Sister Barbara Patricia Dempsey was called home on Dec. 30 by the God she had so faithfully loved and served for 72 years as a Sister of Saint Joseph. Barbara grew up in Saint Patrick’s Parish in Long Island City with her four brothers and parents, who came from County Cavan. After graduating from St. Patrick Elementary School, she completed her high school education at St. Joseph Juniorate.

In September 1952, Barbara entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph and was given the name Sister Mary Bernardino. Her teaching ministry began at St. Augustine School and continued at St. Francis of Assisi in Brooklyn. In 1960, Sister Bernardino was sent to Ponce, Puerto Rico, where for the next seven years, she taught at Colegio San Conrado and then Colegio Santa Teresita while earning a BA from the Catholic University of Puerto Rico.

Returning to Brooklyn in 1967, Sister Barbara taught at St. Malachy, St. Teresa of Avila, St. James, Epiphany, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Anthony/St. Alphonsus, St. Rita, Most Precious Blood, and St. Francis de Sales. During this time, she was awarded an MA in bilingual education from New York University and NYS Certification in social studies and Spanish. Although she taught all of the elementary grades for many years, Sister Barbara was particularly drawn to those in which preparation for the sacraments of reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist were received for the first time.

Her love for children and her great desire to help them grow in their faith and love of God was evident in Sister Barbara’s
involvement in the religious education programs in the parishes she served and the summer programs in which she was involved.

For the past 14 years, Sister Barbara has been an active participant in the daily life of the St. Joseph Convent Community while
enjoying her special times for quiet prayer, listening to music (especially Irish tunes), and connecting with family and friends. Msgr. David Cassato, a dear friend, led the sisters, the convent community, relatives, and friends in celebrating Barbara’s life and legacy in the Mass of Christian Burial in Sacred Heart Chapel on Jan. 8. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery.