THE CELTIC CROSS
The Celtic Cross is the ancient symbol of the Catholic faith in Ireland. For over a thousand years, the High Crosses of Ireland have been landmarks that represent the celebration of that faith. The Great Irish Fair honors a person who exemplifies devotion to faith and the Irish expression of that faith here in New York City in the 21st century.
Sister Theresa Ryan, S.C., is receiving The Celtic Cross Award. As a Sister of Charity, Halifax, for 58 years, she has dedicated her life to modeling and upholding the finest traditions of religious education for generations of youngsters.
Born in Brooklyn to Joseph and Margaret (Dwyer), both second-generation Irish-Americans whose parents emigrated from Dublin and Limerick, Sister Theresa and her twin sister grew up side-by-side among their five siblings in a loving, faith-filled household.
After the family relocated from their first home to Ozone Park, Sister Theresa began her formal education in Nativity B.V.M. parish under the watchful eyes of the Ursuline Sisters, who would establish a precedent for superlative instruction that would remain with her.
Over the course of the years, the Ryan family relocated from place-to-place throughout the boroughs to accommodate its ever-expanding brood. She began her secondary education at Our Lady of Perpetual Help H.S., Sunset Park, transferred to Bay Ridge H.S. and graduated from William Cullen Bryant H.S., Long Island City.
She became involved in activities at St. Sebastian parish,Woodside, where she was introduced to the Sisters of Charity, Halifax. Their presence, example and dedication brought to fruition her call to religious life.
As a young adult, she entered the congregation at Mount St. Vincent, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and began her studies and preparation for life as a religious sister. Her first teaching assignments were in Massachusetts and Riverton, N.J.
Later assignments returned her to her native New York, where she taught fifth grade and religious education at St. Barnabas parish, Bellmore, L.I., before arriving at her current position at St. Sebastian’s in 1973.
In addition to her everyday classroom duties, which regularly include remedial work with students struggling with reading, writing and language strategies, she also serves as a religion coordinator – guiding the faculty through the liturgical calendar with information, activities and lesson plans.
She established the Elizabeth Ann Seton Service Volunteers and Junior Lectors, and uses her position as school mission coordinator to teach students to be mindful of the missions and contribute funds for various Catholic charities. She inspires students to be true Catholics in the world and they have responded. The diocesan Office of the Propagation of the Faith recently declared St. Sebastian’s as a “Banner School,” meaning that it is the top school for mission contributions in Queens.
