Sr. Bernadette Sassone Celebrates 60th Jubilee as a Daughter of Wisdom

Sr. Bernadette Sassone (Sr. Francis Elizabeth of Mary) is celebrating her 60th Jubilee this year. Born on August 6, 1942, in Flushing, New York, to her parents, Frank and Elizabeth, her Parish at Entrance was St. Andrew Avellino in Flushing, New York. Sr. Bernadette made her First Profession of Vows on February 2, 1963.

Sr. Bernadette attended St. Agnes Academic in College Point, New York, from 1956 to 1960 and went on to attend St. John’s University in Jamaica, New York, from 1960 to 1961. She entered the Novitiate on August 1, 1961, and studied Religious Education at Seat of Wisdom College in Litchfield, Connecticut, from 1961 to 1964. Sr. Bernadette then studied at St. John’s University from 1964 to 1970, earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Education with Certification to Teach Nursery through Sixth Grade and Special Education. She furthered her studies at St. John’s University in Biblical Theology from 1992 to 1994.

Sr. Bernadette has been blessed to be in ministry over the years with many wonderful people of many different cultures and backgrounds, including teaching English as a Second Language to immigrant women on Long Island, New York, teaching Haitian refugees in Brooklyn, NY, and serving as a Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education in Brooklyn, NY.

“It’s been a grace to be with so many wonderful persons – Sisters and so many people of various cultures – all loved by God,” Sr. Bernadette said recently, reflecting on the blessings of being a member of the Daughters of Wisdom for the past 60 years.

Sr. Bernadette began teaching ministry at St. Mary Gate of Heaven School in Ozone Park, New York, from 1964 to 1970. Next, she served as a Teacher at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Waterbury, Connecticut, from 1970 to 1973. She then worked as a Teacher at Maryhaven Center of Hope School in Port Jefferson, New York, from 1974 to 1980, serving children with special needs. From 1980 to 1986, she served as a Teacher at BHRAGS Haitian Center in Brooklyn, New York. She served as Director of Religious Education at Queen of All Saints Church in Brooklyn, New York, from 1986 to 1992. She then served as a Pastoral Associate and was the Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York. While in Brownsville, she also served on the Diocesan Vocation Committee and was a Teacher in the Diocesan Catechetical Program. During this time, she lived with the Formation Community in Broad Channel, NY.

After relocating to Huntington Station, NY, Sr. Bernadette began serving as an English as a Second Language Teacher in the Opening Word Program, a sponsored ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Amityville. Since 2015, Sr. Bernadette has helped immigrant women at the Opening Word’s location in Huntington Station learn English to have better opportunities for themselves and their children. Sr. Bernadette helped to establish an evening ESL program for the men of the community, which is known as the Sophia Language Center. Sister is a Catechist for her home parish, St. Hugh Parish, in Huntington Station, New York. In addition, she has volunteered on the RCIA Advisory Committee for the Brooklyn Diocese and on the Sisters Senate in Brooklyn, NY.

We joyfully pray for many continued blessings on Sr. Bernadette as we celebrate her 60th Jubilee Year as a member of the Daughters of Wisdom.