By Drew Butler
dbutler@cherryroad.com

It is a tradition among the Sisters the Mercy to come up with a personal motto to be engraved inside the silver ring they wear as a sign of their service to God.

Sister Carolyn chose the phrase, “love serves joyfully.”

That spirit of joyful service was on display Tuesday afternoon as a large crowd gathered in the lobby of Mercy Hospital for a retirement reception in honor of Sister Carolyn, who has been a Sister of Mercy for 63 years, with the last 25 at the hospital.

Mercy Hospital Ardmore President Daryle Voss fought back his emotions as he welcomed the crowd of caregivers and community members.

“It’s a lot of mixed emotions today,” Voss said. “I am grateful for this community, for you all showing up today to celebrate her. She and I partnered together in 2013. She didn’t know what she was getting. I didn’t know what I was getting, but we started getting it together.”

Voss said that in the time they have worked together, Sister Carolyn has become a close friend to both himself and his entire family.

“This is not a day to be sad,” he said. “It’s a day to celebrate. It’s been my joy and my privilege to work with the Sister Carolyn and all the Sisters of Mercy.”

Sister Debbie Kern spoke next and shared a few highlights of Sister Carolyn’s life and career. Kern said she quickly recognized a pattern.

“While preparing these remarks considering the many moves and changes Sister Carolyn has gone through, I could easily see a pattern,” Kern said. “A pattern of faith and generosity in her life-long response to God’s love.”

Sister Carolyn was born and raised in New Orleans and entered the religious community in 1962 near St. Louis. She made her final vows in 1970.

After earning an undergraduate degree, she taught high school history for six years before returning to graduate school to earn her degree in guidance counseling. She worked in Little Rock, Oklahoma City and Enid as a counselor before coming to Ardmore in 2000.

“I’m so aware of how much Sister Carolyn loves you all and loves Ardmore,” Kern said. “For the last 25 years you all have shared the highs and the lows, the good times and the not-so-good times. Now we’re witnessing the next step in the journey.

“While Sister Carolyn is retiring from her ministry, she’s not really retiring. Sisters of Mercy do not retire.”

Sister Carolyn spoke briefly to tell everyone gathered how much they have all meant to her over the years.

“As I look all around, I have to tell you all how I feel right now,” she said. “It’s overwhelming to see all the people here who have touched my life, and whose lives I may have touched. I don’t think anyone else could have had a retirement party like this. It’s got to break records!”

She called working at Mercy Hospital Ardmore a privilege.

“I got to know so many people, and I want to thank all the people taking care of our patients,” she said. “What a ministry they have chosen, to be in healthcare.”

Sister Carolyn will now be moving back to the St. Louis area to live in Catherine’s Residence, the Sisters of Mercy retirement community named after their founding mother, Catherine McAuley.

She is to be the last of the Sisters of Mercy assigned to the Ardmore hospital.