WATERTOWN, NY — Sister Aquinas Hagan died on December 4, 2018 at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse at the age of 75.
She was born in Lowville on June 9, 1943, daughter of Powers Hagan and Marion Campbell Hagan.
Sister Aquinas is a graduate of Immaculate Heart Academy, Watertown. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on October 15, 1959. She received the habit on June 24, 1960. On June 24, 1965, Sister made her Final Profession.
She received her bachelor’s degree from the NYS University of Potsdam, her Masters of Arts Degree from Weston School of Theology, Boston, MA. She continued her studies towards her Ministry of Divinity Degree in Spirituality at San Francisco Theology Seminary. Sister Aquinas received a Fulbright Scholarship to the Fulbright Seminar: “Ancient and Modern Israel” in Jerusalem.
She taught in St. Joseph’s School, Dannemora, St. John the Evangelist School, Morristown, St. Andrew’s School, Norfolk, Sacred Heart, St. Patrick’s, and Holy Family Schools, all three in Watertown, Augustinian Academy, Carthage, and Holy Name School, AuSable Forks. Sister Aquinas taught religion for the Special Religious Education Program, Watertown, and did pastoral work at St. Regis Church, Akwasasne.
Following her studies at Weston School of Theology, Boston in 1983, Sister Aquinas was the Assistant Professor for the Religious Studies at Mater Dei College. Sister Aquinas also coordinated the Diocesan Permanent Diaconate Program and was an instructor in the program. She aided in the initial program for the Diocesan Formation for Ministry Program, setting up the curriculum development, writing course descriptions, and teaching the courses throughout the Diocese of Ogdensburg and at the Mohawk Nation Center, Hogansburg.
She served on the Diocesan Sisters’ Council, the Ecumenical Committee, and the Natural Family Planning Commission Advisory Board. Sister Aquinas chaired “The Outcome Task Force for the Middle States Self Study” and served on several committees while at Mater Dei College. She became the Diocesan Traveling Religious Educator for the Diocese of Ogdensburg from 1990 to 1999. In 1990, she implemented the Diocesan program “To Teach as Jesus Did”. Sister directed, co-coordinated and taught in this program which assisted Catholic School principals and parish leaders in their responsibility for the faith formation of Catholic School teachers and of teachers in parish religious education programs. Sister Aquinas received the “Sharing the Light of Faith Award” in June of 1994. In 1999, she became an Associate Pastor at St. Joseph’s Church, Antwerp until she retired to the Motherhouse and became involved in the prayer apostolate.
Sister Aquinas is survived by her brother and his wife, David and Deanna Hagan, Huntersville, NC and several cousins. She is predeceased by her parents, Powers and Marion Hagan, and her cousin, Rev. Paul Hagan.
Funeral arrangements are with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown.
Waking hours will be at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse Chapel Thursday, December 6, in the afternoon and evening, with the Wake Service at 7:00 PM. The funeral liturgy will be held at the Motherhouse Chapel on Friday, December 7, at 11:00 AM. Rev. Leo Wiley will be the celebrant and Msgr. Robert Aucoin will be the homilist. Burial in Glenwood Cemetery will follow the liturgy.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 1425 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601.
Online condolences to her family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com.
