News

Members of the Newton Country Day community gathered on Sunday, June 2 to celebrate Sister Barbara Rogers, RSCJ and her 34 years of service to Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. Among the upwards of 800 attendees were: students and alumnae with their families; past and present faculty, staff, and trustees; members of Sister Rogers’ family, and many of her fellow Religious of the Sacred Heart. 

The tribute event began with a Celebration of the Liturgy at the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola at Boston College. The Mass was celebrated by the Very Reverend Monsignor Kevin J. O’Leary and featured student cantors and a choir consisting of current students, alumnae, and faculty and staff. Sister Rogers was gifted with a letter from Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley, OFM, Cap. 

After the mass, guests proceeded to the Kathleen R. Martin Wellness Center, which was just one of many major capital improvements to the campus which Sister Rogers championed during her tenure as Head of School. Speakers at the reception included: Nicki Noel, Interim Head of School and longtime Newton Country Day faculty member and administrator; Isabella Adarme ‘24, current senior and Sister Rogers’ advisee; Martha Haddad P ‘22, Computer Science Department Chair and 30-year faculty member; Patricia “P.J.” Foster Lurvey ‘02, who spoke on behalf of the alumnae; Sister Anne Dyer, RSCJ, who spoke on behalf of the Religious of the Sacred Heart; Sally Rogers, who spoke on behalf of the Rogers family; and Maura Murphy ‘99, alumna and current Chair of the Board of Trustees of Newton Country Day. Speakers reflected on the remarkable financial turnaround Sister Rogers accomplished with the school as well as how she positioned the school for future success; her faith, generosity, compassion, excellence, and energy; her sharp business acumen and insistence on a firm handshake; and, above all, her courage, her confidence, and her deep commitment to Sacred Heart education. 

Among the many gifts presented to Sister Rogers were a box of letters and notes of gratitude from members of the Newton Country Day community and a book filled with Sister Rogers’ letters to the community from each of her 34 years as Head of School. Copies of the book were also gifted to attendees to take home as a keepsake.

Also announced at the reception was the successful completion of the challenge match for the Sacred Heart Endowment, which has now raised over $4.5 million. This new endowment, created in honor of Sister Rogers, will support tuition assistance for future generations of Sacred Heart scholars.