Sister Patricia Joseph Corkery, RSM

Sister Patricia Joseph Corkery, RSMSister Patricia Joseph (Patricia Corkery), an educator and retreat director, died August 12 from complications of a stroke at McAuley Convent in Merion Station.A member of St. Anne’s Parish, she graduated from Hallahan Catholic High School in 1940. She worked as a bookkeeper until entering the Sisters of Mercy in 1943. In her early ministry assignments she taught vocal music at Our Lady of Lourdes School. For several years she taught at Walsingham Academy in Williamsburg, VA, then at Mater Misericordiae Academy in Merion Station. She directed numerous musicals and operettas at both schools. Studying in the summers, she earned a Bachelor’s in music from Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart in 1966. From 1964-1968 she taught English and Music at Gwynedd-Mercy College and was Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Resident Students.Beginning in 1968, her ministry broadened as she accepted an appointment to the Movement for a Better World. This Movement, in response to the appeal for renewal launched by Pope Pius XII, focused on change, dialogue, the Church as the People of God, and the world. Later it included participation and justice. Sister travelled the country as part of the team presenting retreats and workshops, as well as serving as Editor and contributor to Atmosphere, the Movement’s publication.In 1971, Sister returned to Merion Mercy Academy to teach Religion, as well as to participate in the formation of the newer members of the Sisters of Mercy.The Community appointed her to the Spiritual Renewal Team in 1972-74. She drew on many of the skills learned earlier as she conducted workshops and retreats in the Center for Integrated Spirituality from 1974-79. During this time, she completed a Master’s in Religious Education at LaSalle College in 1977.In the early 1980’s, the Sisters elected her to the Merion Leadership Team which extended the Mercy mission to Peru. During her final illness, six Peruvian Sisters of Mercy visited her bedside, expressing their gratitude for the work she’d helped accomplish.Her work in renewal prompted her to delve ever deeper into the roots of the Sisters of Mercy, in Ireland, in Philadelphia, and indeed, the world. She was a well-respected presenter on the history and charism of the Sisters of Mercy, and on Catherine McAuley, the foundress. Her portrayal of Catherine McAuley, in full habit and with lilting Irish accent, charmed and inspired listeners throughout the United States, Ireland, England, Kenya, and Australia.She researched and authored The Bernard-Gertrude Mary Years, 1945-1970 which detailed the history of the Merion Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy during that time marked by renewal and change.In her later years, Sister continued to share her compassionate love and deep spirituality as she visited with residents at Manor Care at Mercy Fitzgerald. She was a seamstress and enjoyed modeling her creations. She wrote poetry, reflecting on events in her life and contemplating changes she experienced. She loved to dance and sing. She could easily be encouraged to sing Danny Boy, with a voice that remained strong and true.Reflecting upon her legacy, a colleague once wrote: “How often she has seemed to sense our dreams and visions before we formed them – inviting us to dialogue in the 60’s, to integrated spirituality in the 70’s, to justice later, to prophetic cosmic spirituality in the 80’s. Cherishing our Mercy tradition, she calls us over and over to transform our inheritance into the ever evolving new.” Sister is survived by nieces and nephews. Services for Sister Patricia Joseph will be Thursday, August 18 at the Convent of Mercy Chapel, Merion Station, with a viewing from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 7:00 pm. Burial will be Friday, August 20 at 10:00 am in the Community Cemetery.Contributions in Sister’s memory may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 515 Montgomery Avenue, Merion Station, PA 19066.