Sister Mary Loyola Macdonald

Died peacefully at Our Lady of Mercy Convent, Auburn on November 2, 2011. Born May 9, 1925 in Oakland, she was the daughter of Joseph and Veronica MacDonald. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 21, 1943 and professed final vows on August 21, 1949. A dedicated and passionate educator, Sister Mary Loyola spent most of her 58 years in education ministry in elementary schools, high schools, and parishes throughout the Sacramento Diocese including: St. Joseph School, Auburn; Our Lady of Fatima and St. Joseph School, Sacramento, St. Joseph School, Redding; Bishop Armstrong High School, St. Joseph Academy High School and Bishop Manogue High School, Sacramento; Mercy High School, Carmichael; and in her later years as instructor and adjunct Professor, St. Mary's College, Moraga extension program; Coordinator of Religious Education at St. Anthony and St. Joseph Parishes, Sacramento. She earned her MA in English from Dominican College, San Rafael. In 1963, she attended Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C, where she earned her Ph.D. in English. She then served as dean and instructor at College of Our Lady of Mercy in Auburn from 1967 to 1974. She served concurrently as Assistant to the Superior General of the congregation and Director of Formation of new members. In 1979 she expanded her teaching to include adult religious education and was among the first teachers of the Lay Ministry Program for the Diocese of Sacramento. She also served in the Marriage Tribunal Office for the Diocese of Sacramento for three years. In 1986 she was appointed Director of Education Ministry for the congregation and her vision for education led to the initiation of Mercy Education Resource Center. In 1995 she moved to Auburn and was involved in retreat and spiritual direction ministry at Mercy Center for eight years. Due to declining health, she spent her remaining years in Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary. A vigil service will be held on Monday, November 7 at 7:00pm and a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 8 at 10:00am. All services will be at Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, Auburn. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to: Mercy Education Ministries, 535 Sacramento Street, Auburn, CA 95603. Arrangements under the care of W.F. Gormley & Sons, Independently owned since 1897.