BY HILLARY VIDERS
SPECIAL TO NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
TENAFLY, N.J. —— In mid-March, the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of Tenafly will close their religious gift shop that has been a staple for decades.
The not-for-profit shop was opened and run for 50 years by Sister Mary Trinity Kenny, a three-time cancer survivor, who died last April. Even though she had only two fingers on her right hand, Sister Trinity started out sewing priests’ vestments, statue gowns and many other works of craft. Her determination and dedication inspired everyone around her.
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The Franciscan Sisters gift shop has been a hallmark of the convent. The missionaries and over 50 volunteers who worked at the shop were led by Sister Trinity, described as a strict disciplinarian with staff when it came to operating the business, but warm and gracious with customers. Her presence was so central to the gift shop that all the missionaries feel a tremendous void by her passing.
When Sister Trinity passed away, the Missionary Franciscan Sisters continued to volunteer at the store, but they decided in January that it was too difficult to continue without her. In mid-March, the shop will be gone, leaving behind many fond memories. The shop has a large variety of merchandise, including religious items as well as Irish crystal and china that will be on sale for 50-80 percent off.
The gift shop is adjacent to the Our Lady of the Angels Convent in Tenafly, where 35 nuns currently live and work. The convent was established 1873 and it is currently a retirement home and infirmary under the direction of Mother Pat Coyle.
The sisters, who range in age from 70 to 104, are mostly retired from teaching or doing social work in communities in Bergen County and throughout the world. Although retired, they remain very active in outreach activities. They collect money and write letters to senators for assistance for people in need. They also continue some of the convent’s community programs that were begun by Sister Trinity.
The convent has Mass every day except Saturday that is conducted by the priests of St. John’s Church in Bergenfield, and the services are open to the public. One week a year, the priests from the Society of African Missions say the daily Mass. On Fridays, hundreds of people come to the convent and join the congregation to walk the 14 steps with Jesus, a time-honored tradition.
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A legacy of hard work and caring
The late Sister Trinity was a remarkable woman whose legacy is one of great love and charity. She was a member of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and lived at Our Lady of the Angels Convent since 1957. She was born in Hillswood, Kilconnell, County Galway, Ireland and entered the convent in 1947 in Bloomfield, Ireland.
In 1955, Sister Trinity came to the United States and worked on a community publication called The Annals of Our Lady. In 1957, she began her life-long ministry of the St. Francis Gift Shop located in Tenafly.
Sister Trinity reached out to many in the community of Tenafly and beyond, especially through the Bergen Irish Association. Besides running the gift shop, Sister Trinity organized and led many charitable activities to raise money for food pantries in the area such as the Lenten Soup Suppers and the Walk for the Hungry. She also organized concerts and other events to raise money for devastated countries like Haiti after natural disasters, for the Covenant House for runaway teens and for the Missionary Franciscan Infirmary in Tenafly.
As a young sister, Sister Trinity had three fingers removed from her left hand due to cancer. This never stopped her from all of the crafts, sewing, baking and retail work she accomplished in great style. Her Irish scones were so popular that she began selling them in the gift shop.
She was awarded many honors because of the good works she performed for the poor and her inspiration to many.
Sister Trinity’s death on April 8, 2017, at age 91, saddened thousands of people. Her determination to help others in need despite her physical discomfort and her compassion will long be remembered.
The shop’s going out of business sale will continue through mid-March. Religious statues, rosaries, medals, chains and jewelry, as well as books, Waterford crystal, Belleek pottery and Donegal China, paintings, as well as communion, confirmation and gift items are on sale. The shop’s hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The shop is located at 253 Knickerbocker Road in Tenafly. Call (201) 568-0478 for information.