her vacation time from Catholic Charities that summer on the North Alabama missions with the sisters. While on a picnic involving horseback riding she fell dismounting a horse into a mud hole and broke her leg. She had to be in a cast for 10 weeks. So she spent some time in Holy Name of Jesus Hospital in Gadsden, AL and her entrance date was delayed until September 12, 1962.
Formation was a challenge at times as Jennie was 29 and her classmates were 10 years younger. But she preserved, and on August 15,1964 Jennie made the first profession of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. She took the name Sister Mary Eucharia of Love. She made final profession of vows into the hands of Sister Mary Gerald on March 25, 1970.
After first vows, she studied for two years in the MSBT Juniorate program. She then spent several years on missions in Jackson, MS and Birmingham, AL in Catholic Social Services. She returned to Philadelphia 1969 to serve in Catholic Social Services as an Intake Interviewer. She lived in the Motherhouse, Summer Court and a couple of years in an experimental house, and then at Mother Boniface Center. Sr. Jennie studied for a MSW at Rutgers University and received her degree in 1981. Upon her return to Catholic Social Services, she worked the Family Service Department and later in Parish Social Ministry.
After many years in social work Sr. Jennie applied for the Ministry of Director of the Mother Boniface Center as she wanted to do something different. Sister Jennie worked with Sr. Mary Hyacinth and Guilia Boccuti. She lived in Emmaus Cenacle. The work was demanding and the hours long. Mother Boniface Center was the cleanest and most organized retreat center anywhere. After 10 years at the Center she said she was tired and she was invited to take some sabbatical time. She greatly enjoyed the time off during which she took some classes, visited family and friends and participated in a renewal program and a retreat.
In the Fall of 1999, she joined our ST brother, Br. Joe Dudek, to work as the Site Manager at Hospitality House Day Treatment Center with recovering addicts. Sr. Jennie seemed truly at home in this ministry. Br. Joe wrote of Sr. Jennie, “I have so many wonderful, poignant and humorous memories of our time working together at Hospitality House… Sister was plain spoken and direct but always to someone’s ultimate benefit or edification. I still laugh when I think of her first day as site manager of our new outpatient counseling & training center. Literally, she started from scratch in a very challenging environment and somewhat “not ready for prime time facility.” She was not deterred… such a great missionary… no one ever worked harder. Her reaction was simply, ‘What do you want? By when?’ and ‘Let’s get busy’! I learned much from her. She was zealous, wise and experienced. Her heart was softer than her demeanor would sometimes suggest and her sense of humor could surprise!” It was a great loss to Jennie when Hospitality House closed. For months afterwards she mentioned that she was in mourning.
In 2007 Jennie volunteered at St Michael Parish in Philadelphia, serving as receptionist and office manager. At this time she moved to the Motherhouse. She continued at St Michael’s until 2016. She volunteered a few months at St. Francis Inn, but eye problems began to make driving difficult. She didn’t feel that she had contributed much in her work at St. Francis, but one of the volunteers said to her upon her leaving “Sister your presence has been a light to us.” Throughout the years, Sr. Jennie was very generous to the community, sharing her skills of sewing with others and serving on several committees, Peace and Justice and Liturgy Committees among them. In a community meeting in 2019 she gave an outstanding presentation in on the impact of plastic on the environment.
In 2023 she became part of the Ministry of Prayer and was very faithful to her hour. The past few years were difficult as Jennie suffered health issues including the loss of her eyesight, mobility and loss of her independence. We know now Jennie you are with your Lord whom you loved so.
May she rest in peace!