Sr. Teresa Marie Sweeney, OSF

Sister Teresa Marie Sweeney, OSF Anapolis Goias, Brazil Sister Teresa Marie Sweeney, 86, a member of a prominent Lowell family, passed away May 11, 2017, in the Santa Casa Hospital, Anapolis Goias, Brazil. Born Agnes Marie Sweeney on December 13, 1930, in Lowell, she was the daughter of the late James and Agnes (Blanchard) Sweeney. Sister Teresa attended elementary school at the Sacred Heart School, in Lowell and graduated from Lowell High School in 1948. In May of that year she visited Saint Elizabeth Hospital, in Brighton Mass., where the Alleghany Franciscans ministered and she entered the Congregation in August 1948. Sister Teresa attended St Bonaventure University in Alleghany, graduating in 1962, with a degree in mathematics with a minor in chemistry. She ministered in the field of education in the United States over a 12 year span. Sister Teresa made her Perpetual Profession, on August 16, 1956. Sister volunteered for the foreign missions and was assigned to Brazil, in 1962, where she continued as an educator in elementary and secondary schools. In 1970, she accepted the position of Administrator at Santa Casa Hospital, Anapolis, a small hospital dedicated to providing health services to the poor and needy. For eight years from 1967 to 1984, she served as regional Minister to the Sisters, in Brazil. In 1984, Sister Teresa relocated to Alleghany when she was elected General Minister, of the Franciscan Order. She served in that position until 1988. In 1990 Sister Teresa, returned to Brazil and established many institutions and initiated several programs to assist the most venerable in the poorest areas in the State of Goias. In 1993, she founded NACRI, which means Center for Children and Adolescents. In this center the poor are fed, taught skills and trades, and brought together in a caring atmosphere. Sister Teresa continued this outreach ministry until she retired in 2016. Sister Teresa is survived by her sisters-in-law Donna (wife of Dr. Eugene Sweeney), Eleanor, (wife of Charles Sweeney), several cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She is predeceased by her parents James and Agnes (Blanchard) Sweeney, a sister Katherine (Sweeney) Redding and her husband Leo, six brothers ,Dr. Felix and his wife Ruby (Lepine), James and his wife Marion ( Roberts), Dr. Thomas and his wife Lorraine (Scholfield), Francis and his wife Patricia ( Boyd), Dr. Eugene, and Charles. SWEENEY -- Sister Teresa was buried on May 12, 2017, at Mae Admiravel Convent, in Anapolis, Goias, Brazil. A MEMORIAL MASS will be held at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 144 EAST MERRIMACK STREET, LOWELL on SATURDAY, June 24, 2017, at 11 AM. Donations can be made to the mission in Brazil in Sister Teresa' name made payable to Franciscan Sisters of Alleghany, and sent to Franciscan Sisters of Alleghany, P. O. Box W, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778.

Sr. Teresa Marie Sweeney, OSF

December 13, 1930 - May 11, 2017