Age 80
Sister Maria Edwards was a Sister of Mercy for 62 years. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1959. She made her final vows in 1967. She began her ministerial life as an elementary and high school teacher. She then worked for the Diocese of Nashville in youth ministry, authoring the first book ever published on the topic of Roman Catholic youth ministry. She served at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Hendersonville, Tennessee. As a pastoral associate, she ministered as a spiritual director, counselor, and director of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). She brought over 700 people into the Catholic Church through the RCIA program.
Sister Maria dedicated her life to being a compassionate, loving presence for all. She embodied her ring motto, “Love as I Have Loved,” and lived this commitment throughout her life. To meet her was to encounter the love of God.