I was born into a large, loving Irish-Catholic family and grew up in a small suburb north of New York City. I had two older sisters, a twin brother, and many relatives. Our family first heard of Rosemont College when my twin brother was considering enrolling at Villanova College (now known as Villanova University) in 1946. When I went with my brother and parents to visit Villanova, we also went to see Rosemont College. We all fell in love with everything about it—the beauty of the campus, the architecture of the Main Building, and especially the Dean, Mother Mary Basil!

I had always attended public schools so my four years at Rosemont College brought me into close contact with Sisters for the first time. Throughout those very happy years I was struck by the warmth and caring of the Holy Child Sisters, especially during my mother’s year-long illness leading to her death in the beginning of my senior year. Though I had always wanted my own large family, by the middle of my senior year, I was aware of the Lord drawing me toward life as a Holy Child Sister and the intangible Holy Child spirit. It is a decision I have never regretted; I can’t imagine any other life for me.

Leading Children by Love
Even though I never had the large family of my own that I had dreamed of having, I have been blessed by being involved with hundreds of children, both as a teacher and administrator. Cornelia’s educational philosophy and spirit have always been the cornerstone of my attitude toward the children entrusted to my care. I have tried to live out her saying, “…lead the children by love rather than fear.” Cornelia’s admonition that we should be “spiritual mothers” to the children has always resonated with me. Years ago, I found a saying on a Christmas card that seemed to capture our incarnational spirituality, the mystery of Christ among us – “Our lives must be a sign that God continues to gently bless His children.” Every morning I say that prayer as I have walked into a classroom or now into the library, asking the Lord to let me be a sign of that love to all with whom I come in contact.

At the start of my time as a Sister of the Holy Child, both as a Postulant and Novice, I began teaching at Rosemont Junior School in Rosemont, Pa. Having earned my Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Loyola University in Los Angeles, Calif., I became principal of Mayfield Junior School in Pasadena, Calif. This was followed by six years as assistant principal in Holy Child Academy in Portland, Ore.; then six years at St. Elizabeth’s School in New York City. I was also blessed to have a marvelous year as an exchange teacher at the Holy Child School in Birmingham, England. (Several years ago I had the privilege of returning to England as a volunteer, working with Habitat for Humanity, helping to build three houses in one of the poorest areas of London—an awesome experience!)

After my time in England, there followed seventeen very happy years at Our Lady of Humility in Zion, Ill., the last twelve years there as principal. From there I moved to the east for a sabbatical program at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Mass. Since that time, for the last eleven years, I have been a librarian, now as a volunteer, at St. Peter School in Cambridge. As a Holy Child Sister, I have spent almost 58 years in education.

I have many outside interests, among them art, music, and sports; I still play a little tennis, golf, and downhill skiing. Keeping up with former students and parents is one of my delights. Though I don’t know how many more years I will still be involved in an educational environment, I consider myself very blessed to have been able to be an instrument of the Lord in so many lives over the years.

Click here to contact Sr. Jane Roach (M. M. Concepta)

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