Sister Patricia James Sweeney, SSJ, 98, former principal

Sister Patricia James Sweeney, SSJ, 98
principal at St. Peter, and later St. Peter-Marian High Schools


SPRINGFIELD – Sister Patricia James Sweeney,  beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield died in Bethany Health Care Center, Framingham on Sept. 1.
A native of Springfield, she was the daughter of James and Mary (Walsh) Sweeney, born Ellen Sweeny on April 17, 1924.
Sister Patricia James entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Holy Family Parish, Springfield in 1942. Her early education was at Holy Family Elementary School, and she was graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield. Sister earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, a master’s degree from Boston College, and a doctorate from the University of Michigan.
Sister ministered in the Diocese of Springfield as teacher at Sacred Heart, Holyoke; St. Mary's, Northampton; St. Mary's, Westfield; and St. Joseph's, Pittsfield. She was principal at St. Joseph's, North Adams and Cathedral High School, Springfield. She served as teacher and as principal at St. Peter, and later St. Peter-Marian High School in Worcester, in the Diocese of Worcester.
She was very active in the National Catholic Education Association serving as secretary and later as president of the Executive Committee of Secondary School Department. As president of NCEA in 1987 she was chosen to address the late Pope St. John Paul II in New Orleans on behalf of the Catholic secondary school teachers. She also conducted workshops for administrators in the United States and Canada as well as serving as adjunct faculty member at the College of Our Lady of the Elms and University of Dayton in Ohio.
From 1993-2005 she served as administrator/director of congregational services at Mont Marie.
In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by several nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her siblings; Lillian Sweeney Lynch, Katherine Sweeney Tourtelotte, William Sweeney, John Sweeney and Thomas Sweeney.
All services for Sister Patricia James will take place at Blessed Sacrament Church, Northampton Street, Holyoke, on Tuesday, Sept. 6. She will be waked from 9:15 a.m. with a prayer service at 9:45 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield MA 01104. Arrangements entrusted to the Sampson Family Chapels.