Sister Marie Antoinette

Sister Marie Antoinette was born and raised in the Bensonhurst area of Brooklyn. She attended Mary Mother of Jesus School and graduated from PS 143 in Williamsburg. Sister Marie went on to Pratt Institute and graduated in 1955, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Nutrition. 

Sister Marie attended Ohio State University for her internship to become a dietitian. After her internship, she worked at Lenox Hill Hospital, Mercy Hospital and James Ewing-Cancer Research Hospital (part of the Sloan Kettering Hospital). She also has earned a Master of Science in Education degree from Brooklyn College. 

In 1958, Sister Marie entered the convent, becoming a Josephite Sister. Her teaching career began when she taught Home Economics at St. Joseph’s High School in Brentwood for four years. She went on to teach English, Math and Home Economics at St. Angela Hall Academy for six years and then taught Home Economics at Bishop Kearney High School for 10 years. 

At the request of the late Father Rucigliano, Sister Marie joined St. Ephrem Parish in 1978 as a pastoral minister. She has also served under Monsignor Martin Bannon, Monsignor Douglas Brown and, at present, with Monsignor Peter Kain. 

For the past 30 years, Sister Marie has been the Christian Awareness Program (CAP) Coordinator at St. Ephrem’s. Her deep faith and vocation has inspired her to reach out to the homebound and sick in the Christian community. She has devoted many hours, with the help of many volunteers, reassuring these parishioners that they were not forgotten. Sister Marie has planned two beautiful anointing Masses each year for the homebound, arranging transportation for those who were able to attend. After Mass, they are graciously invited to attend a get together and enjoy the company of family and friends.