In Memoriam

We Remember

Sister Jamie Phelps, OP

Sister Jamie Phelps, OP (1941-2025)

We remember and cherish Jamie as an African American Christian Catholic woman, member of the Order of Preachers at Adrian, sister, aunt, theologian, scholar, friend, teacher, colleague, counselor, administrator; advocate for racial and social justice, for diversity, equity, inclusion, and unity; advocate for human dignity, freedom, and liberation; for spiritual, intellectual, and moral excellence; advocate for a Church that would be committed to living concretely the mystery of “communion” in the name of Jesus.

This powerful description of Sister Jamie Phelps came from Dr. M. Shawn Copeland, professor emerita of theology at Boston College and Sister Jamie’s longtime friend and collaborator, in the homily Dr. Copeland preached for a funeral Mass presided over by Cardinal Wilton Gregory and attended by many of those whose lives Sister Jamie had touched.

Jamie Theresa Phelps was born in Pritchard, Alabama, on October 24, 1941. She was the youngest daughter out of a total of six siblings – herself, sisters Alfreda and Marionette, and brothers William, Julius, and Alfred Jr. – born to Alfred and Emma (Brown) Phelps.

Alfred and Emma met while attending Alabama A&M College. Alfred was a Catholic and Emma a Methodist, but the two were married in the Catholic Church and the children were all raised Catholic.

Not long after Jamie’s birth, her parents decided to leave the segregated South for Chicago, and Alfred traveled there to pave the way for the move. He started a business that provided walk-in refrigerators for mom-and-pop grocery stores, and once that was well established Emma and the family’s four children at the time took a train to Chicago, where they lived in an apartment near Holy Name Cathedral.

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Note: To view recordings with closed captioning, they must be viewed on our public video library rather than through the links below.

Recording of Sister Jamie's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Jamie's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

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Fessahaye Mebrshtu last monthReply

Sr. Jamie was my professor, mentor and teacher to me and many. Here commitment to her Black Catholic faith and theological depth was examplar. We will miss her physically, but her legacy will continue for posterity as a giant of faith and intellectual rigor. She instilled in us, her students intellectual curiosities and cultural pride as God's creative expression. May she rest in peace.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P. last monthReply

Sr. Jamie was my MA advisor at CTU in Chicago. She was supportive of my studies. As a professor, many oof us thought she gave us a lot of work to do, but I appreciated her very much. As I remember, she was emphasized the concept of "communio," bringing people together. We will miss her. May she rest in peace.

Tagged With: Jamie Phelps, Sister Martin Thomas / 1966 Views

Cemetery of the Adrian Dominican Sisters

Our Adrian Dominican cemetery with its circular headstones is a beautiful place of rest for women who gave their lives in service to God — and a peaceful place for contemplation and remembrance.