An immense void has been left in the Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha) family  and the faith community of the Sisters of Mercy following the passing of Sister Mary Bernadette Little, Religious Sister of Mercy (RSM).   Sister Bernadette Little, made her transition at the   Mary Mount Convent  on Sunday, February 9, 2014.

 

Alpha Academy continues to turn out  bright and promising students under the distinguished  leadership of Mr. Mackran Singh, OD,  present Principal of the institution.  Mr. Singh had this to say about Sister Bernadette: “Sister sought perfection in all things and challenged us to tread on higher ground.   She was a leader who inspired us to be  leaders … a teacher's model teacher, an authentic messenger and visionary Principal.  She led by example, transforming the lives of generations of Alpha daughters who have served and continue to serve this Nation with distinction.  She is, indeed a legend whose remarkable life is forever canonised in our collective memory.”

 

Sister Marie Chin , Area Administrator for the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica, described Sister Bernadette as a woman of grace and resilience.  “ She has really left a hole in our hearts and our lives… we will greatly miss her.” 

The revered past principal who served as an outstanding leader of  Alpha academy for over 30 years, was highly respected as a role model, visionary educator and  mentor for thousands of Alpha graduates.  Sister Bernadette delivered her knowledge in a very special way and was widely respected far beyond the walls of Alpha, but has served in the capacity as Vice President of the Jamaica Council of Churches and President of the Jamaica Catholic Education Association. As the Superior of the Mercy Community in Jamaica, she was also the first sister of Mercy from Jamaica to be a member of the Cincinnati Provincial Council.

 

Her outstanding work in the field of education did not go unnoticed, as she was recognized with a National  Honour, Order of Distinction, Commander Class (CD) in 1977 from the Government of Jamaica. Because of her deep understanding and love of the Catholic Church she also received the Papal Award Pro Pontifice et Ecclesia in 1979.  

Despite her long and challenging period of ill-health, Sister Bernadette was determined to leave with us the inspiring saga of love, service and achievement of Alpha and the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica.  This she did, by completing last year, a 500-page publication entitled ‘You Did It Unto Me’ … The Story of Alpha and the Sisters of Mercy in Jamaica.  As described in the foreword penned by Alumna Jean Lowrie Chin, “this grand oeuvre is masterfully told by one who has lived it and enhanced by her own extraordinary contribution.”

 

Sister Bernadette said she was dedicating the book to the memory of those noble women, Jessie Ripoll, Mother  M. Winifred Furlong, Mother M. Magdalen  Degenhardt, Mother M. Vianney Walker who played an integral role in establishing Alpha and to every Sister of Mercy and all the  Mercy Associates who have served and continue to minister among the people in Jamaica.

 

According to Margaret Little Wilson, President of the Jamaica Chapter of the Alpha Academy Alumnae Association: “We were very fortunate to have had Sister Bernadette in our lives. She was the consummate Alumna who lived by example our motto ‘Ad Verum Et Bonum’ (To the Good and True).

 

To celebrate the life of Sister Mary Bernadette,  members of the local and overseas chapters, friends and family of Alpha Academy will gather for a Service of Remembrance on Friday, February 21, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  at the  Alpha Chapel of Christ the King, 26 South Camp Road.  The Mass of Christian Burial will take place  on Saturday, February 22 at 9:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, North Street, followed by interment at Dovecot.

 Sister Mary Bernadette leaves behind, her faith community of the Sisters of Mercy, siblings Tony, Garth, Carmen, nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends. 

 

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