Sister Madonna Sweet, known as a leader, counselor and spiritual guide, passed away June 5, 2024, at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence in Clarence after several years of declining health. She was 86.
A natural leader, Sister Madonna served as vice president of the Sisters of St. Joseph from 1969 to 1977. She then was elected president for two terms (1977-1985). Under her guidance, the congregation followed the mandates of Vatican II for religious congregations, particularly that they revise their constitutions. While president, Sister Madonna inspired the sisters with seasonal reflections on the Maxims of John Peter Medaille, SJ, founder of the congregation. Again in a leadership role 2002-2009, she was appointed liaison to the congregation’s Associate Program.
Beyond her congregation, Sister Madonna was active in the regional and national work of the Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph as well as in the diocesan, regional and national Leadership Conference of Women Religious. She held office in both groups.
As she concluded her term as president of the diocesan LCWR in 1983, Bishop Edward Head wrote to her, “I believe that under your leadership this conference has made significant progress in enhancing the role of women religious in our diocese and also in assuring the effective ministry of women religious to our church and to our community.”
An astute business woman, she served on multiple local boards, including the Our Lady of Victory Corporation, the Institute of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Medaille College, the Center for Justice, and the Diocesan Counseling Center for Clergy and Religious. She held leadership roles on many.
Throughout her years of multiple responsibilities, Sister demonstrated her willingness to listen, coupled with the skill of identifying and articulating the essence of information. She presented her positions with clarity and decisiveness.
The oldest daughter of Raymond and Marian (Crowley), Sweet, Sister Madonna was born August 21, 1937, in Buffalo. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph order in September 1956, taking the religious name Sister Raymond Marie, and pronounced her final vows in August 1964. She taught for several years, mainly at Mount St. Joseph Academy in Buffalo and Our Lady of Victory Academy in Lackawanna.
She received a bachelor’s degree in education in 1962 and a master’s in education in 1968, both from Mount St. Joseph Teachers College (later Medaille) in Buffalo. The college awarded her an honorary doctorate of humane letters in 1980.
Returning to college at age 48, Sister enrolled in the School of Social Work at SUNYBuffalo and completed a master’s degree in 1987. She joined Child and Family Services in 1989, doing family counseling for 12 years. She subsequently served as a therapist (2004-2011) at the Diocesan Counseling Center for Clergy and Religious which she had been instrumental in founding in 1975.
Prior to moving to the Clarence Residence in 2018, she worked at the Bristol Homes as a New York State Office of the Aging Long-Term Care ombudsman and belonged to the Erie County Deputy Sheriff Badge and Shield Club. She also continued to be available for spiritual direction and counseling.
An avid Sabres and Bills fan, Sister enjoyed gardening, knitting, reading and travel.
Sister is survived by her sister, Judith Nowak.
A funeral Mass was offered at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence.