Sister Christine Carrigg dies at 83

Sister Christine Carrigg was born July 15, 1942, in Kingston, Pa. She was the third child of Frank J. Carrigg and Celestine McManaman Carrigg. Baptized as Ann, she was the middle child among four siblings, with two brothers and two sisters.

In the 1950’s, the family moved to the Washington, D.C. area, and in 1958, she enrolled at Regina High School in Hyattsville, Md., where she met the Religious of Jesus and Mary. After entering the community in 1962, she took the name Sister Christine.

Elementary education was the primary focus of her ministry, and over the years she earned a bachelor’s degree in this field from Providence College in Rhode Island, and a master’s in educational administration from the University of San Francisco.

After beginning her teaching in New England, she moved to Los Angeles, Calif. in 1971, spending 13 years at Guardian Angels Parish School as a teacher, and beginning in 1976, as school principal. Her love for the people of this San Fernando Valley parish and her joy in serving them was evident, and the friendships made there remained strong throughout her life.

More education ministry followed in San Diego, Calif. in Thevenet Montessori School in Highland Mills, N.Y., and the Bronx schools of St. John’s and St. Raymond’s. She relished her sabbatical time in San Antonio, Texas, and the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif. As her energies for full-time ministry waned, she continued to work with children: tutoring, supervising aftercare and helping in the library.

In addition to her work in education, she served in local community leadership in both California and New York. She participated in the gatherings of the RJM Lay Associates in New York and supported the flea market they held regularly to help fund the mission in Haiti, faithfully sending a check to the Haiti Fund after every market.

One phrase that aptly describes her would be “a people person.” For years, when her religious community would gather for meetings, she would announce “I’ll take care of the socials.”

She relished receiving and sharing news about her dearly loved family members, sisters and friends. When her community gathered to watch television, she was often indifferent to what was being shown, simply saying “I just want to be together with them.”

If there was a devotion that marked her, it was her love for the Mass. As she grew more frail and unable to get out easily, she would faithfully follow the Mass on television. If you were arranging a time for a phone conversation, she would let you know when she wasn’t available by saying “Mass will be on.”

How consoling then, to know that she died as the Eucharistic celebration for the day was being broadcast into her room. Did she hear the words of the Eucharistic Prayer, “Remember…all who have died in your mercy: welcome them into the light of your face?” – And then, did she find herself at last together with the One she had followed so faithfully, and all those she had loved and who had come to the light before her? Rest in peace, Sister Christine.

Cremation took place at Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope, N.Y.

Memorial contributions may be made to either Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, mskcc.org/, or the Religious of Jesus and Mary Haiti Mission, rjmusa.org/donate/.