Our Beloved Visitation Sisters

In 1871, six sisters of the St. Louis order of the Sisters of the Visitation (SVM) were invited to Dubuque by then-Bishop John Hennessy. It was the beginning of the Visitation order in Dubuque. At its height, the order had more than 60 members, now, two sisters remain. Sisters Paula Maloy, 90, and Patricia (Trish) Clark, 87, are grateful for their life paths, their careers, the contributions they made to the community and their collaboration with the church, particularly with the Sisters of the Presentation, who have provided them with a home for the past few years.

On June 9, 2024, Sisters Patricia and Paula transferred their congregational roles as president and vice-president to Presentation Sister Carmen Hernandez, or her appointee, to execute the implementation of their Covenant, or final disposition plan, upon death of their last member or when there are no members legally competent to manage their affairs. This plan will allow Sisters Patricia and Paula to live the remaining years of their earthly life in peace and comfort, knowing they will be cared for by the Sisters of the Presentation.

The Sisters of the Presentation share a kinship with the Visitation Sisters since 1874 when they extended hospitality to Dubuque Presentation foundress, Mother Vincent Hennessy. “We feel deeply blessed to assist Sisters Paula and Trish in carrying out their decisions about their future. We will walk with them in their waning years, assisting them individually and as a congregation, embracing an experience of mutuality in serving the Gospel,” states Sister Carmen Hernandez.

Photo: Left to right: Sister Carmen Hernandez, Visitation Sisters Patricia Clark and Paula Maloy with The Most Rev. Thomas Zinkula, Archbishop of Dubuque.