Bishop Matthew Clark and eleven Sisters of Mercy visited St. Patrick's School in Owego on Friday, January 30, to help celebrate the 140th  anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy to Owego. 

 In 1868, Rev. Francis Clark requested the assistance of the Sisters of Mercy in the operation of the decade-old parish school.  Mother Stanislaus and four Sisters arrived on January 29, 1869.

 Bishop Clark celebrated an 11:00 am Mass, during which the McAuley Award was presented to Katherine Haeling, of Apalachin, for her exemplary service to church and community. 

 After Mass, Bishop Clark joined the Sisters of Mercy for a luncheon in their honor in the St. Patrick School dining room. The sisters, some of whom taught at St. Patrick's, toured the school and viewed a visual history of the school that has been compiled for the 150th celebration of the school's opening. 

 Paula Smith, principal of St. Patrick School, stated "It is an honor to have Bishop Clark join us for this momentous day in our school's growing history. The Sisters of Mercy have played an integral role in forming St. Patrick School over the last 140 years. We are proud of reaching our 150th anniversary and through the support of our wonderful community members, such as Katherine Haeling, I'm confident our school is entering another century of excellence."