BELMONT — Mercy Sister Mary Robert Williams passed away peacefully on Dec. 26, 2024, aged 92. A beloved Sister, educator and spiritual leader, Sister Mary Robert dedicated her life to serving others, embodying the values of compassion and kindness throughout her seven decades of ministry.
A viewing will be held from 10:15 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Immediately after Mass, the Sisters will provide lunch, and a graveside service will take place at 1:30 p.m.
Those planning to stay for lunch should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The funeral Mass will also be livestreamed: https://www.facebook.com/groups/871835437805371.
Margaret Catherine Williams was born on Oct. 24, 1932, to Robert Williams of Glen Cove, Long Island, New York, and Bernadette Nixon of Triangle, North Carolina.
Growing up in Charlotte, she attended St. Patrick Catholic School (previously known as O’Donoghue School), where she nurtured her passion for education.
On Aug. 5, 1950, she entered the Sisters of Mercy and began a remarkable career that spanned decades. Her commitment to teaching and leadership saw her serve as a supervisor at Nazareth Orphanage in Raleigh, principal at St. Mary’s School in Wilmington, and later as principal at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School in Charlotte for 13 years. During this time, she also dedicated herself to training the next generation of Sisters as a novice director for the Sisters of Mercy.
After retiring from her formal education career, Sister Mary Robert continued to share her gifts at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Salisbury, where she became a cherished pastoral associate and patient advisor. She was instrumental in starting Rowan Helping Ministries’ homeless shelter, and she also worked with a local women’s shelter and Operation Suitcase, which provides supplies for children in foster care.
Sister Mary Robert provided support and guidance to people in need for 31 years at Sacred Heart Parish, until her retirement in 2014 at the age of 81. An outreach program based out of the parish was later named for her in gratitude for her service.
Upon returning to Belmont, Sister Mary Robert dedicated herself to the community, volunteering at Holy Angels and House of Mercy, where she uplifted and visited children and young women, offering prayer and encouragement to those facing challenges.
Known for her joyful spirit, gentleness and unwavering love for others, Sister Mary Robert was also a talented storyteller who created lasting connections with everyone she encountered. Her presence brought peace and light to all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Sister Mary Robert will be profoundly missed by her family, the Sisters of Mercy, friends, and the countless lives she touched throughout her ministry.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister Mary Robert’s memory may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 101 Mercy Dr., Belmont, N.C. 28012; or a charity of one’s choice, reflecting her lifelong commitment to service and love for others.
McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
Read more about Mercy Sister Mary Robert Williams:
- We stand on the shoulders of great women’: Sisters of Mercy leave legacy of Catholic education, healthcare and social services across our region
- Outreach ministry honors Mercy sister
BELMONT — Mercy Sister Bernadette McNamara peacefully departed this life on Dec. 16, 2024, at the Sisters of Mercy Residence, Marion Center.
A viewing will take place from 10:15 to 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, at Sacred Heart Convent, Cardinal Gibbons Chapel, located at 500 Sacred Heart Circle, Belmont, N.C. 28012. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., and a committal service will follow at Belmont Abbey at 1:30 p.m.
Born Sara Bernadette McNamara on Jan. 24, 1934, in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, she was the beloved daughter of Patrick Joseph McNamara and Elizabeth Kinney.
Entering the Sisters of Mercy on Oct. 3, 1951, Sister Bernadette dedicated her life to education and pastoral care, primarily serving as an educator within the Diocese of Charlotte. Her profound calling to serve extended to pastoral services and family life, leading her to work in Guam and Saipan. Upon her return to the United States, she became the administrator at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mocksville. Her remarkable ministry continued with an appointment as CEO and president at Catherine’s House. Feeling the call to return to parish ministry, she later served as pastoral associate at Queen of the Apostles Parish in Belmont.
Upon retirement, Sister Bernadette volunteered at the Mercy Heritage Center on the Sacred Heart-Sisters of Mercy campus, reflecting her unwavering commitment to service. She was cherished by all who knew her, easily winning the affection of parishioners and colleagues alike. Sister Bernadette had a zest for life; she loved music, cherished her family, and wore her title as a Sister of Mercy with pride. Her infectious Irish smile and jovial jokes brightened the lives of those around her, making every moment spent with her a joy.
Sister Bernadette’s legacy of love, service and joy will forever resonate in the hearts of those whose lives she touched.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catherine’s House or to the Sisters of Mercy at 101 Mercy Dr., Belmont, N.C. 28012.
McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont was in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
CHILDS, Maryland — Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Father John J. (Jack) Kelly died Dec. 3, 2024, aged 80. He was professed with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales for 61 years and a priest for 53 years. A former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in High Point, parishioners remember him as having an exuberant personality who challenged people to embrace Salesian spirituality and “Live Jesus!” in their everyday lives.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 10, 2024, in the Our Lady of Light Chapel of Annecy Hall in Elkton, Maryland. Interment was at the Oblate Cemetery in Elkton.
A memorial Mass will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
Born Jan. 5, 1944, in Philadelphia, he was the son of John Kelly and Catherine (Bratina) Kelly. He grew up in Steelton, Pennsylvania, and attended Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg. In high school, he met the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, who were his teachers and coaches, and joined the Oblates after graduation in 1961. He made his first profession of vows in 1963 and did student teaching at Father Judge High School in Philadelphia in the mid-1960s. He made his perpetual profession as an Oblate in 1966.
In 1968, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Niagara University in Niagara, New York. While in college, he fell in love with the theatre and started to perform in plays at Niagara. After graduating from college, he continued his love of the theatre and received special permission from his superiors to study drama at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. The Oblate provincial at the time, the late Father Dan Gambet, told him that “God had gifted you with much talent” and encouraged him to pursue his passion.
He went on to earn a Master of Arts at CUA while simultaneously completing his studies for the priesthood at De Sales School of Theology in D.C. He was ordained a priest in 1971 and then was assigned to teach English at Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware.
As a young teacher at Salesianum, Father Kelly impacted the entire school community. He taught English but became involved in both the theater and the athletics departments. He directed most of the school plays, starred in some of the Salesianum alumni shows, established and coached the ice hockey club, and frequently announced the football games at Baynard Stadium (now Abessinio Stadium). Though his interests and talents were diverse, theater consumed most of his time. Father Kelly eventually became the head of the school’s Fine Arts Department.
One Salesianum alumnus observed that Father Kelly was a “skilled director with an excellent feeling for the stage” and a worthy successor to Father John Spragg, OSFS – considered a legend of Salesianum theatre. During summer break, Father Kelly broadened his scope and starred as George M. Cohan in a production of “George M.” at the famous Three Little Bakers Dinner Theater in Delaware.
In the early 1980s, Father Kelly sought treatment for an alcohol addiction. He entered a rehabilitation program and was eventually certified as a counselor. He left high school ministry and joined Oblate Brother Dick Gannon in founding the Center for Pastoral Counseling for Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Wilmington. Working with Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Wilmington, these two Oblates offered programs and support for individuals, families and groups affected by alcohol abuse.
In 1991, Father Kelly left Wilmington and returned to the education field as Catholic campus minister at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. At the university level, he drew on his many talents, interests and experiences as he connected with college students, faculty and staff. He continued his counseling work and found time to step on the stage and skate on the ice when he could.
In 1999, Father Kelly began his long association with the Catholic community in North Carolina when he moved to the Tar Heel State to continue college ministry at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. After a year at UNCG, Father Kelly moved to parish ministry, serving first as parochial vicar (three and a half years) and later as pastor (eight years) at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in High Point, where he served until 2010. In 2010, he was transferred to Fayetteville and served as pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. For 12 years, Father Kelly led the parish family in Fayetteville, helping the close-knit community settle into a new church building. He led the parish through a period of continued growth and encouraged parishioners to stay strong and keep connected during the COVID-19 crisis.
Health issues forced Father Kelly to leave St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, yet not wanting to retire completely, he moved to Holy Infant Parish in Durham to live with Father Robert Rutledge, the Oblate pastor. While semi-retired, Father Kelly continued to serve the community by celebrating Mass regularly and supporting Father Rutledge in the sacramental life of the parish.
Even as he slowed down, Father Kelly continued to attend hockey games and theater productions. He was faithful to his annual vacation to London’s West End theatre district and was able to make one final trip last September. When he returned to the U.S, Father Kelly realized he needed more assistance in navigating his health care and medical needs. He came to the Oblate assisted care center (Annecy Hall) in Childs, Maryland, in November, and when his health began to decline quickly, he entered hospice care at Annecy Hall a few days before he died.
Father Kelly was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his sisters Beth Barclay and Kathy Kelly; his brother Bob Kelly; nieces and nephews; and his brother Oblates.
In his final weeks, Father Kelly embodied a quote from Shakespeare’s “Measure by Measure”: “I’ve hope to live but I am prepared to die.” In his vocation as an Oblate and a priest, in the struggles and blessings of daily life, Father Kelly practiced the Salesian virtue of embracing the present moment and lived each day striving to “Live Jesus.”
Condolences may be sent to Jack's sister Beth Barclay at 200 Cyril Lane, Richmond, VA 23229.
Hicks Home for Funerals, P.A., of Elkton was in charge of arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald