Obituary of Teresa Marie Sweeney

Born: Agnes Marie Sweeney on December 13, 1930 in Lowell, MA. Died: May 11, 2017 in the Santa Casa Hospital, An�polis, Goias, BR. Daughter of James and Agnes Blanchard Sweeney of Lowell, MA. Sister Teresa was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on August 15, 1949, and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1956. Sister faithfully lived the mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany for more than 65 years. Sister attended elementary school at Sacred Heart School in Lowell and graduated from Lowell High School in 1948. In May of that year, she visited Saint Elizabeth Hospital, in Brighton MA where the Allegany Franciscans ministered and soon after entered the Congregation in August. Sr. Teresa attended St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, NY, graduating in 1962 with a B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Chemistry. Sister ministered in the field of education in Florida and New Jersey; as well as locally at St. Elizabeth Academy; Archbishop Walsh High School; and St Bonaventure University. In 1962, Sister volunteered to serve in Brazil where she continued as an educator in elementary and secondary schools. In 1970, she accepted the position as Administrator at Santa Casa Hospital, An�polis. For eight years, 1976-1984, she served as Regional Minister to the Sisters in Brazil. In 1984 Sister Teresa relocated to Allegany when she was elected General Minister of the Congregation. She served in that position until 1988. Brazil had always been home for Sister Teresa, so she returned to An�polis in 1990 and established many institutions and initiated several programs to assist the most vulnerable in the poorest areas in the State of Goias. Sister Teresa continued this outreach ministry until she retired in October 2016. Sister Teresa is predeceased by her parents; a sister, Katherine Redding; and six brothers, Felix, James, Eugene, Thomas, Francis and Charles. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. Wake, Funeral Liturgy and Burial will take place May 12, 2017 at M�e Admir�vel Convent in An�polis, Goias, BR.