Sisters of St. Louis Community, United States/Brasíl

09/05/2026

Sr. Patricia McGahan, SSL​​​​​​​​ ~ 1933-2026

Please join us in praying for the repose of the soul of Sr. Patricia McGahan. She passed away peacefully on Friday, August 28th, at 4:20 am. On St. Louis Day she suffered a stroke. In the hospital the doctors discovered a severe blood infection, and despite their efforts Sr. Patricia did not respond.

Sr. Patricia had a long, active life. Mary Katherine Patricia McGahan was born on September 22, 1933 to Thomas and Brigid in Dublin. Patricia's mother passed away when she was eleven, and her father when she was fourteen, so she was cared for by her cousin, Lila McArdle and claimed Solmas, Louth, Dundalk as home. She received her education in St. Louis, Monaghan, where she entered the Sisters of St. Louis on September 8, 1952. In 1955, after profession of first vows, Sr. Patricia was missioned to California. She taught middle grades for four years at Our Lady of Refuge, Long Beach, then was transferred to St. Mel's, Woodland Hills, where she spent ten years teaching junior high and serving as principal.

In 1970 Sr. Patricia was transferred to St. Louis of France, La Puente, where she served as principal for four years. She always spoke tenderly of her time there and of the gentle and loving people in that neighborhood. Sr. Patricia's time in La Puente was cut short because of the illness of her only sister, Brigid, aka Sr. Mary Bernard, a Sister of Mercy in Ireland.

Patricia went back to Monaghan in 1974 and spent a year doing some teaching where she had been in school, while spending much quality time with her sister who passed away in 1975. Later that year she returned to St. Mel's as principal for seven years, then was granted a sabbatical year in spirituality at the Franciscan Study Centre in Canterbury, England. That was a wonderful, enriching experience, which led her to pursue her Master of Science in Education of the Learning Disabled Student. In 1986 she obtained the California Specialist Credential for the Learning Disabled Student under the supervision of the internationally renowned Dr. Marianne Frostig. Sr. Patricia's natural gift for perception was enhanced by these studies and helped her become such a beloved teacher and principal. Her focus was on education of the total child - academic, social, emotional, physical and spiritual.

In 1984 Sr. Patricia was transferred to Corpus Christi, Pacific Palisades, where she served as teacher and principal until 2013, except for a year back in Ireland from 2006 to 2007. She attempted to retire in 2006 but was drawn back into the school when she got back from Ireland. Through her work in Corpus Christi School, Sr. Patricia was instrumental in growing the St. Louis League, a major fundraising group for the retirement of the Sisters of St. Louis. Her sincerity, initiative, dedication and true love for the people drew out the best in the many people who volunteered to help her.

Once again in 2013 Sr. Patricia retired - but for someone with her energy that didn't mean putting her feet up! She set about organizing the Ministry to the Sick and Homebound of the parish and served in that ministry for another eight years. That led into Covid time. In 2021 after a fall Sr. Patricia moved to Louisville Convent in Woodland Hills for assisted care, then two years later she moved to Nazareth House. In 2025 Nazareth House noted her declining memory, which led to Sr. Patricia moving to Claremont Manor Summer House (memory care) in spring, 2025. Sr. Patricia was loved and appreciated at Summer House. The day before her stroke as one of the nurses was caring for her, she said she would be crossing over the rainbow soon and talk to her father about how well the nurse cared for her.

Sr. Patricia would have turned 93 years old on September 22nd, and a day didn't go by without her telling someone how beautiful they were, how grateful she was to be with them, and what a wonderful family they had. She was generous to a fault, insisting that everyone had their food or snacks before she would take hers. One of the night nurses said, "I'm going to miss her calling to me and saying, 'Good night, my love!'" On Friday morning at 4:30 am the gate alarms began going off at Summer House for no reason, and the nurses couldn't get them to stop. Was Patricia passing through to say her last goodbye?

We know she has been welcomed in heaven with open arms by her parents and her sister, and it was beautiful to see how some of her dear friends came to send her on her journey. Thank you for your care and love! Preliminary arrangements for her final send-off are as follows:

Funeral Mass: ​ St. Mel's Church, Woodland Hills
​​September 16, 2026, at 11:00 am
​​followed by a reception in the parish hall
Celebrant: ​Msgr. Liam Kidney

If you are unable to attend the Mass, it can be viewed at http://www.bit.ly/stmelmass

08/26/2026

https://www.facebook.com/SistersofStLouis/posts/pfbid02hPHjV27Y7j9pBD9bCFr6XDJb7bZC2UgXrK47SvbBANA51sb9hskdRVBMhNSLRxJBl

Today, August 25, is St Louis Day, a day in which the Sisters of St Louis remember their founders, but also celebrate what it means to be a Sister of St Louis. On the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Sisters of St Louis in 1992, Sr Máirín Barrett RIP published a book called “Words to Live By”. In it, she outlined eight Key Words, which explains the essence of what the Sisters of St Louis are about. These are: Sint Unum, Truth, Family, Love, Providence, Childlikeness, Simplicity, and Give Freely, and can be traced right back to the early days of the Sisters of St Louis. For a brief history of the Sisters of St Louis, and to learn more about the founders of the Sisters of St Louis, check out the History section of the Sisters of St Louis website.
👉👉👉https://stlouissisters.org/about-us/our-history/

07/31/2026

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We are delighted to publish Issue 164 of our monthly newsletter, Musings. In this issue we share stories on: the tributes to Anne McCourt SSL, Nuala Ryan SSL and Margaret Fitzer SSL. May they rest in peace; MaryJo Abba SSL’s graduation with a master’s degree in Mental Health Nursing; three sisters march in Lagos, Nigeria, against child labour, child trafficking, abuse and exploitation; the fourth in a series of translations by Dorothy Abuah SSL of Louis Bautain’s book, Philosophie du Christianisme, published in 1835; one sisters attendance at the 32nd National Congress for Palliative Care, in Lyon, France, attending in her role as a volunteer hospital chaplain; news from the Louis Bautain Formation House in Ghana; and the usual updates from the St Louis School’s Forum, WaZoBia; Out and About,; and much more……
👉👉👉https://bit.ly/4fpNV4c

07/26/2026

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07/19/2026

Sister Margaret Fitzer, SSL ~ 1948 – 2026

Sr. Margaret Fitzer was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Elizabeth and Rodney Fitzer on July 30, 1948. She was the oldest child of three children. Her parents and brothers, Richard and Donald predeceased her.

Margaret grew up in a family where expectations were high and where hard work was an indication of the care and love a person expended to make life better for others. She exemplified these traits in all that she did throughout a rich and varied life of service to others. After her graduation from Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, California in 1966, she entered religious life with the Sisters of St. Louis and after completing her BA degree, she taught in Nativity Elementary School, El Monte and St. Anthony Claret Elementary School, Anaheim from 1969 – 1972.

Recognizing her gifts, Margaret was asked to pursue a master’s degree at the Institute of Formative Spirituality in Duquesne University, Pittsburgh where in her own words she began her journey of “self-exploration and spiritual growth.” The program taught her “to look deeply, to listen attentively, to be suspicious of her good intentions, and to trust in God”. Upon the completion of her studies, she spent the next eight years as Formation Director of young ​women entering religious life with the Sisters of St. Louis. Her ministry gave her the opportunity to listen to others’ questions, struggles, and concerns and to help them hear what God was telling them.
Following a year of rest and renewal at Weston School of Theology in Boston, Margaret spent a year as Director of Adult Spirituality in Our Lady of Grace Parish, Encino before embarking on a new phase of her life as Executive Director of the Religious Formation Conference in the United States from 1990- 1995. This ministry brought her in touch with religious throughout the country as she organized conferences and workshops to help prepare young women and men as future ministers in the Church.

Ever living up to her own high expectations, Margaret turned her attention to other needs in our evolving society and after studying and receiving a master’s in social work at USC, she became a counselor at St. Mel Elementary School, Woodland Hills and later at Louisville High School, Woodland Hills and Nativity School, El Monte. She also served on the Sisters of St. Louis Leadership Team and as a Consultant in the Office of Assistance Ministry in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles until she retired in 2019.

In a life filled with incredible ministry to God’s people, one would wonder if Margaret had any time for herself but even then, she was an avid reader, enjoyed walking and attending live theater as well as dabbling in watercolor painting.
Unfortunately, signs of early dementia had become evident during the last few years that Margaret was working and in 2021 she moved to St. John of God Memory Care, Los Angeles where she received loving care until it closed in 2024. Her last two years of journeying with Alzheimer’s were spent in Claremont Manor’s Memory Care, Claremont.

Margaret died on July 8, 2026, and will be missed by her religious community, the Sisters of St. Louis, her nephews, Jason and Jeff, her many friends, and by all whose lives she touched. May she rest in eternal peace and be reunited with her parents, and brothers.

The Sisters of St. Louis are deeply grateful to the staffs of St. John of God’s Memory Care and Claremont Manor’s Memory Care for their compassionate care of Margaret during her last years. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Bernardine of Siena Church, Woodland Hills on Thursday, July 30 at 11:30 a.m. followed by a reception of light refreshments in the Parish Hall. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City on Friday, July 31 at 11:00 a.m.

07/11/2026

Sister Nuala Ryan, SSL ~ 1933– 2026

Born in Monaghan, Ireland on March 14, 1933, to Mary and Thomas Ryan, Nuala was the youngest of five children, her sister, Maura and brothers, Jack, Pat, and Tom who all predeceased her.

Having been educated by the Sisters of St. Louis in St. Louis Secondary School, Monaghan, Nuala entered religious life in 1951. She taught music in her Alma Mater in Monaghan and then in St. Louis Secondary School in Dundalk, from 1954 – 1958, specializing in teaching the cello. She was a very gifted music teacher and with the gift of perfect pitch, she could detect the slightest deviation of a music note in a full orchestra or choral performance. In 1958, Nuala answered the call to move to S. California to teach music, first at St. Joseph Elementary School, Long Beach, then in Mater Dei High School, Santa Ana and Louisville High School in Woodland Hills. She was a skilled director of choral music, and this became her passion. Demanding perfection was her hallmark and the choirs she directed reflected that in their performances. Former students in both high schools credit her with fostering a lifelong love of music and steering them toward musical careers.

By 1980, Nuala needed to take some time to reassess her life and its personal demands. She embarked on a journey of healing which eventually brought her to Long Beach State University’s Music Therapy Program. She completed a six-month internship at Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa and was licensed as a Registered Music Therapist. In 1985, she was hired as a music therapist in Lanterman Developmental Center in Pomona where she found her true calling. Working with clients with severe disabilities freed Nuala to be the best that she could be. She could be a child again, delighting in their innocence and the pure freedom of being themselves. It brought joy to Nuala and she in turn radiated that joy in her ministry with them. Attending Sunday Mass at Lanterman was an experience to be treasured with Nuala’s clients exuberantly following her lead to the best of their ability. With instruments and joyful song, she and they rhythmically praised God in a way that one rarely sees at our liturgical celebrations. In 1999, Nuala became the first Catholic woman Chaplain at Lanterman and continued in that position along with her music therapy until she retired in 2008.
However, Nuala was far from retirement as we know it. She set out for Ghana, fulfilling her desire to connect with our Sisters in West Africa and then in 2008, she traveled to the island of Antigua to volunteer at a Retreat Center run by Sr. Mary Jo McKeefry, SSL from the English Region. Five years later in 2013, Nuala was on her way to spend time visiting our Sisters in Nigeria and the Benin Republic. When she finally retired, she continued to have an impact on the lives of old and new friends in Holy Name of Mary Parish, San Dimas, Louisville Convent, Woodland Hills and eventually, in The Village, a Retirement Center in Northridge, California.

Nuala lived life to the full until ill health necessitated her move in March 2025 to Mary Health of the Sick Skilled Nursing Facility in Newbury Park. She died peacefully on June 24, 2026, in the presence of some Sisters of St. Louis and Sisters Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick. She will be deeply missed by her religious community, the Sisters of St. Louis, her loving family in Canada, England, and Ireland, her many friends, and all those whose lives she touched during her 93 years.

The Sisters of St. Louis are deeply grateful to the staff of Mary Health of the Sick for their compassionate care of Nuala who spent the last year and a half of her life in their nursing facility in Newbury Park, California. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Name of Mary Church, 724 E. Bonita Avenue, San Dimas on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery on Thursday, August 6 at 11:00 a.m

07/04/2026

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We are delighted to publish Issue 163 of our monthly newsletter, Musings. In this issue we share stories on: the tribute to Frances O’Loughlin SSL. May she rest in peace; farewell to Margaret Hosty SSL, who returns to Ireland after 41 years of dedication, love for others, and service to the poorest and most vulnerable in Brazil; the third in a series of translations by Dorothy Abuah SSL of Louis Bautain’s book, Philosophie du Christianisme, published in 1835; a snapshot of the convents in Kiltimagh and Balla in 1926; The follow up on graduates at the St Louis Fashion Centre in Accra, Ghana; the pausing of pastoral activities during the summer months in France; the attendance by one sister at the AGM of the Spiritual Directors in Europe; One sisters participation in the Georgetown University’s Women Faith Leaders Fellowship Programme; Temporary Professed Sisters of Ghana weekend; the usual updates from the St Louis School’s Forum, Out and About, What’s Up; and much more……
👉👉👉 https://bit.ly/4xTBk0g

07/04/2026

God Bless America!

06/01/2026

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Congratulations to Margaret Hosty SSL, who was recently awarded (by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goiás, Brazil) the the title of Citizen of Goiás, for her 30 years of service to people living with HIV/AIDS. The AAVE Group, which she co-founded in 1994, was also awarded a Certificate of Merit, along with 37 AAVE service users, who were also honored with certificates of participation in their activities at AAVE.

05/28/2026

https://www.facebook.com/SistersofStLouis/posts/pfbid0KPmwGmd3tW9eiL1cAZEHx8TLEXwuH7mCYnAGGoUYd2zFnWKqr6uP7uzNZyWCFu45l

We are delighted to publish Issue 162 of our monthly newsletter, Musings. In this issue we share stories on: the tribute to Micheál Hughes SSL. May she rest in peace; the second in a series of translations by Dorothy Abuah SSL of Louis Bautain’s book, Philosophie du Christianisme, published in 1835; the awarding of the title of “Citizen of Goiás”, in Brazil, to Margaret Hosty SSL, for her 30 years of service to people living with HIV/AIDS; the election of a new leadership team in Ghana; a snapshopt of the Motherhouse in Monaghan in 1926; the welcome of two young women into the postulancy at the Thérèse Brek Community of the Sisters of St Louis in Pramso, Ghana; the safeguarding training of two sisters in Ghana; reflections on prision visits in the Paris region, France; an update from the Sisters of St Louis Community Based Rehabilitation (SSL CBR) Programme in Akure, Nigeria; a trip down memory lane for one sister who ministered at St Louis Primary School, Rathmines, Ireland; the usual updates from the St Louis School’s Forum, Out and About, WaZoBia; and much more……

👉👉👉 https://bit.ly/4e84K2J