Sr. Carol Ann Kane on the Move Again

by Carole Anne Scott

Many local residents fondly remember Sr. Carol Ann Kane who served as Sacred Heart Parish’s very first pastoral associate. Recognizing that a shortage of priests was rapidly becoming a sad reality, in 1982, Sacred Heart’s pastor, Rev. George D. Vartzelis, brought to the Parish Council the then startlingly unique concept of having someone other than a priest or deacon serve on the parish staff. A lively debate ensued as to who would be best suited for the job. A few felt that only a priest should hold that position; some felt that a woman in the consecrated life would be the best fit; and the more liberal among us argued that a layperson should be hired.

I think it’s safe to say that everyone was very happy with the person who was chosen: Sr. Carol Ann Kane, a Franciscan Missionary of Mary. Sister worked among us from 1987 until 1993. Her accomplishments were numerous. She directed and trained the Eucharistic ministers, worked with the Sacred Heart Seniors, visited the sick and the elderly, ran a “Mornings for Mom” scripture study program, and was a friend to everyone in the parish. Sr. Carol Ann exuded a warmth, kindness, and compassion that made her unforgettable.

Her efforts were also recognized in the wider community and she was the recipient of an award from Roslindale House for her work with the seniors. In an interview at the ceremony, people were quick to praise Sister for always visiting the sick, bringing Communion and conversation to them in their hospital rooms.

In true Christian charity, she saw everyone as a child of God and never judged anyone. Once when she was recruiting parishioners to be Eucharistic ministers, someone said, “I could never give out Communion. I’m just not worthy,” to which Sr. Carol Ann replied, “No one is worthy and thus, everyone is.” She saw each person as equal in the love of God.

Laughing and joking, Sister had an air of peace and happiness about her. A music lover, she could be found at the opera and at the Symphony. She enjoyed life and loved people, especially the people of Sacred Heart which she referred to as “the best parish in the world.”

Her Order had primarily permitted her to stay in our area and away from the missions they serve because her Dad was quite ill. Shortly after his passing, Sister was transferred to a new post in Nairobi, Kenya. There too she accomplished a great deal, assisting the poor, running retreats and workshops for novices and priests, teaching religious education to grammar school and high school students, building a new chapel in Nairobi, and even serving on the United Nations Habitat Committee.

Sister’s African years were favorites among Sacred Heart parishioners for her letters would bring us news of a world so different from our own. A talented photographer, she took superb pictures which she shared with us, often affixing her photos onto heavy paper, thereby making her own greeting cards.

Sister’s outreach to her new country provided us with an opportunity to be generous. Children in Kenya could not go to school unless they owned a pair of shoes, an impossible possession for an impoverished child. Many Sacred Heart parishioners responded generously by sending along money for those shoes. Sister also collected funds to buy seeds, so that the local people could grow crops. Unlike here where land is set aside for specific purposes, in Kenya, people take over little plots everywhere. We delighted in hearing Sister’s stories of how the money spent for seeds had been used to plant a crop in the middle of a traffic island.

Blessed with that wonderful sense of humor, Sister Carol Ann always had a funny tale to tell about her new life. She made everyone laugh when she said that her gray hair was a great advantage in Africa. It was seen as a sign of wisdom and automatically accorded her a great deal of respect.

Failing health brought Sister home from her beloved Kenya. Though it has always been her ardent wish to return, God has had other plans for her. For over a year now, she has been living in Brighton. Her work has included providing spiritual direction at St. Anthony’s Shrine and giving retreats, the most recent of which was in Gloucester.

Now, all that is about to change again as Sister Carol Ann is moving from our area back to Long Island, New York where she had been living before her latest move here. Originally set to leave at the end of June, the illness of one of the sisters in New York stepped up her departure date to the Memorial Day weekend.

In her new role, Sister Carol Ann will continue giving retreats and doing spiritual direction. A very versatile woman, she’ll also be in charge of keeping the books!

Sister would welcome hearing from parishioners, past and present. Her new address is: Sr. Carol Ann Kane, F.M.M.; St. Francis Convent; 100 Port Washington Blvd.; Roslyn, NY 11576; and her e-mail address is kenyakane@hotmail.com. Ever gracious, Sister is quick to point out the she would welcome visitors to her new convent home which boasts a nice guest room.

We wish her Godspeed as she continues her mission. Many years ago, when she first left Sacred Heart, Sister wrote, “Though the miles separate us, we are together in spirit and in prayer.” We are indeed.