A platform that encourages healthy conversation, spiritual support, growth and fellowship
NOLACatholic Parenting Podcast
A natural progression of our weekly column in the Clarion Herald and blog
The best in Catholic news and inspiration - wherever you are!
Holy Family Sister Jennie Jones led St. Mary’s Academy
-
Sister of the Holy Family Jennie Louise Jones, who served for many years as the principal of St. Mary’s Academy, died Feb. 26.
She was 70 years old and had served for 52 years in religious life.
Sister Jennie was the daughter of the late Leonard Earl Jones Jr. and Mrs. Jennie Gourrier Jones.
Sister Jennie entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family on Sept. 8, 1970, and made first vows on Aug. 15, 1973.
In preparation for her ministry in education, Sister Jennie received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Xavier University of Louisiana and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of New Orleans.
Sister Jennie served as teacher, principal and assistant principal in her ministries. She taught and was assistant principal at St. Raymond School, assistant principal at St. Paul the Apostle, principal at Corpus Christi Elementary and Marian Central Middle School, all in New Orleans.
Sister Jennie also taught at Ecumenical High School in Dangriga, Belize, Central America.
After Hurricane Katrina, Sister Jennie taught at Pineville Middle School in Pineville, Louisiana.
Her longest tenure was as principal of St. Mary’s Academy, from which she retired in 2022. She also served as a member of the leadership team.
In 2012, Sister Jennie was among an elite group of nine Catholics honored as “Champions of Change in Catholic Education” at a special White House ceremony (Clarion Herald, Feb. 4, 2012, page 3).
Sister Jennie was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Earl Jones Jr., and brother, Benjamin “Bennie” Jones, and her paternal and maternal grandparents.
Sister Jennie is survived by her mother, Mrs. Jennie G. Jones; two brothers, Carl A. Jones and Leonard E. Jones, III (Gwendolyn); niece Mikeall Caesar (Rickey); two nephews, Jeffery Lewis and Jude Lewis; great nephew Stanley Tate, great niece Jennie Louise Hawkins; and a host of uncles, cousins, faculty, staff and students of St. Mary’s Academy, as well as religious sisters and friends.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated March 1 at the Sisters of the Holy Family Motherhouse Chapel in New Orleans, with visitation from 8 - 10 a.m., rosary at 9:15 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Due to COVID-19, everyone attending is required to wear masks and adhere to social distancing.