Sister Stories
Sister Kathleen Hassett, IHM
How does Sister Kathleen hope to be remembered? “I try to be kind and thoughtful.”
“Too Blessed to Be Stressed”
Kathleen Hassett was born in Syracuse, NY, and met the IHMs at Most Holy Rosary GS/HS. She is the youngest of 6 and sole surviving daughter of Stephen and Catherine Dillon Hassett. Her mother’s parents emigrated from Ireland during the Potato Famine. Kathleen admits she always selects any/all potato options in the dining room every day!
Irish families consider themselves truly blessed if they have a son enter the priesthood. In the Hassett family, that son was James. However, James enlisted and was killed at Okinawa when Kathleen was in 4th grade. I was touched by Kathleen’s need to share about her brother’s death; the copies she had of the letters her mother had written to Jim’s Battalion Commander (also named Jim) and his visit to Syracuse. Well, not only do we now have 2 Jims, a 3rd Jim was a good friend of Kathleen’s brother – they met during training when both enlisted. The coincidences continued when Kathleen was stationed in Port Washington and she found herself re-connecting with both Jims! I wondered if I should give this piece so much space, but, then I found myself thinking of the hostage exchange in Israel. Kathleen was in 4th grade when her brother was killed. Today, at 91, her grief and the need to keep his story alive has given me a new understanding of war experiences.
Kathleen’s decision to enter the IHMs was shaped by three experiences I’ve heard often: 1) She helped clean the convent; 2) She covered December 8th exposition while the sisters had lunch and 3) the mothers of Sisters Jamesella and Louise took Kathleen to the Motherhouse for the profession of Sister Elizabeth Costello. In short, she had multiple experiences with IHM Sisters outside the classroom. However, the most important reason why Kathleen became an IHM is because Sister Gerarda asked her what she wanted to do after graduation. Simply being asked the question made Kathleen finally say aloud/act on what she’d been thinking for some time.
Kathleen made her first vows in August 1955 and, by September, she was a primary teacher at St. John’s in Susquehanna! When listing her most memorable experiences, living in Susquehanna comes first and that is because she credits it as putting her on the right path by modeling and assisting her both in understanding what it takes to be a good primary teacher and to understand what a good community life experience is and what role you personally need to play in it.
Kathleen also lists her time at Forest Hills (Our Lady of Mercy). Immediately after Vatican II, the pastor there wasted no time implementing those changes – particularly creating Eucharistic Minister positions.
Except for taking a six year leave for home ministry to companion her two sisters (one with dementia), it reminded me that, at OLP, one of our ministries is to companion many sisters on that long journey home to God.
Kathleen has always been a primary teacher. She not only loved being a part of this formative time, she used teaching strategies that are highlighted today as very effective: freezing pitchers of water and allowing students to drink in the classroom; treating students with popsicles to counter strict implementation of the curriculum and, when the weather allowed, having class outdoors appreciating nature.
Kathleen was no stranger to OLP when she moved here – she had visited often. She has nothing but positive things to say about life here and the way staff meet her every need. How does she hope to be remembered? “I try to be kind and thoughtful.” Mission accomplished!
