For the better part of three decades, Sister Muriel served as principal of St. Patrick School.  Under her direction, the young school(only six years old) grew into one of the best in the Diocese with enrollment increasing each year until one hundred children were on the school;s waiting list.  Yet, according to Sister Muriel, her proudest acheivement was not the enrollment numbers or the school's admirable test scores.  "It was having 'grown up' students quote my daily prayer: 'Let us always try to think like Jesus, speak like Jesus, and act like Jesus," she said.

Sister Muriel was born on March 3, 1917 in the Bronx.  She attended St. Rose of Lima School in Brooklyn (her home parish).  She then attended Girl's High in Brooklyn and later Manhattan College (New york) and Medaille College (Buffalo).  She entered the convent on February 2, 1934 and made her vows as a Sister of St. Joseph on July 29, 1936.

She began her career as an educator teaching kindergarten and first grade at St. Mary's (Flushing), St. Benedict Joseph's (Richmond hill), St. Brendan's (Brooklyn), and Most Holy Trinity (East Hampton).  She also taught sixth and eighth grades at St. John of God in Central Islip.  She became the principal of St. Patrick School, in 1971, a position she held for 24 years.

Many programs were initiated during her tenure, including the School Board; the Parents' Guild; the Nursery, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten programs; special music and art classes; a School Band and Choral Groups; monthly School Masses; and participation in the St. Patrick Day Parades.

She also introduced the opportunity for daily parent-teacher conferences; an open house in which parents could observe teachers in class; a science room, equipment and programs; the purchase of computers and a computer science program; volunteers to assist students individually; and the practice of welcoming former students back at any time.

Sister Muriel says her greatest joy as principal was being able to witness the reaching of her goal.  "I remained in St. Pat's long enough to watch students mature into wholesome Christian adults who brought their own children back to us to receive the same fine education that they had enjoyed," she said.  "I saw several beginning teachers become outstanding educators and parents of our students made comfortable in becoming very involved in the education of their children."

Still, Sister Muriel admits that the job of principal is a formidable task.  Her greatest challenge, she said, was working toward a goal of melding "ito a well-functioning Christian Community students, parents, faculty, employees, and volunteers wwho were under my care, being very mindful of human frailty and the pressures of modern society."

In her 24 years as principal, Sister Muriel left an indelible impression on many lives.  Yet, the way she says she hopes to be remembered is "as bing alway available as a Sister of st. Joseph who dearly loved students, parent, teachers, and the remarkable emplyees of St. Patrick School, who made life more beautiful as our Creator intended it to be."

In twenty-four years as principal, Sister Muriel compiled many memories.
Here are a few of them:

• I remember the beginning of each new school year...tears and fears as new students mixed with those returning to meet old friends after the summer fun!
• I will never forget the first School band concert which sounded rather weak and not too harmonious, and the last one I attended which made me think I was in Lincoln Center!
• I am still impressed by the remarkable art work of students who apparently thoroughly understood the value of human life as they thanked their parents for "allowing them to be born." They won many contests in our pro-life diocesan programs.
• The beautiful ceremonies for Our First Holy Communion children and Sister Charlott's lovely closing prayer will always remain in my heart.  She reminded parents that God loaned them their children to prepare for life.
• I always enjoyed "Grandparents Day" sponsored by the sixth graders each year.  Gradually I found myself in their category and participating in their memory games.
• Each year, class trips were planned for students.  Several times the youngsters informed me that the greatest part of the trip was the ride on the Long Island Railrad.  They would have preferred to continue the ride rather than participate in the "educational trip!"

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