Sister Agnes Holmes, OP (Sister Michael Ann) of the Dominican Sisters of Hope died on August 21, 2023. She was 92 years old.
The daughter of the late John and Mary Holmes, she was born August 7, 1931, in County of Mayo, Ireland.
Sister Agnes entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, New York, in September 1953, made her First Profession in June 1955, and Final Profession in August 1958. Sister Agnes earned her BA in Social Studies from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York and a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, Connecticut.
Sister Agnes’ early ministries included elementary education and congregational service. She taught at Saint Mary School in Paterson NJ (1955-65) and Little Flower School in Pensacola FL (1965-70). She was administrator of Mount Saint Mary Convent in Newburgh (1971-72). She then taught at Saint Mary School in Gloucester NJ (1972-75) and Sacred Heart School in Camden NJ (1975-78). She taught and was pastoral minister at Saint Vincent DePaul Parish in Holiday, Fl (1978-86). Sister Agnes was Pastoral Minister at Saint Rita Church in Wellington, Florida from 1986 until her retirement in 2011.
Sister Agnes is survived by her Dominican Sisters of Hope, her sister Mary McHale, her brother James, nephews Sean and Gerald and niece in-law Mary.
She is predeceased by her parents John and Mary Holmes and her siblings Barbara, Daniel, Francis, Gerard, Michael, Patrick and Teenie.
I learned so much about being a caring teacher from Sister Agnes as one of her students at Little Flower Catholic School in Pensacola Florida. She is one of the reasons I chose to be a teacher.
Sister Agnes was such a wonderful human being. I met her years ago going through RCIA at St Rita, Wellington, Fl. She was such an inspiration. We had many talks one on one: the love and compassion she showed to everyone. Our talks only deepened my faith in the Catholic religion. Sister you will always be in my heart. Rest in peace Sister, until we meet again.