About Our Director of Religious Education:
(Excerpts from Catholic Standard & Times, Issue 9.17.09)

Immaculate Heart Sister, Mary James McCaffrey, was a classroom teacher for 30 years and now a Director of Religious Education for twenty-two years. The middle of five children of James and Esther McCaffrey, or as she puts it, “the meat between the bread,” she was a ringleader when they were up to mischief. Her dad was chauffeur to the Archbishops of Philadelphia for 44 years, and she grew up in a house on the grounds of their residence. She chose to become a DRE because she loves teaching and no subject is more important than religion. In this capacity she’s served at SS Simon and Jude, West Chester; St. Eleanor, Collegeville; Queen of Peace, Ardsley, and for the last seven years at Our Lady of Charity, Brookhaven.  She coordinates PREP with its 36 volunteer teachers and 225 children.  She also coordinates religion programs for the almost 200 children in the school, prepares Masses and services for them, coordinates RCIA programs and even conducts adult Bible study.

Sister Mary James loves interaction with the school children on a daily basis, and is thrilled in her capacity.  She is connected with the entire parish, not just children and parents.  Her aim? “I hope to reflect gentleness, the compassion and love of Christ,” she said.  “My own spirituality has grown through this work.”