Sister Mary Ida Lynch along with family friends and Sisters gathered for her 100th
birthday on Sunday,
August 24th from 2:00-4:00pm at the Sisters of Saint Joseph
Motherhouse. Sister Mary
Ida Lynch entered the Congregation in 1939 from St. Theodore’s Parish in
Rochester. Confident in her
love for children, Sister Mary made her main ministry serving in education.
“As far back
as I can remember I wanted to be a Sister, but I also wanted to be a mother and
have a nice big family. At first, I didn’t realize I could do both!”
Sister Mary Ida taught at St. Alphonsus and St. Aloysius in Auburn, St
Stephen in Geneva, St. Patrick’s in Corning and St. Joseph’s Villa, Immaculate Conception,
Sacred Heart and Nazareth Academy in Rochester.
“My first
assignment was at St. Alphonsus, Auburn. It seemed miles away, gas was rationed
and I was far from my family. Geneva was a little closer and then I was sent to
the Villa. Not only did I go there but my family got involved too – my parents
suddenly got 24 grandchildren, my brothers became Confirmation sponsors, my
sister was our organist and the Thanksgiving table added more space to take
children who had no place to go!”
Sister Mary Ida also served as Coordinator at Nazareth
Academy Convent and at the Motherhouse Infirmary. Currently, Sister Mary Ida
keeps busy as a volunteer for Motherhouse Congregational Services.