Our Lady of the Assumption Honors Sister Martha Pooler

A release from the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative:

LYNNFIELD, Ma. – Our Lady of the Assumption School held its first annual Hall of Fame Gala. The June 5 event was established to recognize individuals of the OLA School community who embody its values for LIFE: Lead others by our example, Inspire others by our activities, Faithfully follow the path of our Lord Jesus Christ, Each of us will work together to benefit all of us. The school’s first honoree was Sister Martha Pooler, of the Sisters of St. Francis.

Sister Martha was a member of OLA School’s founding faculty, starting as a first-grade teacher in 1961, the year the school first opened its doors. In 1986 she became its principal, and oversaw many educational changes to the curriculum and structural changes to the campus – including the renovation of the former convent that had served as the religious sisters’ living quarters to classroom space for the preschool and an inspirational location for its media center. Its library was named in her honor.

The long and illustrious list of Sister Martha’s accomplishments over her many years of service to OLA School would have been more than enough to make her the first Hall of Fame inductee. But those who spoke at the Gala – former co-workers and students – all touched upon what made Sister Martha special and her dedication distinct: her humor and her tireless, roll-up-your-sleeves efforts to make the school a shining example of the intrinsic connection between faith and education, education and faith.

Guests from near and far attended the event to show Sister Martha their appreciation and support. Father Jack Farrell, who served as Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish for 22 years, provided the opening prayer. Also in attendance were Father Paul Ritt, current Pastor of the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative, and Father Tony Luongo, Parochial Vicar of the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative.

In 2008, Sister Martha retired and returned to her religious order’s home in Pennsylvania. She now works part-time at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Philadelphia.