Nov. 25, 2015

Sister Mary William Argy, SSJ
St. Joseph Sister Mary William Argy is a jubilarian of 65 years. 

She was born in 1929, the daughter of William and Mary Brady Argy and had four older brothers and sisters: Richard, Msgr. William Argy, Mary Agnes Hogan, and Sr. Margaret, OSU.

The family then lived in Brownville  and later lived in Lyons Fall, and then Harrisville where she graduated from High School in 1947. She completed two years of undergraduate studies at Nazareth College, Rochester. 

On September 8, 1949 Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph and received the Habit on April 16, 1950.  she professed her final vows Aug. 28, 1955 with Bishop Walter Kellenberg officiating.

Sister received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Villanova University PA, and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Potsdam. She received permanent State Certification in Elementary Education, New York State Administration, and Supervision at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Sister completed post graduate studies and workshops for professional, theological and spiritual updating at Notre Dame, Indiana, St. Lawrence University, ad one year a Galilee Institute for Spirituality in Arnprior, Canada.

Sister Mary William taught at the elementary level at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Holy Family Schools, both in Watertown; St. Mary’s in Massena; St. James, Gouverneur, where she served a teaching principal and superior; Holy Name School  AuSable Forks; and again at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School in Watertown, where she was Supervising Principal.  She was Administrator Assistant to the Diocesan Superintendent of Education for five years.

Sister was a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph General Council, Mater Dei College Board of Trustees, Assistant Director of the Junior Professed Sisters. 

During the last 23 years of service in Diocese of Ogdensburg, Sister served as Pastoral Assistant at St. Peter’s in Lowville, and then at St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown.

In 2008 Sister Mary William retired to the Motherhouse in Watertown where she is helping to prepare lay men and women candidates for the Sisters of St. Joseph Associates’ Program. 

She is assistant to the House Superior, catalogues library gooks on computer, drives Sisters to appointments, keeps up on her hobby of sewing and various other kinds of needle work.

Sister Mary William finds it a wonderful blessing to have more time for prayer and spiritual reading.

Sister Catherine Laboure Goodbout, SSJ
Sister Catherine Laboure Goodbout  is also celebrating 65 years of religious life.

A native of Canton, she is the daughter of the late Ernest and Mary LaPierre Goodbout.

Sister Catherine graduated from Canton High School in 1936 and received a bachelor’s degree in education from Potsdam State University College.

Sister Catherine worked as a secretary at St. Lawrence University, Canton, before entering the Sisters of St. Joseph on March 24, 1950. She received the habit six months later and professed her final vows on September 24, 1955.

Sister Catherine taught at the primary level at various schools in the diocese including St. John’s,  Morristown;  Holy Name, AuSable Forks; St. Joseph the Worker, Mineville; St. James, Gouverneur;  St. Joseph’s, Massena; St. Andrew’s Norwood; and Holy Name School, Tupper Lake.
Sister Catherine also taught catechism and made home visits for parishioners at St. Cecilia’s, Adams, and Holy Name, AuSable Forks; where she served as school secretary and librarian.

Since retiring in 1995, Sister Catherine has resided at the Motherhouse in Watertown, where, for more than 15 years, she made home and  hospital visits to shut-ins and patients at local nursing homes and hospitals.
Sister Catherine looks for people with whom she can play pinochle on a regular basis.

Today, Sister Catherine ministers to her community’s sisters who live at the Motherhouse infirmary.