Mary Theresa Coffey

Born in Boston on July 6, 1936, Sister Mary Coffey, SNDdeN is the oldest of seven children born to Irish immigrants from County Kerry and County Galway. Her parents’ affection for gardening introduced her to gentle care of the earth. Music and lyrical stories of their native land shaped her identity. During the 12 years at Our Lady of the Presentation School in Brighton, stories about Julie Billiart’s life fascinated her. Today Sister Mary believes that Julie and her first-grade teacher underpinned the decision to enter Notre Dame on August 15, 1955.    

Julie’s stories were passed on to her intermediate and junior high students during the sixteen years that she taught in parish schools. Influenced by the Vatican II documents, the writings of Cardinal Suenens and the freedom to discern a new direction, Sister Mary became a hospital chaplain. After a residency year at the University of Virginia Medical Center, she studied at Boston University School of Theology. Then she moved into adult education, teaching pastoral education courses in Massachusetts and Texas. Her ministry expanded when she worked with inmates at the Maine Correctional Center, as chaplain, pastoral counselor and department director. Along the way, she practiced body spirituality, Reiki healing and reflective writing.     

As Sister Mary celebrates her 70th anniversary, her heart is filled with gratitude for family, friends, colleagues and mentors who have nourished her as well as God’s abiding goodness. 

Ministries list:  

1958-1959 Blessed Sacrament School, Cambridge  

1959-1966 St. Charles, Woburn  

1966-1967 Star of the Sea, Marblehead  

1967-1974 St. Augustine’s, South Boston  

1974-1975 Resident Chaplain, University of Virginia Medical Center  

1975-1978 Boston University theology degree 

1978-1979 Pastoral Ministry, Sacred Heart Parish, Milford, MA  

1979-1989 Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care, Maine Correctional Center, Windham, ME  

1989-1993 Pastoral Counselor, Portland, ME  

1993-2000 Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor, Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, and Saints Medical Center, Lowell, MA

2001-2006 Spiritual Care Director at Life Care Center, Billerica, MA and Healing Touch Practitioner with oncology patients at Saints Medical Center 

2006-present Reiki Practitioner, Bio-Spiritual Focuser and Reflective Writer 

Updated in 2025