“A passionate advocate for the underprivileged and underserved, Sister Jane was deeply committed to equity in healthcare and was instrumental in advancing Charity Care for those without insurance. Strong-willed, intelligent, and compassionate, she lived a life rooted in faith, justice, and service. She embodied the mission of the Sisters of Charity in both word and action. Her legacy lives on in the institutions she strengthened, the lives she uplifted, and the countless individuals who continue to benefit from her leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to justice…”
Obituary of Sister Jane F. Brady, S.C.
A few months ago, on Jan. 31, we had a Mass and gathering for World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. Amongst the many communities and congregations of Consecrated Religious women and men, the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, were participants. As I spoke with Sister Maureen Shaughnessy, S.C., General Superior, and some of the other Sisters of Charity, they shared with me the sad news that Sister Jane Frances Brady had passed away (on Jan. 23). The wake and funeral were planned for Monday, Feb. 2. I was disappointed that, due to travel plans on Monday, I would not be able to attend. The sisters let me know that there would likely be plans for a Memorial Mass at a later date at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center.
On this past Monday, April 27, I had the great privilege of celebrating a Memorial Mass for Sister Jane Frances Brady, S.C., in the Chapel at St. Joseph’s. There was an “overflow crowd,” including Dr. Dustin Ricco, the current and 11th president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health, and retired President and CEO Kevin Slavin. Many who had known and worked with Sister Jane Frances, members of her family, and many Sisters of Charity were there to honor, remember, and give thanks for her life, ministry, and service.
Sister Shaughnessy offered a beautiful reflection after Communion, remembering Sister Jane Frances as a “strong and courageous woman of faith,” echoing the words of the first Reading of the Mass, from the Book of Proverbs (31:10-31) and giving witness to Sister Jane Frances’ consistent commitment to serving the poor and those in need, during her years at St. Joseph’s and in her work at Eva’s Village and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Morris and Sussex Counties.
When I first heard that Sister Jane Frances had passed away, I had a vague recollection of having heard about her and her leadership as president (CEO) of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Paterson. I couldn’t remember whether I had heard about her from in Living Stones, Msgr. Raymond Kupke’s wonderful book on the history of the Catholic Church in Northern New Jersey and the history of the founding and first 50 years (1937-1987) of our Diocese of Paterson, or from listening to the Coffee with Kupke podcast, or from hearing stories from Msgr. Kupke and others.
Upon review, Sister Jane Frances, S.C. is not mentioned in Living Stones, but her two predecessors, Sister Mary Claire Reilly, S.C., and Sister Anne Jean Regan, S.C., are mentioned. I realize now that Sister Jane Frances isn’t mentioned in Living Stones because more than 40 years ago, when Living Stones was written, she was actively making the history that we celebrate today. It is so fitting that the entrance plaza to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center was designated “Sister Jane Frances Brady Drive” in 2018 to commemorate her contribution to St. Joseph’s.
Sister Jane Frances provided the leadership that equipped a venerable institution to tackle the complexities of the modern era while remaining faithful to its core mission to the poor. Sister Jane Frances purposefully helped to keep the mission of St. Joseph’s in line with the mission of the Church. As Pope Leo XIV notes, “The Church understands that caring for the sick, in whom she readily recognizes the crucified Lord, is an important part of her mission.” As a consecrated religious, Sister Jane Frances accepted the Lord’s call to dedicate herself to the gospel for the sake of the poor, and she did so in keeping with the dedication and effectiveness of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth.
When I contacted Msgr. Kupke, as I prepared for the Memorial Mass, he shared the following:
“When someone like Sister Jane Frances dies, there is often a tendency to refer to her as “one of a kind” or “never to be replaced.” While that is somewhat true in her case, the reality is that she was actually the third in a series of “giants” who built up on each other’s legacy and created the St. Joseph’s Hospital we know today.
The Sisters of Charity may be rightly known for their contributions to education in the Garden State and beyond, but that would be severely cutting them short in their contributions to the field of health care.
The three “angels” of Saint Joseph’s are Sister Mary Claire Reilly, S.C. director of the hospital from 1875-1919. Sister Anne Jean Regan, S.C. administrator of the hospital from 1953-1973.
And Sister Jane Frances Brady, S.C. president and CEO of the hospital from 1975-2005.
In reality, they each got to St. Joseph’s so early in their careers that their time there almost overlaps, and between them they gave well more than a century of service to the hospital…”
Msgr. Kupke went on to say:
Sister Jane Frances’ particular charism was the “clarity of vision” with which she was determined to keep St. Joseph’s in Paterson. She was true to the original charter of the hospital, “to serve the urban poor.” It was a time when government agencies, government funding, uninsured patients, expansion needs, urban blight, inter-hospital rivalry, were all conspiring to push health care out of the cities…
If everyone was leaving the city, Sister Jane Frances was leading her troops in the other direction — into the city — to be a beacon of hope for the poor. As a result of her determination and leadership, St. Joseph’s grew and acquired new state-of-the-art and nationally regarded departments. St. Joseph’s became the anchor for the South Paterson neighborhood, and for many, the first thing you see as you enter the city.
While much has changed in the Church and the world and in the city and Diocese of Paterson since Sister Jane Frances retired from her role at St. Joseph’s, the fruits of her work and the mission of the Sisters of Charity at St. Joseph’s Hospital continues today and remains a blessing to all those who are served, cared for and inspired to see Charity (Love) “in action” especially in the care of the sick, the poor, and those in need.
At each Mass, Jesus reminds us to “Do this in Memory of Me,” as He calls us, not only to remember His Sacrifice, Passion, Death, and Resurrection in the celebration of the Eucharist, but also to remember His “New Commandment,” to “love one another” as He loves us. We also need to remember and give thanks for those who teach us what it means to Love as Jesus Loves us. We must remember, give thanks, and strive to follow the inspiring example of disciples and servant leaders such as Sister Jane Frances Brady, S.C.
Msgr. Kupke described the “real cornerstone” of St. Joseph’s hospital as “the hearts and vocations of the nuns who have given their lives and careers to the place. They, including Sister Jane Frances, lived out with distinction their very own title — “Sister of Charity.”
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