Sr. Mary Ellen Modesta Byrne, Fmm

(Sr. Mary of St. Nothelmus)Sister Modesta Byrne was born in Carp, Ontario, Canada, September 16, 1913 She was one of ten children born to Anselm and Catherine M. (Rowan) Byrne Modesta left her home and family to join the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in North Providence on June 13, 1938, the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua, where she became the 35th member of the American Novitiate. When Sister Carmel opened the door at Fruit Hill Sister Modesta saw a Franciscan Missionary for the first time. She learned about the FMMs by reading "Far Away Missions" which was published by the novices at the Fruit Hill Mission Press. Sister Modesta began her teaching career with the Odjibway Indians on Manitoulin Island in a government school at Wickwemikongsing. It was there where she ministered for three years as a lay person, that she realized the need for missionaries. The Jesuits who worked there kept encouraging her vocation and she finally decided to become a missionary sister with the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. She often said that she never in her religious life regretted her decision and felt privileged to be an FMM. On her 60th anniversary of religious life, she wrote on a prayer card, "May God be praised. How can I repay the Lord?" After her first profession she was sent to St. Anthony's Convent in Fall River where she taught in Espiritu Santo School, continuing a teaching ministry begun as a lay woman amongst the Odjibway Indians on Manitoulin Island. Later, she served as the principal of Espiritu Santo School. Subsequently she taught in St. Anthony's School in Cincinnati, Ohio, St. Raphael's School, Bell St. Providence, Mt. St. Francis in Woonsocket, as a Montessori- trained teacher and St .Augustine's School, Providence. It was fitting that her final teaching ministry was at St. Michael's, Arizona with the Navajo Indians. October 1995 she was sent to Trinity Community in North Providence where she had begun her missionary life many years past. Keen of mind she had a lively interest in world, church and religious affairs. She served as a part time receptionist and did secretarial work for the local coordinator. December 13, 2004, she was sent to Ein Karim Community as a resident in St Antoine's. In her sunset years, Sister Modesta liked to recall that her homeland was in heaven where Our Savior awaited her and with this thought in mind she was full of JOY! The following is an excerpt from Sister Modesta's favorite Psalm 27 "One thing I ask, this alone I seek to dwell in the house of the Lord all my days, For one day within your temple heals every day alone. O Lord, bring me to your dwelling." Visiting hours will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on November 2, 2006, with a Wake Service at 7 p.m. in Holy Family Chapel, Fruit Hill Avenue, North Providence. On November 3, 2006, there will be a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Chapel at 11 a.m.