Sister Ernestine was born Helen Mulvey in Dublin City, Co. Dublin, Ireland, to Bartholomew and Kathleen Bourke Mulvey. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word at St. Michael’s Convent, County Clare, Ireland, in October 1951. Sister consecrated her life to God through the Profession of Perpetual Vows at Villa de Matel in Houston on August 15, 1959.
Sister Ernestine earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Sacred Heart Dominican College, Houston, Texas. She taught for many years in a number of Catholic schools in Texas, Louisiana, and Utah: St. Francis of Assisi, St. Frances Cabrini, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Ann School, and James L. Collins. She also taught for two years at Bishop Ndingi Primary School in Molo, Kenya. After a ministry in teaching, Sister served as a patient representative at CHRISTUS Schumpert Medical Center and CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, both in Louisiana. In later years, Sister volunteered at St. Austin Literacy Center in Houston, Texas. She was involved for 20+ years in 12-step programs in later years by Zoom. It was a privilege to pass on to others what God had freely given to her. This gifted Sister will be remembered well by her students, their families, and those receiving health care as a quiet, kind, and sensitive person ready to assist in building a sense of self-worth and dignity in others. Her sense of peace and joy was felt by all, and her life was spent “Incarnating the love of Jesus Christ” to others.
Sister Ernestine was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters: Pauline, Annamay, and Kathleen.
Sister Ernestine is survived by her nieces, Phyl, Helen, and Maria, her nephews, Paul, Mark, David, and Joseph.
A special thank you is extended to all who cared for Sister during her last days.
Sister Ernestine’s body will be received at the Immaculate Conception Chapel, Villa de Matel, 6510 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas, at 5:00 p.m. on December 11, 2024, followed by Evening Praise and a celebration of her life. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Immaculate Conception Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on December 12, 2024. A Rite of Committal will follow at Villa de Matel Cemetery.
