Feb. 20, 2009 – Phyllis Convery was born on July 25, 1927, in Butler, Penn. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis on July 7, 1945 and made her perpetual profession on Aug. 17, 1950. She was given the religious name of Sr. Mary Germaine Convery, O.S.F.
Sr. Germaine taught elementary school in Pennsylvania from 1949 until 1960 when she was transferred to a high school in San Antonio, Puerto Rico. She returned to Pennsylvania in 1965 and worked in different ministries and transferred back to Puerto Rico in 1974. In 1979, she began a sabbatical that took her to Fordham University, New York. During her studies, she met Dr. Felicidad Endriga, a physician working in the Virgin Islands, and was told about St. Ann's Church, Barrenspot, St. Croix. The pastor, Fr. Michael Kosak, invited Sr. Germaine to visit the parish and, as the saying goes, the rest is history.
Sr. Germaine received permission from her religious superiors to work at St. Ann Church. She was joined by Sr. Renita and Sr. Barbara and they formed a community residing first on Farm Hill Road in Christinatsed, then Estate St. George, and finally in Upper Love. During her 16 years, she served the parish as director of religious education and served the diocese as one of the directors of the Permanent Diaconate Program. She also began the Secular Franciscans, which continues to flourish today on St. Croix and St. Thomas. During the month of October 1984, with Sr. Patricia Alexander, she co-founded a local community called the West Indian Franciscans. Bishop Edward Harper C.Ss.R. with his co-adjutor Bishop Sean O'Maley OFM Cap. granted it canonical status as a diocesan association. It celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
Sr. Germaine returned to the States in 1996 and served in different ministries until 2004 when she returned to Puerto Rico and made monthly visits to her beloved community in St. Croix. Finally, she made one of the most difficult decisions of her life. After a period of prayer and discernment, she petitioned the Holy See in the Vatican and asked for permission to leave her Franciscan community of 60 years and become a member of the association, which she had founded, the West Indian Franciscans.
On Feb. 12, 2006, at St. Ann Church, Msgr. Michael Kosak, vicar general and pastor, received the renewal of her vows on behalf of the Ordinary, Bishop George Murry S.J. and the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.
During the past three years, she has served as spiritual director of the Light of Christ Retreat Center and has also assisted the Deacon Association. A sudden illness overtook her in December 2008, and she died in the Lord on Feb. 15, 2009.
In her Last Will and Testament, she wrote some final words to her sisters and members of the secular Franciscans who will attend her funeral: "I'll be smiling on you from the glorious place of the Lord."
Keep smiling, Sr. Germaine; we will always remember you as we visit your permanent resting place each day entering and leaving the church you loved so deeply and served so faithfully. Rest In Peace.
A funeral service will take place on Thursday, Feb. 26, at the St. Ann's Catholic Church with viewing at 9 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Ann's Catholic Church grounds.
