Sister Marie Verrilli, SNDdeN has dedicated 60 years to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Growing up in Bridgeport, Connecticut, she was born to William and Florence Verrilli. Typical of many Italian families of the day, she lived not only with her parents and brother Bill, but also her mother’s parents, mother’s brother and his daughter.
Sister Marie entered the postulate in 1964, became a novice in 1965 and was given the religious name of Sister Marie St. William, and pronounced her first vows in 1967. Her younger brother, William, also followed a religious path as a diocesan priest in the Diocese of Bridgeport until his death in 2020.
Sister Marie has taught on the high school level and worked in a low-income parish credit union but has spent most of her ministerial life in various administrative roles within the congregation.
Reflecting on her vocation, Sister Marie offers wise advice to those discerning their own path: "Keep an open mind, keep close to God as you work through this process. And don't be afraid to make a mistake. It's a process and a search. And who knows where the search is going to lead you."
Sister Marie's life of service and her openness to God's call exemplify the spirit of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, dedicated to faith and community.
Ministries
1968-1969 Holy Name HS, Chicopee, MA-teacher
1968-1969 University of MA, Amherst, MA-student
1969-1971 Bridgeport, CT-care of parent
1971-1972 CT Province Finance Office, Fairfield, CT-assistant
1972-1973 University of MA, Amherst, MA-student
1973-1976 St. Thomas Aquinas HS, New Britain, CT-teacher
1976-1978 St. Peter’s Credit Union, Hartford, CT-assistant
1978-1979 CT Province Provincial House, Fairfield, CT-provincial councillor
1979-1983 Notre Dame Generalate, Rome, Italy-general treasurer
1983-1989 Emmanuel College, Boston, MA-business office
1989-1990 CT Province Provincial House, Fairfield, CT-transition manager
1990-1998 CT Province Province Center, Windsor, CT-business manager
1999-2006 Brenner, McDonagh and Tortolani, Dobbs Ferry, NY-financial consultant
2006-2009 CT Province Province Center, Windsor, CT-provincial team member
2006-2013 SNDdeN National Office, West Hartford. CT-national team member
2014-2020 SND Base Communities Province, Wilmington, DE-financial manager
2021- present US East-West Province SNDdeN, Windsor, CT-finance office volunteer