Sister Ursula McGovern, OP, formerly Sister M. Cajetan, a member of the Sisters of Saint Dominic for 71 years, entered eternal life on December 24, 2024. Sister Ursula was born in the Bronx, NY to Edward and Agnes Egan McGovern on February 20, 1935. She entered the Sisters of Saint Dominic on February 2, 1953, from Holy Spirit Parish, Bronx, NY and professed her first vows on August 25, 1953.
Sister Ursula was a devoted educator whose compassion, competencies, and caring spirit touched the lives of countless students, colleagues, and communities throughout her extraordinary life. She earned a BA in education from Catholic Teachers’ College, Rhode Island, an MA in Reading, from Manhattan College, Bronx, and later in her life, she completed an MA in Early Childhood Education from the College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY.
Her ministry as an educator spanned several decades, during which she dedicated herself to teaching and administrative leadership in schools across New York, Rhode Island and Jamaica, West Indies. From 1958 to 1971 she taught at St. Raymond School, Providence, RI, and Immaculate Conception School, Amenia, NY. Sister Ursula was then asked to serve as teacher, and then principal in the congregation’s mission in Christiana, Jamaica, West Indies. This mission had a significant impact on Sister Ursula’s life shaping her life-long commitment to social justice, as well as human and social development. In 2000, she traveled to war-torn Iraq with the Dominican Order’s delegation Voices for Veritas, to document the impact that the US war with Iraq was having on Iraqi children. Sr. Ursula served as Preaching Promoter for the Blauvelt Dominicans from 1999—2005. She was committed to integrating preaching and justice.
Returning to the United States, in 1978, Sister Ursula continued her teaching career at St. Nicholas of Tolentine High School in the Bronx. Shortly after, she became principal of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Tappan NY (1980 to 1986). Her next mission was to St. Dominic’s Family Services where she served as Education Coordinator for over a decade before becoming the Director of Early Childhood Education, where her skills as administrator and master teacher made a significant impact on families, staff, and young students.
In 2008, Sister Ursula was accepted into the Ministry to Ministers Sabbatical Program at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, where she focused on theological updating and renewal. Her work and study in this field reflected her deep commitment to spiritual growth and integrative spirituality. In her later years, Sister Ursula ministered at Dominican University’s Learning Resource Center, where she was beloved by colleagues and students alike.
Throughout her life, Sister Ursula was known for her warm smile, dedication to her students, and her unwavering devotion to her Blauvelt Dominican congregation and the ministry of education.
In addition to her religious family, Sister Ursula is survived by her beloved sister Cathleen Sheridan and her husband John, niece Kelly O'Neill and her husband Jim and their children, Teagan and Patrick. Also, her nephew Robert, and nieces Stacey and Lauren. Sister Ursula was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Agnes McGovern and her brother, Edward T. McGovern.
May she rest in the arms of her loving God.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend services at:
ST. DOMINIC’S CONVENT, 496 WESTERN HIGHWAY, BLAUVELT, NY 10913
WAKE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 9:30 am - 11:00 am
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: FRIDAY, JANUARY 3 at 11:00 am
BURIAL: ST. DOMINIC’S CONVENT CEMETERY, immediately following Mass.
Arrangements have been made by Hannemann Funeral Home, Nyack, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt.