Associate Theresa Gaffney Living God's Call

Born and raised in Manhattan, Presentation Associate Theresa Gaffney grew up in a family that valued Catholic education. While her siblings had chosen another Catholic school, Theresa, wanting to “do her own thing,” applied to St. Michael’s Academy. 

“I always felt close to St. Michael,” she explains. “Maybe because he’s the patron saint of police officers and my father was a police officer for a time.”

Once she began her time at St. Michael’s, however, Theresa was drawn to the school in a new way,  because of the sisters. “It was just one good Presentation sister after another,” she says. “I have such fond, fun memories of my time there. From Sister Gloria Perez, dean of students, greeting us as we walked in to all of the wonderful teachers.”

One of the first sisters to make a meaningful impact on Theresa was Sister Evelyn Kelly, who taught religion. She taught the students about Nano Nagle and the congregation. “I really grew to have a fondness for this foundress that I would not have otherwise known,” Theresa explains.

Over the years, Theresa had the opportunity to visit the sisters at Mt. St. Joseph for retreats and during spirit days. She found it a special privilege to get to meet the sisters where they lived.

During her senior year, Theresa met Sister Eleanor Joyce. Eleanor taught religion for the younger grades, but it was through the sacred space she made into a student chapel that Theresa found a home. “I used to make my friends come to Mass with me on Tuesday mornings. They didn’t want to get up early, but they did,” she says. 

Eleanor has remained a friend these many years and has been a spiritual guide throughout Theresa’s life.  “My path has never been a straight path and I have learned and grown from the turns in life,” she shares. “Throughout my life Eleanor has remained connected, often sending me letters. I have every letter she has ever written me.”

Theresa was a prayer associate during her high school years and still has prayer cards given to her during that time. She took the next step and became an associate minister in 1999. During that time associates would meet regularly, and Sister Esther Byrne used to share beautiful spiritual rituals with the group.

While Theresa felt called to vowed life, after a profound retreat experience she eventually chose to enter another community. Her time with this community was short, but she remained committed to her faith and eventually found her way back to the Presentation Sisters. 

Sister Mary Catherine Redmond was instrumental in reconnecting Theresa to communal prayer and other sisters invited her to visit and take part in retreat experiences. At the same time, she found information about other Presentation congregations on social media and began to follow their pages to stay updated on the mission across the United States.

After attending a congregational picnic in 2018, she joined a Come and Be online prayer experience in 2021 and, that September, was invited to a gathering at Mt. St. Joseph. After this she asked to be re-instated as an associate minister and has never looked back. She currently participates in online prayers and in-person events, as well as service experiences, taking every opportunity to partner with the congregation. She also has helped with the garden project at Mount St. Joseph, often volunteering to plant, weed and do other garden tasks alongside the sisters.

“I value the sense of belonging as an associate minister,” Theresa shares. “I value the sense of doing things together that make it possible to do better and greater things than I can do on my own.”

She goes on to say, “I find hope in knowing that I am on a journey with these women and it’s an active journey. I put my head on the pillow each night and I wake up in the morning knowing I am answering that personal call that I have. Even on the worst days there’s a reason to continue the journey.”

Theresa also finds joy with the sisters. “A Presentation sister told me that sisters have three bones: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone! This joy and fun is an important piece as well.”

With an eye to the future, Theresa hopes her role and commitment with the congregation continues to grow. “Who I am as a Presentation person is central to my future,” she states. “The sisters are the best friends that you could ever have. They are known for hospitality and continue to welcome the people of God (in so many ways).”

“If you are attracted to a life of servant leadership, this is the group for you!” Theresa says. “Associates are a growing group of people who are a reflection of the sisters, a reflection of their heart and charism. Come join us on this sacred journey!”