< Sister
Stories
 Sister
Stanislaus Mackey
Entered 1933, Died 2004
For many years I was missioned in Central America.
I am now retired, but I had the opportunity to return
there a few years ago. It was the most wonderful
experience, not only to see old friends, but also
to witness the difference our Congregation has made
over the years in the lives of so many people.
As I visited many of the old familiar places, I
recalled the journey that led me there.
I was born in Kilnaboy, Ennis, County Clare, Ireland.
When I was almost 18
years old, I entered St. Michael's Convent in Carrigoran,
County Clare, Ireland
as a candidate for the Religious Life. It was something
I had long thought about
and prayed for.
Our “band” arrived
at Villa de Matel on October 21, 1935. I was very
sure
that I wanted to be a nurse. When I entered Hotel
Dieu School of Nursing in
Beaumont in 1941, I loved each course and service
rotation.
I was a nurse in Surgery when, in 1962, Pope John
the XXIII asked all U.S.
General Superiors of Congregations of men and women
to contribute 10
percent of their religious personnel to Latin America
and other third world
countries. Our General Superior, Mother M. Fidelis
Flynn, responded by
sending out a call to the Congregation for four volunteers
for Guatemala in
Central America.
I had read a lot about Central America and had heard
priests talking about it. I
remember thinking that if God wanted me, it would
be nice if I go and help.
I volunteered for the mission, and to my delight,
I was chosen to serve, along
with Sisters Paulette Shaunfield, Margaret Kelly,
and Dermot Cahill
Mother Fidelis told me that we would be staffing
a Hospital in Guatemala. I
remember trying to visualize some of the mission
needs and what I could take
with me to Guatemala to use there.
We arrived in Huehuetenango in March, 1962, and
were welcomed by Bishop
Hugo Gerberman, a Maryknoll Missionary who was the
Bishop of
Huehuetenango and by Dr. George Vides, the Medical
Director of Hospital
Nacional, the Government-owned Hospital in that city.
First I had to have education and training in Spanish.
I found it hard learning
Spanish until one of the Maryknoll Sisters said, “Stan
if you go down there
where English isn't spoken, then you will quickly
learn” --- and that was just
how it was done.
In 1963 when I first saw the Hospital, I found it
difficult to know where to
begin. There were so many needs. We were glad to
have our Congregation
and especially Villa de Matel as a resource to call
upon, because many times
there were two and sometimes three very sick patients
to a bed, no inside
running water, no electric power except one small
outlet, and no medical and
surgical supplies available.
Let me show you some pictures…
Since most of the patients who had traveled long
distances to get to the hospital
were already too sick to recover --- I thought that
if we got to them sooner we
could save their lives. I worked with the people
of the village and taught a small
group of them how to recognize symptoms of illnesses
and how to use simple
remedies to relive pains and aches.
The men and women of this educated group discovered
the sick people in the
area and helped them by getting them to the hospital
sooner. This plan spread
throughout the villages.
Today Sister Madeleva and her Health Promoters are
truly making a difference.
They travel to the most remote areas to help the
poorest of the poor.
In 1974, I was assigned to St. Francis Hospital
in Tulsa and later to St. Mary
Medical Center in Long Beach. In 1983, I was able
to return to Central
America when I was assigned to COAR Orphanage in
Zaragoza, La Libertad,
El Salvador with Sister Audrey.
It was there on June 21, 1989, that I was shot in
the left side of my head. I was
brought back in a medical jet plane to St. Joseph
Hospital in Houston to receive
the medical and surgical care needed.
Today, there is a new, excellently equipped hospital
in Huehuetengango and a
trained staff. Dr. Vides' daughter has taken over
her father's practice.
What they have done in this community is remarkable.
Quality of care has
improved 100 percent.
I didn't think I would ever be going back there.
I wasn't sure if I was even
going to live. But, thanks be to God, I have been
able to return to see the lives
touched by our ministry.
It is not what I did there, but what God did for
me and how we were able to be
His instruments in helping to relieve the suffering.
I wish everyone could see just how much has been
achieved there. I thank God
for the medical and surgical achievements.
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Stories
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