Catholic Sisters Week was celebrated from March 8-14, 2025 and Mercy Schools from all over the world found creative ways to honour the Sisters of Mercy in their communities. Jamaica followed suit with beautiful tributes being made to the Sisters who have dedicated their lives to supporting Jamaicans.
Far Left & Far Right: Two representatives of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Sisters Annunciata Williamson
This year, the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica celebrate the Platinum Jubilee for our beloved Sister Annunciata Williamson. Born Barbara Williamson on November 30, 1927, Sister Annunciata attended the Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha” before studying at a local commercial college to prepare for work in the world of business. After feeling the call to religious life, she entered the novitiate as Sister Mary Annunciata and took her final vows in 1955. For decades, Sister dedicated herself to ministry, by serving at St. Catherine’s Preparatory, Mt. St. Joseph Academy and Preparatory, Alpha Preparatory, Alpha Business College, Alpha Primary, and St. Joseph Hospital. Having faithfully served countless Jamaicans for decades, Sister is now in retirement and has been enjoying a well-deserved rest.
Having been a cherished member of our religious community for 70 years, we wished to honour her fellowship and service through a special charitable act which will bless those in our local community. In honour of her Platinum Jubilee, the Sisters of Mercy have made a donation to a charity which aligns with her values and heart for service. In January, US$5,000 was donated to the Ozanam Home for the Aged – a project of the St. Vincent de Paul Society which serves members of Jamaica’s elderly population through the provision of shelter and care. Now 98 years old, Sister Annunciata’s Jubilee donation will bless others by giving them access to a high level of care; much like that which Sister Annunciata has been given herself in her later years.
Sister Susan Frazer, RSM and Sister Miriam Krusling, RSM
St. John Bosco (SJB) Vocational Training Centre made a special tribute to honour Sister Susan Frazer, RSM and Sister Miriam “Mimi” Krusling, RSM ahead of Catholic Sisters Week. The school presented both Sisters with cards (signed by SJB students and staff) as well as special plaques with words of appreciation on March 4, which was also the school’s annual Sports Day. Both women have dedicated years of service and love into uplifting the lives of at-risk Jamaican youth. They are deeply cherished by the school and local community. As of last year, Sister Mimi no longer works in Jamaica in a full-time capacity but she will continue to visit and is still responsible for overseeing St. John Bosco’s sponsorship programme and donor engagement.
In the words of Sister Susan:
“After 30 wonderful years as nurse and caregiver to hundreds of boys in the residential programme at St. John Bosco, Sr. Mimi finally hung up her “nurses” hat along with all the other “hats” she wore during her time at St. John Bosco. We were blessed to have Mimi be continuously on call for little and big emergencies for our 150 boys. She also did a job which is crucial to the boys’ futures. She obtained for them their birth certificate, passport, bank account, and other government documents needed to be able to transact business for themselves when they left our care. This alone, not to mention what she did directly with the boys, is a mammoth job.
Mimi may not be physically present to us all the time but be sure that her “spirit” will always be here.”
Apart from being the Executive Director of SJB, Sister Susan also serves as the Area Administrator for the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica. Her leadership has been invaluable. Beyond this, Sister Susan was honoured by students at the Alpha Infant School. Students pulled on their artistic skills to create a beautiful poster thanking Sister for all she does.
