CHARLESTON—Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone celebrated Mass at May Forest in thanksgiving for the faithful service of two Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy: Sister Marie Amelia Ferillo, 70 years and Sister Carmelita Boyd, 60 years.
Sister Marie Amelia, who entered the convent in 1943, was born in Charleston to Angelo M. Ferillo and Amelia Traynor Ferillo. A graduate of Bishop England High School, she received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore, Md, and a bachelor’s in philosophy from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Sister Marie Amelia also did graduate studies in theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and in philosophy at Catholic University.
A longtime educator, she taught Latin and Spanish at Bishop England High School for 29 years. She also taught in elementary schools and in catechetical programs in South Carolina and New Jersey.
She worked with the Hispanic community on Johns Island for 24 years, and has been part of Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach since its founding in 1989.
In 2006, she received the Woman Religious Award from the South Carolina Council of Catholic Women.
Sister Carmelita Boyd, who entered the convent in 1953, was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to Francis J. and Elizabeth Ayres Boyd. A graduate of St. Agnes High School in New York, she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., and a MAT degree in elementary education from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. Sister Carmelita also attended the Citadel in Charleston, and has her certification in pastoral leadership and development.
Sister Carmelita taught in elementary schools in South Carolina and New Jersey for over 30 years and was a principal for several years. She also served as pastoral assistant in several parishes in the diocese and volunteers as a religion teacher at Nativity School. She continues to visit the sick and shut-ins.