Sister Marie-Rose (Rose Pauline) Charpentier

“Pray that the Holy Spirit may guide and direct me in all my actions, that all may be done for the greater glory of God.” – St. Julie

I was the oldest of three children and learned to be responsible at an early age. When we were young our mother has serious health issues. We came close to be taken to an orphanage, but thankfully an aunt and uncle stepped and we went to live with them for a time.

When I was in high school at St. Theresa’s in Providence, I met Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur for the first time and it was Sister Thomas Julie’s kindness and joyfulness that attracted me to Notre Dame.

My first mission was to teach first grade at Sacred Heart School in Springfield, Mass., and I was worried. I was told to teach phonics and I knew nothing about phonics! So I observed a wonderful, elderly Sister, who was a great teacher, and returned to my classroom and imitated her.

My ministries in West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky meant a great deal to me. There in Appalachia I had the privilege of working with the very poor. I saw the reflection of God in individuals who were unchurched but so very close to God.

At this time of Jubilee (2020) I am most grateful to God for my vocation and for the love and support of my Sisters. I so appreciate the varied ministries I’ve had and the opportunity to meet and work with people of different cultures.

Ministries

Educator

Sacred Heart School, Springfield, Mass.
Holy Cross School, Springfield, Mass.
Sr. Rita School, Hamden, Conn.
St. Aedan School, New Haven, Conn.
St. Teresa School, Providence, R.I.
St. Martin de Porres School, New Haven, Conn
St. Gabriel School, Milford, Conn.
Little Birch School, Sutton, W.V.
St. Aedan School, New Haven, Conn.
St. Vincent Child Care Center, Naugatuck, Conn.

Pastoral Minister

St. Elizabeth Parish, Kentucky – Pastoral Assistant/Outreach Worker

Healthcare

Mt. St. Rita Health Care Center, Cumberland, R.I. – Nursing Assistant and Medication Technician
Home Instead Senior Care, East Greenwich, R.I. – Senior Care
Julie House, Windsor, Conn. – Attendant
HomeFront, Centredale, R.I. – Nursing Assistant