Sister Cecilia Ann McGuire, CSJ, died on Sept. 12 in Maria Regina Residence, Brentwood, New York, at age 92. Born Cecilia Mary with her twin, Kathleen, Cecilia grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with her three other sisters, daughters of John and Ellen McGuire from County Mayo, Ireland.
Sister Cecilia began her education at Immaculate Conception Elementary School and Little Flower High School in Philadelphia, after which she entered the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Community in Pennsylvania in 1948. Sister Cecilia studied at Villanova University from 1959-1965, achieving a BS and a BA in Education and permanent certification. Her ministry with children was remarkable and included a specialty in music and an opportunity to teach migrants.
Having spent time in Queens with the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sister Cecilia felt the call to transfer to this community, Brentwood, and in 1975 made her commitment and was received by the CSJ Congregation. Her places of ministry included St. Joseph School, Hewlett; Our Lady of the Hamptons, Southampton; Maria Montessori School and Brentwood Education Center in Brentwood.
Sister Cecilia brought great life and joy to all with whom she lived and with those she encountered in her daily ministry. Her loving and prayerful life was a reminder to all of God’s call to all in their daily way of life. The community at St. Joseph Convent, Brentwood, where Sister Cecilia lived for 25 years, was blessed by her presence, her simplicity, and her zest for life. Her love of family, and family for her, was evident daily.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered for Sister Cecilia on Sept. 19 in Sacred Heart Chapel by Father James Wood. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery, Brentwood.
Rosemary Cina, OP, (Sister Miriam Loretto), a native of Brooklyn and a Dominican Sister of Peace, died on Sept. 25, at the age of 85, at Sansbury Care Center, St. Catharine, Kentucky.
A Dominican for 60 years, Sister Rosemary earned a Bachelor of Arts in English/ Philosophy/Psychology from Siena College in Memphis and a Master of Arts in Library Science from Rosary College in Illinois. She ministered as a teacher in Kentucky, Illinois, Nebraska, and West Virginia and was a librarian at St. Viator High in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Notre Dame Academy in Staten Island.
In 1996, Sister moved to St. Catharine Motherhouse, St. Catharine, Kentucky, to assume the position of administrative assistant to the leadership team of the former Dominican Sisters of St. Catharine, St. Catharine, Kentucky, then went on to serve as the congregational archivist for several years. In 2009, she moved to Watertown, Massachusetts, where she provided community service at Rosary Manor.
In 2018, Sr. Rosemary returned to St. Catharine Motherhouse, where she provided community service. She began a ministry of prayer and presence at Sansbury Care Center in 2019.
Sister Rosemary is survived by her sister-in-law, Gabrielle Cina, her nephew, Robert Cina, and several cousins.
Her cremation visitation was on Oct. 3 at the Sansbury Care Center Chapel. The funeral was held on Oct. 4 at Sansbury Care Center Chapel. Burial will be in the St. Catharine Motherhouse cemetery.
