Central Island Healthcare in Plainview recently recognized long-time volunteer Sister Mary Reparatrice for her dedication to providing for the spiritual needs of its patients and residents. Sister Reparatrice has been a Sister of Mercy for the past 70 years and has faithfully volunteered as a spiritual leader at Central Island Healthcare for over 32 years.

On Feb 3, Sister Reparatrice's 91st birthday, Central Island held a very special celebration in honor of her birthday and surprised her with a dedication of the newly named, Sister Reparatrice Dining Room which is on the third floor of the facility. "We wanted to express our gratitude to Sister Reparatrice and somehow thank her for all she has done over the years. " said Central Island Healthcare Executive Director Scott Wheeler. "We felt that the occasion of her birthday would serve as a perfect backdrop to honor and celebrate this very special woman and recognize her accomplishments."

Sister Mary Reparatrice was born to Lillian and Gaetano La Loggia on February 3, 1913. The first nine years of her life were spent in the Bronx until they moved to Brooklyn where she went to school with the Sisters of Mercy. Sister Reparatrice reminisces that it was during this time that the seeds of her vocation were sown and then further nurtured in the Mercy Juniorate High School. Her father opposed her leaving home to enter the convent so after waiting three years, she "eloped" with the Lord and entered religious life on September 8, 1933. Sister Reparatrice taught nine years at the St. Patrick School in Brooklyn, 11 years at the St. Patrick School in Bay Shore, and ministered for 25 years in various ways at the Our Lady of Mercy Academy girl's high school in Syosset.

In May of 1972, Sister Reparatrice became a member of the Charismatic Prayer Group, which was newly founded at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Hicksville. In June of the same year, Father Jim Brassil, founder of the prayer group, and Sister Reparatrice brought a group to what was then called, "Central Island Nursing Home" and started the still running tradition of the Monday night prayer meeting for all faiths. At that time she reminisces that when she first came to Central Island it was "love at first sight" even joking with the administrator at the time if she could "rent a room there".

In August of 1974, Sister Reparatrice took up residence in the Our Lady of Mercy Convent and worked part-time in the parish doing census work, visiting parishioners at the former Central General Hospital and arranging for regular Masses for the seniors at Barnum Avenue and Shepherd Hill. During it all, the work that was closest to her heart was her work with the residents at Central Island, and under the guidance of former administrator, Mrs. Poznik and Dorothy Donohue, set up a program for the prayer group members to visit the residents on a social basis.

The invitation to minister to the residents of Central Island was extended to all Eucharistic Ministers of the parish and the response was wonderful. In 1988, the Eucharistic Ministers of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, represented by Sister Reparatrice and Mae Bennett, were awarded first place in Nassau County in the area of "Spiritual Guidance" as well as first place in New York State by the New York State Heatlh Facilities Association for their work at Central Island Healthcare. Sister Reparatrice's birthday/dedication ceremony was attended by many who know and love her including the Eucharistic Ministers, friends and patients, residents and staff of Central Island Healthcare. A plaque was presented, officially re-naming the dining room area and plenty of music and birthday cake was enjoyed by all. Central Island extends a heartfelt thank you to Sister Mary Reparatrice for her many years of service and best wishes on the occasion of her 91st birthday.