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In Memory

Sister Marie Gemma Napolitano of the Passion, MSBT
December 6, 1915 -August 13, 2011

Teresa Rose Napolitano was born December 6, 1915 in New York City, NY.  Her parents were Michael and Erminia (Monteferranta) Napolitano.  Both emigrated from Italy.

She entered the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity on September 24, 1939.  She received her religious name, Sister Marie Gemma of the Passion, in 1940, made her first profession on March 24,1941, and her Final Profession on March 25, 1944. 

Sister Gemma’s first mission was to St Teresa of Avila Parish in Brooklyn, NY.  Her subsequent mission assignments were: San Lorenzo Missionary Cenacle in Havana, Cuba, Reading, PA; Our Lady of Valvanera in Coamo, PR; Our Lady of Lourdes in Rio Piedras, PR; Transfiguration Church in Brooklyn, NY; St. Matthias Church in Richmond Hill, NY: and Resurrection-Ascension Church in Rego Park, NY.    In 1997 she asked to enter the Ministry of Prayer at the Motherhouse where she found numerous ways to serve the community.

On October 2, 1994 Sister Gemma wrote, “I look back and remember I left Cuba 35 years ago today – arrived at the Motherhouse on the 4th.  It is still very vivid in my memory – I do hope conditions will become better for the people.  I feel sorry for people who must leave their home land to try to find peace elsewhere.”   Sister was the Custodian at the time we had to leave Cuba.

In 1983 thru 1994, while at St. Matthias Parish, the State of New York and the Ridgewood-Bushwick Senior Citizens Council honored her for her for her outstanding contributions to the parish and community.  Their words: ”… a kind and gracious woman who has given her life in service of others. … Mere words cannot describe a lifetime of compassion and kindness.”

At St. Matthias, she served in many areas, especially with Seniors and the Children with special needs program.  She had a heart for the poor and an ability to attract volunteers, especially youth. 

She also worked with the Trinity Alliance in Brooklyn, assisted with the annual card parties and many other fund raising events.  She started taking families to the Trinita Family Life Program in 1982 and continued until 1996.   She was committed to participating in the Trinita program.  She faithfully prepared and accompanied the families.  She also worked with these “Trinita Families” throughout the year.

Words that would describe Sr. Gemma:  generous, prayerful, joyful, positive, caring, insightful, and an energetic missionary.  She has served faithfully!

In a letter, she wrote: “All my classmates have gone home – Srs. Eulalia, Rose Isabel, Ann Catherine, Clare Goodman, and Encarnacion.  I hope they will be there to meet me when my time comes.  I like what George Anderson says in the book We Don’t Die “We don’t die – we just shed our bodies.”

May she rest in peace!