SisterBayo. Everyone loves Sr. Bayo. But don t ask her BRINGING GOD S LOVE INTO THE WORLD

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1 25 SisterBayo leader. Sr. Bayo is, in the Everyone loves Sr. Bayo. But don t ask her about it. She s far too modest. She ll say she s nothing without the rest of the teachers, that she s just part of a team, and she ll subtly steer the conversation toward the merits of some other educator instead. If you want to know how much everyone adores Angela Bayo, RSCJ, just read any of the many cards, letters and journals that mention her name. The first time I met her and saw her eyes, writes a third grade student, at that moment I felt that I was welcomed in this school. Our daughters in their red-and-white checked pinafores are often clustered around you in a collective hug, writes a parent, the ultimate testimony of their love, acceptance, and devotion. I remember going through all of Lower School feeling there was a special presence behind me and cheering me on, a ninth grader writes. I will always remember you like a guardian angel or a saint. I like when I curtsy to Sister Bayo, writes a kindergartener. She gives me a big smile and I know she loves me. You always have that beautiful twinkle in your eye that makes us feel so special, write two fourth graders. You shine out like the stars! Sr. Bayo is clearly beloved throughout the 91st Street community. Serving first as Head of the Lower School and then as the Lower School s religious education consultant, she has touched the lives of thousands of children and adults, and is revered as an extraordinary educator and words of many current students, part of what makes Sacred Heart, Sacred Heart. It is nearly impossible to imagine the halls of the school without her. But this September, after 45 years of dedicated service, Sr. Bayo decided to retire and relocate. Many people knew about her recent major surgeries, but the news of her move was unexpected, and when she made the announcement at the opening Mass for faculty and staff, there were a few gasps and some tears. You d never know it to look at her, but the luminous Sr. Bayo is 86 years old. Still, the idea that she was moving to Abba House, the residential care facility in Albany run by the Society of the Sacred Heart, seemed inconceivable. With characteristic eloquence and grace, however, Sr. Bayo turned the news into an opportunity to show her love for the school. Speaking extemporaneously, she promised to devote at least one full day of prayer to each member of the 91st Street community. The moment encapsulated many of the characteristics and gifts that make Sr. Bayo such a cherished figure: her ability to speak publicly, from the heart, without a script or notes; her skill at making each person feel heard, recognized, and important; her openness to change; her instinctive leadership in difficult situations. Most of all, though, the moment embodied her faith in God and in love. BRINGING GOD S LOVE INTO THE WORLD I like when I curtsy to Sister Bayo she gives me a big smile and I know she loves me. a kindergartener

2 26 les amies 2013 If you treat little children with love and respect, and you help them understand that you re there for them rain or shine, they're happy. Sr. Bayo at two years old and in a photograph taken outside the chapel for the school calendar Sr. Bayo s belief in the power of love was cemented at a young age. Born in 1926 in New York City, Angela Lucy Bayo grew up hearing the story of how her parents fell in love at first sight. Her father, who was traveling in South America on business, saw her mother and instantly fell in love. When he had to return to the United States, they wrote letters to Sr. Bayo one another, eventually deciding to marry by proxy so that she could reunite with him in New York as his lawfully wedded wife. Sister Bayo grew up in a closely knit family with her younger sister Mary and brother Louis in Manhattan. We were very conscious of our parents love for us and lived our lives in an atmosphere of caring for one another. Sr. Bayo counts it as one of her greatest privileges to have been educated at Maplehurst, the Sacred Heart school in the Bronx that would later become the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich. She loved the school. For her there was no one favorite teacher; it was the whole community that made it such a special place. The entire faculty was made up of women, mostly RSCJ, who were dedicated to helping you find your own values, she said. They all worked together to achieve this. By the time she was a teenager, she began to sense that she had a religious vocation. At the end of her senior year in college, the call was so strong that she felt compelled to follow it. After graduating from Manhattanville College, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart at Kenwood, Albany, making her first vows in 1951, and her final profession in As a young nun, Sr. Bayo served at 91st Street only briefly before leaving for positions at other Sacred Heart schools. She made a big impression, however, on Mary Ranney RSCJ, the Head of the Lower School at the time. In 1967, when Mother Ranney was called to become the Superior of the Sacred Heart community at 91st Street, she immediately thought of Sr. Bayo as her replacement. Sr. Bayo had multiple responsibilities as the Head of the Lower School, including overseeing the curriculum, managing teachers and their training, and organizing events. The best part of her job, though, was the time she got to spend directly with 91st Street s youngest students, those in Pre-K through fourth grade. She relished their openness and joy in life. If you treat little children with love and respect, and help them understand that you re there for them rain or shine, they re happy, said Sr. Bayo.

3 27 Her special connection with young children is apparent to everyone. She s a unique individual, said Kathleen Lydic, a former 91st Street parent and the current Director of Student Activities in the Lower School. I have never met any woman who looks at a child any child and sees all that is good in her and is able to generate her love to that child on a one-to-one basis the way Sr. Bayo can, she said. It s remarkable. Pat Hult recalled congratulating a second grader who had just performed at a Lower School assembly. The student responded that she thought it might have been good because Sr. Bayo had liked it. How do you know? asked Mrs. Hult. Because when Sr. Bayo likes something, the girl answered, she always gets water in her eyes. She enjoyed the children s forthrightness, even when it resulted in occasional awkward situations. Sr. Bayo recounted the time Nancy Salisbury RSCJ, the formidable Head of the entire school at the time, stood with her to greet the Lower Schoolers as they entered the Front Hall. When Sr. Salisbury asked one five year old her name, the child said, I told you yesterday! Why can t you remember? Sr. Salisbury didn t miss a beat. She just smiled and promised to try harder the following day. Because faculty play such a key role in education, Sr. Bayo believed in fostering each teacher s individual gifts. Recognizing, appreciating and nurturing their unique talents would help them become the best at whatever they were teaching. As a manager, Sr. Bayo stressed inclusion and harmony. She always believed happy teachers made happy students, said Regina Holohan, a former kindergarten teacher. After 29 years as Head of the Lower School, Sr. Bayo may have decided it was time for her to learn something new as well. In 1996, she retired to pursue other interests. After only a year, however, she was asked to return to 91st Street to serve as a consultant for religious education in the Lower School and to prepare second graders for their First Holy Communion. To the delight of everyone, she said yes. Everyone who knows Sr. Bayo agrees that she approaches the ceremony of First Communion with joy and reverence. No one knows how to prepare the girls as well, said Regina Holohan. She knows the importance of practice and making sure everything is in place. She is very exact. And, Regina continued, Sr. Bayo has such a soft manner, she presents things so kindly, that everyone wants to do as she asks. The sacrament of the Eucharist is an integral part of our lives and our relationship with God, said Sr. Bayo. She still remembers her own first communion very well. I was so moved by the ceremony, she said. It s hard to put into words, but somehow God was present to me, and I to Him, in a way I d never experienced before. She paused. It was truly a moment that changed my life. Sr. Bayo cherishes letters written to her by former students.

4 28 les amies 2013 She is so authentic and so focused... children trust her instinctively. When we re in the Chapel, you see that the students are capable of internalizing the meaning of the Eucharist, Kathleen Lydic said of the girls during the ceremony. She credits Sr. Bayo. They might not understand all of the theological implications, she said, but the girls understand Sr. Bayo, and her love for them and for God. And that s impressive. There is a sense of reverence and holiness about her, said Adele Gallo, a Lower School religion teacher who currently teaches the second graders about the sacrament of communion. She is so authentic and so focused...children trust her instinctively. Perhaps that is because Sr. Bayo, who is well-read and regularly peppers her conversation with references to theologians as well as the Bible, believes in her heart that God is not about rules. God is about love. And love is at the core of Sr. Bayo s being. If you give her a minute to talk, said Adele Gallo, she cannot resist talking about love. That s just who she is. Sr. Bayo s love is a powerful force. As Pat Hult said, One of the greatest joys of my time at this school is that I have been loved by Sr. Bayo. Thousands of us in the 91st Street community could say the same. Saint Madeleine Sophie said that she would have founded the Society of the Sacred Heart for the sake of one child. When a child first walks through our doors, Sr. Salisbury once wrote, this vision of St. Madeleine Sophie becomes a reality as Sister Bayo looks into her Adele Gallo Lower School religion teacher eyes on her first day of school...she knows that in Sister Bayo s heart she will always be that one special child. What greater gift could be given! Thank you, Sr. Bayo. We love you.

5 29 Joe Ciancaglini on Sr. Bayo St. Thomas Aquinas prayed: Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy thought can drag downwards; an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart which no unworthy purpose can tempt aside. Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know thee, diligence to seek thee, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace thee Aquinas must have been thinking about a heart like Sister Bayo s when he wrote these words centuries ago. Sister Bayo has been the heart of 91st Street for the last 46 years. Her love for each of us knows no bounds. Her vision is laser-sharp when she looks into a child s eyes. Sr. Bayo sees is a child of God who is here on earth to fulfill a purpose only that child can fulfill. Her advice and direction to every adult around her is simple find a way to reach that child s heart because that is where God is. On more than one occasion, Sister Bayo has come in to my office to talk about the state of the school. No matter the topic, Angie would take a moment. Think. Pray. And with the precision of a surgeon she would cut to the heart of the matter: What can we do to make that child or adult know that she is loved by God and by us? When Sr. Bayo was a young nun in formation, the nuns who trained her were only one degree removed from St. Madeleine Sophie herself. From Angie to the foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart to each one of us, there are only two degrees of separation. Nothing would make Sister Bayo happier than to see each of us bring the love of the heart of God into the world in everything we do and with every person we meet. Thank you, dear Angie, for loving us so much. In celebration of ANGELA BAYO, RSCJ and her 46 YEARS OF SERVICE to the 91st STREET COMMUNITY, Sacred Heart is creating a journal dedicated to her. It will be distributed at the 2013 Benefit in May, with a special hard-bound edition presented to Sr. Bayo. We hope that you will use this opportunity to tell Sr. Bayo what she has meant to the community and to you and your family by purchasing an advertisement. Proceeds from the journal will go to establish the Angela Bayo, RSCJ Endowment Fund. For complete details including order forms, please contact Zaida Cruz Bonilla at (212) x136, or Serra Yavuz at (646) You can also download an order form directly by visiting

6 30 les amies 2013 Lovella Beres on Sr. Bayo When I was about 20 years old, I had the privilege of meeting Sr. Bayo. I was interviewing for the position of head teacher in the Lower School at the Convent of the Sacred Heart on 91st Street in Manhattan. My first interview was with Sr. Bayo, Head of the Lower School. Being raised in the Lutheran tradition, I had not met very many nuns in my life, and I was a little nervous as I had not yet become a Catholic. Sr. Bayo greeted me in the school s front hall wearing a long black habit and a lovely warm smile on her face. I still remember what I wore as if it were yesterday. It was a long sleeved pink, raw silk, conservative dress with white collar and cuffs. In the style of the time it was "Mini" length very mini. After a short time with Sr. Bayo I realized I had nothing to dread. I was hired and in no time at all I realized how blessed I was to be part of this amazing community with happy opportunities and enriching experiences. Ninety-First Street is a community of people who are given choices. With this freedom to choose one develops confidence and courage. It is with confidence and courage that the children at the Convent of the Sacred Heart learn from a very early age that they can make a difference in the world. For example, at Thanksgiving time, Sr.Bayo would have the teachers in the Lower School send home a note with the children to bring in items of non-perishable foods, and money to contribute toward buying a turkey to create a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner for a family that was not as fortunate as they are. The children were so happy to be helping others and they always went above and beyond in their generosity of giving by always bringing in extra items. The excitement and happiness the children expressed while doing this and other projects throughout the year was clearly visible. St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress, said, "Your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world." Sr. Bayo was that example for her faculty and students. They in turn would be examples for others. Sr. Bayo was a good listener. She always cared about what her faculty members had to say and this is something most remembered by them. Sr Bayo had a profound effect whenever she spoke at school events or meetings. Very often I would have tears in my eyes. Her penchant for excellence in both academic and personal growth became our model for educating the whole child. In addition it was quite evident that Sr. Bayo had a deep appreciation and understanding of the arts. Sr. Bayo s belief in the importance of the arts in educating the whole child was exceptional. " Without friendship, we cannot go safely even a short distance." Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ. When Sr. Bayo was asked what being a member of the Sacred Heart community meant to her, she answered, To begin with, there's a community here of teachers, students and parents who have deepened in me an appreciation of the importance of having friends. I've become a better person because of them. I definitely grow in the measure that I feel connected to other people, no matter how young or old they are, no matter where they come from. I see them as gifts in my life, reflecting back to me, each in her or his own way, something of God s own Beauty, Truth or Love. She went on to say, "It is my hope that each child of the Sacred Heart feels as if she has been educated with great care. In her time here, the adults seek to model and teach confidence, character, intellect and a healthy spirit. Educating the whole person is not easy, but we do it. And when it is done, we realize that the children have had just as great an impact on us as we have had on them. Sr. Bayo's decision to retire is tremendously difficult for all in the Sacred Heart community, even though we wish her every happiness. She has been such a powerful influence on students and the entire adult community over the past 46 years. Her presence all those years fills every memory. It will be hard to imagine 91st Street without Sr. Bayo. Lovella Beres taught kindergarten at 91st Street for over 41 years. She is currently retired and lives in New York City and Long Island.

7 31 Pat Hult on Sr. Bayo Memories can play tricks sometimes. You remember something that happened many years ago, but the picture in your mind is so clear that it seems like it happened yesterday. And so is my memory of the very first time I met Sr. Bayo. I was a candidate for a maternity leave replacement in the fourth grade and I met Sr. Bayo in the Front Hall. Her gracious and gentle demeanor, her love for children, and her concern that they receive only the best all of that came though immediately. I did not know then that I was beginning a thirty-five year relationship that I would come to cherish. Whenever I think of Sr. Bayo, I think of those few but powerful words of Madeleine Sophie... it is the life lived a simple statement, so full of meaning. But in so many ways, it defines Sr. Bayo. Sister Bayo often told me how she came to be Head of Lower School at 91st Street. As a young nun, She had been assigned to 91st Street for just a short time before she went to Grosse Point to be Head of our school there. While she was here for that short time, Mother Ranney was the Head of Lower School. When Mother Ranney was preparing to leave her position as Head of Lower School, she was asked who she wanted to replace her. She immediately thought of Sr. Bayo. Sr. Bayo said she was always so amazed that Mother Ranney thought of her when her stay at 91st Street had been so short. Sr. Bayo might have been amazed, but none of us are today. Mother Ranney was a sharp observer of people, and she saw in Sr. Bayo someone who would bring the mission of Sacred Heart naturally to the children of 91st Street because that mission was so much a part of who she was. That mission defined Sr. Bayo as a person and as an educator. And what did it mean that Sr. Bayo was to lead her faculty in the Lower School for 29 years and teach us the essence of what a Sacred Heart education was? It meant that every decision Sr. Bayo made, every plan she proposed Pat Hult and Sr. Bayo with Mother Ranney for the future, and every daily interaction, all were centered on what would be best for the children, what would be best for that individual child. As future years would come to reveal, sometimes those decisions would be hard ones. Maybe at times there was a difficult message for parents to hear, but it was always delivered with such obvious love for the child and her welfare. If you were to ask the many faculty members who had the privilege of working under her leadership and guidance, what it was that made Sr. Bayo such a unique leader and educator, these are some of the responses you might receive: She has such compassion for the individual, for the child, for the parents, for the teachers. She is so open to listening to our ideas. She is so willing to give you a chance to try something new that you believe in, to give you the opportunity to grow. She possesses such respect for what you can bring to our community. She believes that every faculty member has gifts to share and she wants them to feel comfortable in sharing them. She puts such effort into preparing children for the future for what they need to know, for the way they need to present themselves in different situations, for the way they need to learn to express their ideas. She believes in the power of love. And because of that the atmosphere in the Lower School was always one of caring and concern. Sr. Bayo has been at 91st Street for 46 years. For the last 17 years, she has been a beacon of light for the entire community. She has represented all that we believe in when we say that a Sacred Heart education is different, unique. To say that we shall miss her does not begin to describe the depth of our feeling of loss. However, we remain forever grateful for the gift we received in the presence of Sr. Angela Bayo. Our collective memory of Sr. Bayo s time at 91st Street could easily be expressed in these words of St. Madeleine Sophie: How immense God s love is! It will call for boundless self-giving on your part. Thank you, Sr. Bayo for all you have given us these many years. Patricia Hult taught fourth grade at 91st Street for 8 years. She served as Head of the Middle School before becoming Head of the Lower School in 1996, and served as Head of School during the academic year.