Sister Theresa Sweeney, CSJ (formerly Sister Teresa Corde) and Sister Patricia Sweeney, CSJ (formerly Sister Maura Patricia) passed away one day apart — Sister Theresa on Oct. 16 and Sister Patricia on Oct. 17, two months short of their 98th birthday, and just after celebrating 80 years as Sisters of St. Joseph.
Born in Brooklyn on Dec. 3, 1928, the twin daughters of Patrick and Helen Sweeney, immigrants from Ireland, who settled in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Brooklyn, and sent their five children (the twins, John, Dennis, and Helen) to elementary school there. The twins were enrolled in St. Joseph Juniorate in Brooklyn, the preparatory high school for the Sisters of St. Joseph, and on Feb. 5, 1947, they entered the CSJ Novitiate in Brentwood. Each, in her own way, was gifted in the ministry of education, and touched the lives of many children.
Sister Theresa began at Holy Name School, Brooklyn, with second grade, followed by teaching assignments at St. Pascal Baylon, St. Clare’s, St. Brendan’s, St. Francis of Assisi, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Holy Family during the years 1947 to 1967, also achieving her B.S. in history from St. John’s University. St. Martha’s and Holy Name of Mary were her next assignments in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. She also served as principal at St. Camillus School, Rockaway, from 1961-1981. With her M.S. degree from Queens College, Sister Theresa taught history at Sacred Heart Academy. St. Martha’s in Uniondale valued Sister Theresa’s presence for 10 years as a librarian and principal, followed by 10 years as principal at Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Brooklyn. She volunteered at St. Bartholomew’s in Elmhurst before her retirement.
Sister Patricia (Patsy) began her educational assignments in two Brooklyn schools: Mary’s Nativity and St. John the Evangelist. She was then assigned to St. Anthony of Padua in Rocky Point, followed by six years of missions in Puerto Rico at Academia Santa Monica and San Jorge. She received her B.A. in history from St. Francis College in 1974 and an M.A. in administration and supervision from Manhattan College. Sister Patsy served as principal at St. Ambrose School in Brooklyn, St. Martha’s in Uniondale, and Sacred Heart School in Cutchogue. Sister Patsy spent two years at Bethel House of Prayer and was regional superior in Brooklyn from 1994 to 2000. Sister Patricia continued her ministry at St. Ephrem Parish and Stella Maris Convent in Rockaway.
The two sisters retired in 2005 and spent the last eight years at Sacred Heart Convent in Hempstead.
The Sweeney twins brought their spiritual gifts, along with their creative presence, to every gathering and communal interaction. Their sense of humor, each in her own gifted way, brought joy, peace, laughter, and serious interaction, enriching all present. This light-heartedness was balanced by deep discussion and wisdom, whether with students, friends, or community. They loved people and drew others to their positive gift of God for all.
A funeral for Sister Theresa and Sister Patsy was celebrated on Oct. 22 in Sacred Heart Chapel in Brentwood, New York. Father Anthony Stanganelli presided over the liturgy. Burial followed at Calvary Cemetery in Brentwood.