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Mary Haskins, SNJM

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad.  Psalm 118: 24

Sister Mary Haskins is one of seven children of William and Josephine (Arduengo) Haskins. Her family history is remarkable. Pioneers in Tampa, Mary’s parents and ancestors played a big part in the history of Sacred Heart Church, which was the first Catholic Church in West Florida.

Religion and faith were important in the Haskins’ home. Her parents were faithful churchgoers and on the way home from Mass, Mary and her siblings were expected to recount the Gospel reading of the day. In the evening the family prayed the rosary together and on Saturday they usually went to confession at Sacred Heart. Mary and her sisters were in the school and church choirs and regularly enjoyed harmonizing with their dad at home.

Along with her siblings and cousins, Mary attended Sacred Heart Academy taught by the Sisters of the Holy Names. She loved the Sisters and the seed of her vocation was planted in her sophomore year. Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, foundress of the Holy Names Sisters, was familiar to Mary and she was interested in the stories by the Sisters.

In 1954 Mary entered the Holy Names Novitiate in Rome, New York, which she described it as “snowy Rome, New York.” When Mary went into the sacristy and donned her new habit, she tripped up and down the steps in later parts of the ceremony. Unknown to her, she was wearing someone else’s habit who was much taller than she was. Meanwhile, the other young woman looked as though she had put on a new quarter-length habit. “Oh, my, those were the days!” Sister Mary recalls.

In July 1956, Mary made her first vows and was assigned to St. Gabriel School in Washington, DC. A few years later she returned to Tampa to teach 6th grade at Sacred Heart Academy.

Today we celebrate 70 years of Sister Mary’s religious commitment and ministry to God’s people:

–    Teaching Religion, Math, and History to Junior and Senior High School Students;

  • Ministering as Director of Religious Education in Florida parishes;
  • Directing a Federal Agency Senior Companion Program with low-income seniors participating;
  • Directing the Greater Tampa Unit of the Alzheimer’s Association at a time when dementia became more pronounced in the Bay Area;
  • Working as Director of Alzheimer unit in a nursing facility ministering to residents and families; and
  • Ministering as Chaplain at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater Spiritual and Pastoral Caregiver Team.

These years in the healing ministry were the most fulfilling and grace-filled time for Sister Mary.

In her 70 years of religious life, Sister Mary has ministered to God’s people in Tampa, Clearwater, Bradenton, Opa-Locka, Key West in Florida, New Bedford in Massachusetts and in snowy Rome, New York. She has a high regard for social justice, care and concern for the poor and homeless and outreach for those in need, and so much more. Mary speaks her truth with clarity and conviction and she PRAYS! Our Foundress Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher responded to the needs of the times. Sister Mary indeed responds to the needs of God’s people at this time.

Jubilee is a time for reflecting and rejoicing… a time for remembering Sister Mary’s journey. It is a time to rejoice for all that God has done through her dedication, commitment and fidelity. It is a time to reflect on a future full of promise and hope as Mary continues to share her gifts of compassion, love and courage. We are indeed thankful to God as we celebrate our dear Mary’s 70 years of consecrated life.