Sister of Mercy honored at Re-dedication of Sister Rose House
March 02, 2016
By Catherine Walsh, Communications Specialist
Sister Rosellen Gallogly, known as the “Mother Teresa of New Bedford” (Massachusetts), for her decades of work with people who are homeless, joined other Sisters of Mercy, the bishop, city officials, Catholic Social Services representatives and supporters for a re-dedication of the newly renovated Sister Rose House on February 9.
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Sister of Mercy Rose Gallogly |
Sister Rose opened New Bedford’s first 24-hour shelter in a snowstorm in 1983, when she was executive director of Market Ministries, now part of Catholic Social Services. The city where she ministered had once been a prosperous whaling capital, but had fallen on hard times and many people were in need.
The new 25-bed shelter, which offers a range of supportive services to help clients gain long-term stability and address issues that led to their homelessness, is located in the former Saint Hedwig’s Church at 73 Division Street; it is expected to open in mid-March.
Bishop Edgar da Cunha of the Fall River diocese blessed the new facility and everyone present enjoyed a celebratory luncheon. Local media coverage of the event can be found here.
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Bishop Edgar da Cunha blesses the new Sister Rose House |
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Sister Rose (front row center) with her extended family and friends. Photos by Beth Watson |