[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 144 (Thursday, September 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1763-E1764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATIONS TO SISTER MARGARET ANN COUGHLIN ON HER GOLDEN JUBILEE 
                          AS A SISTER OF MERCY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 2008

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sister 
Margaret Ann Coughlin, RSM, on the joyous occasion of her 50th 
anniversary of religious life. I am especially pleased and proud to 
acknowledge her Golden Jubilee as a Sister of Mercy because Sister 
Margaret Ann remains such an integral part of my family, celebrating 
with us in good times and offering herself as a steadfast tower of 
strength and comfort in our most challenging times. There are many 
families that claim Sister Margaret Ann as their own as her selfless 
outreach to those in need is well known and deeply appreciated.
  It was also my good fortune to accompany Sister Margaret Ann to the 
White House ceremony honoring Pope Benedict's XVI first visit to the 
United States. While Sister refers to the Papal Visit as the highlight 
of her religious life, it was I who was honored to have shared this 
experience with this woman dedicated to the very principles Pope 
Benedict spoke of on that historic April day. Calling for a more 
compassionate, free and just society, Sister Margaret

[[Page E1764]]

Ann's work personifies those principles as she lives a faith-filled 
life.
  Born to William S. and Margaret McDonough Coughlin on March 13, 1940, 
Frances Lillian Coughlin was the youngest child of this loving and 
legendary South Buffalo family. She joined her only brother, William 
(``Yappo'') and her sisters, Mary Joan, Patricia, Marjorie and Rita at 
the family home on Stevenson Street. She was just a teenager when her 
parents died within 12 months of each other and she went to live with 
Mary Joan, her brother-in-law, Jerry Flanagan, and their young family 
on Downing Street. Such would be the life story of the Coughlin's and 
so many other members of the ``Greatest Generation''--the family would 
always be there in some way to take care of and take in those who 
needed help and a home.
  These lessons clearly left an imprint on young Frances' heart as her 
vocation led her to join the Sisters of Mercy on September 15, 1958, 
the same year she graduated from Mt. Mercy Academy. Continuing 
education remains a cornerstone of Sister's hard work and growth as a 
member of this religious community. She earned degrees from Trocaire 
and Medaille Colleges in the 1960s and received her master's in 
pastoral studies from Loyola University in 1990. She earned continuing 
education credits from Notre Dame University and became a board 
certified chaplain in 2001 from the NACC (National Association of 
Catholic Chaplains).
  In her earlier years, Sister taught at several Catholic schools in 
Buffalo and served as the music minister at Our Lady of the Sacred 
Heart School in Orchard Park. She was the pastoral care minister at 
Mercy Hospital prior to her current work as a pastoral caregiver to the 
children and families of Our Lady of Victory Basilica Baker Home for 
Children. Sister Margaret Ann has also been recognized by her high 
school alma mater with the justly deserved ``Spirit of Mercy Award.''
  Not an easy life, Sister has suffered great loss and battled life 
threatening illnesses which may have weakened her physical health yet 
has certainly strengthened her sense of empathy and her ability to 
listen, counsel, comfort and console. A teacher and a preacher, Sister 
lives her life as an example of God's mercy and love in word and 
action. The love, laughter and gifts of Sister's life have certainly 
influenced the lives of so many others who belong to her extended 
network of family and friends, especially her beloved nieces and 
nephews and their children, who lovingly call her ``Aunt Sister.''
  Sister Margaret Ann's Golden Jubilee will be celebrated with family 
and friends on Sunday, September 14, 2008, at the Monsignor Nash 
Council Knights of Columbus in South Buffalo. Madam Speaker, I 
respectfully ask that the House of Representatives join with me and 
those whose lives have been lifted in hope and faith because of the 
life work of Sister Margaret Ann Coughlin in congratulating her on this 
significant anniversary. We extend our best wishes for her continued 
health and happiness and our deepest thanks to this woman of faith for 
her outstanding service to others.

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