Dear Parishioners,

It is with deep gratitude that I would like to express sincere thanks to the people of Saint Michael Parish for their generous contributions to the Dominicans. I would like to explain why I say this. Over the years, Saint Michael has given more women to the Order than any other parish in the entire United States. This is also true of the Dominican Fathers.

Your strong faith, your faithfulness to the parish and your example given to your children have encouraged these numerous vocations. The presence of the Sisters since 1889 re-enforced this faith in your children. The Dominican Fathers were also a great influence on the parishioners. For a period of over thirty years they preached a three-week mission every year in the parish. This fact was most noticeable in the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s when people often referred to Methuen Street as “Dominican Alley” because of the many vocations from that street.

I was born and brought up in Saint Michael Parish with my seven brothers and sisters: Charles, Alice (Dolan, Murphy), Rita (Sr. Rose Frances, O.P.), myself, (Sr. Charles Francis, O.P.), Theresa, Francis, Frederick and Rosemary, my last living sibling who is still an active member of the parish.

We attended Saint Michael School, received the sacraments at the church and were active participants in all the events of the parish.

My identical twin and I entered St. Catharine Novitiate. The last twenty-seven years of our active ministry were spent at Saint Michael. Sr. Rose Frances taught for one year, was principal for eighteen years and was a Pastoral Associate for eight years. I, (Sr. Charles Francis), taught for four years and was the Pastoral Associate for twenty-three years. This included the religious education for the public school children of the parish, teacher training and programs, visiting the sick at home and in the hospital and programs for the elderly.

In 1998 when Sr. Rose Frances and I left for retirement we were the last Sisters to minister in the parish. Of all the Sisters who came from Saint Michael Parish, the following are still living: Sr. Charles Francis McOsker, O.P., at the Motherhouse in St. Catharine, KY., Sr. Maureen Flanagan, O.P., at Rosary Manor in Watertown, MA., and Sr. Bernadette Deeney, O.P., at Rosary Manor in Watertown, MA. Dominican priests from the parish who are still living are: Fr. James Murray, O.P., at St. Rose Parish in Springfield, KY, and Fr. Charles O’Brien, O.P. who is at St. Dominic’s Priory in S.W. Washington, D.C.

Blessings in Christ,
Sr. Charles Francis