It seems every time I research the life of one holy person, I find the life of another. We live in a world where most of the news focuses on the negative and yet there are so many holy people who live among us- many will never be known in our lifetime.
One such woman, who died not 35 years ago was VENERABLE MOTHER MARY ANGELINE TERESA, who pioneered a different approach to the care of the elderly and infirm. In addition to fulfilling physical and spiritual needs, she stressed the importance of a home-like atmosphere that encouraged residents to maintain their personal sense of dignity and independence. To that end Mother Angeline founded a new religious community - the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. With six other Sisters she set about making her vision a reality.
Venerable Angeline Teresa McCrory was born in 1893 in Mountjoy,
In 1926, Mother Angeline was appointed Superior of a Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor in the Bronx, New York France did not meet the needs or customs of America
Being unable to effect any necessary changes in her present situation, Mother Angeline sought advice and counsel from Patrick Cardinal Hayes of New York New York
Eventually, this need was recognized in the United States Rome
In 1931 the new Community became affiliated with the great Order of Carmel and became known as "Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm."
Mother Angeline Teresa’s philosophy of care was to serve each guest as if serving Christ Himself. From this relatively new beginning the work of the Congregation flourished and the Community was invited to work in Pennsylvania , Massachusetts , and as far west as Iowa United States and Ireland
In 1984, Mother Angeline Teresa died, having the consolation of seeing the Congregation beyond her expectations. She once said: If you have to fail, let it be on the side of kindness. Be kinder than kindness itself to the old people.