Sr. Lourdette Harrold Retires From Saint Vincent’s After 49 Years

After 49 years of ministering to the children and families of Saint Vincent’s, Sister M. Lourdette Harrold, a Sisters of Mercy has retired.  During her tenure, Sister Lourdette had numerous roles and administrative positions which allowed her to see many changes as the organization evolved over time.  Sister Lourdette contributed much to the ongoing development of Saint Vincent’s as one of the scores of Sisters of Mercy who have ministered at Saint Vincent’s.  She holds one of the longest tenures of any of the Sisters of Mercy or any other staff member since the founding of Saint Vincent’s almost 125 years ago.

During Sister Lourdette’s forty-nine years at Saint Vincent’s, and her 60 years ministering in the Diocese of Fall River as a Sister of Mercy, she has impacted the lives of thousands of children and families.  Her ministry has touched the lives of children as young as 4, youth and young adults, grown adults who once lived at Saint Vincent’s as children, and many, many grandparents.  In the early 1970’s, she implemented the foster grandparent program at Saint Vincent’s through the anti-poverty agency, Citizens
for Citizens.

Upon her retirement, Sister Lourdette commented on the fact that the Sound of Music is one of her favorite musicals and in that musical is her favorite song, Climb Every Mountain.  She further noted, “After ministering at Saint Vincent’s for forty-nine years, I have climbed every mountain, and now I know that my work at Saint Vincent’s is finished.”   Saint Vincent’s Executive Director, Jack Weldon thanked her by saying, “Words cannot do justice to expressing our gratitude as a staff for all Sister Lourdette has contributed and all that she has meant as a presence within the organization.  We are grateful to her and thank her for choosing to give of herself so freely and generously for so long.”  Mr. Weldon presented an Irish pottery Belleek tea cup to Sister Lourdette as symbol of a perpetual, comfortable cup of tea just as the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley, would have wanted.  In addition, Mr. Weldon gave Sister Lourdette a music box playing Nat King Cole’s signature tune, “Unforgettable” (1951).

Sister Lourdette will be enjoying a little rest and relaxation during the summer months and is making plans for a mini-sabbatical in the fall.