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 Sr.
Mary Ellen Lynch, OP
(Sr. Thomas Marie)
Golden Jubilarian
50 years (July 9, 1954)
Sr. Mary Ellen Lynch, OP, started her journey in religious life a half
century ago as a second grade teacher at St. Clare of Montefalco in Detroit.
Along the way her administrative gifts eventually would lead her to serve
as the Major Superior of her Congregation of Dominican Sisters for two
four-year terms. Using her gifts and talents, like everything else for
Sr. Mary Ellen, is a form of preaching.
As a member of the Order of Preachers, Sr. Mary Ellen finds that “preaching
the Gospel in the ordinary circumstances of our lives is only possible
with God’s presence and continuing grace.” It is a “joy
to minister to God’s people,” she remarks, and she feels it
has been her family and friends as well as her community that have sustained
her enthusiasm and commitment to religious life over the last fifty years.
As a native New Yorker, Sr. Mary Ellen first came to know the Dominican
Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs as a child. A member of St. Vincent
Ferrer parish, she attended the grammar school run by the Dominican Sisters
since 1887. She then went on to attend Dominican Academy and the College
of St. Mary of the Springs in Columbus – both schools run, again,
by her beloved Dominican Sisters. After a journey that has led her to
serve in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, Sr. Mary Ellen now
finds herself back in New York and loves walking the environs of the upper
East Side.
Sr. Mary Ellen served in other congregational administration positions
before taking the helm in 1982, and saw many changes come to religious
life in her time. Her background in guidance and counseling served her
well in the turbulent years in the Church.
Upon reflection, she says in life “we are challenged to give ourselves
in preaching God’s Word of love and truth to all those sent into
our lives – easier said then done.” She is currently in ministry
at her alma mater, St. Vincent Ferrer High School in Manhattan.
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