First woman in New England and one of the first five nationwide to serve as chancellor of an archdiocese, the highest position in the Roman Catholic Church that can be held by a woman.

Born and raised in Stamford , Mary Louise Feeney discovered her religious vocation while a student at Sacred Heart Academy . Sister Helen Margaret, as she is now known, entered a convent in 1937 inspired by the vibrant personality of one of her teachers who “radiated Christ” and by the experience of portraying Sister Bernadette in a school play. She earned her B.A. at the Diocesan Sisters College and her M.Ed. at Boston College . She also holds a Sixth Year Certificate in professional education and administration from the University of Connecticut .

In her twenty-five years of teaching elementary and high school students, Sister Helen Margaret worked in Hartford , Stratford , Shelton , Bristol , New Haven , and Waterbury . Before being named the first female assistant superintendent for the archdiocese schools in 1978, Sister Helen Margaret headed the Waterbury parochial schools as part of a pilot program in regional superintendency. In 1986 Sister Helen Margaret became the Chancellor of the Hartford Archdiocese, twenty years after Vatican II opened this leadership position to women. In her eight years as chancellor she became known as a decisive and fair supporter of both parishioners and priests.

She spearheaded a complete modernization of the chancery building and offices, overseeing the introduction of computers and the construction of a new entrance designed to make visitors feel welcome. Though her primary mission was to create a true “community of faith,” Sister Helen Margaret understood the importance of attending to salaries, work schedules and vacations so that individuals might feel appreciated and rewarded. She also established the Archdiocese's first archives.

Sister Helen Margaret was named the Archbishop's delegate for special needs in 1994, a position which includes her membership on the boards of many major Catholic organizations. In 1993 she received the highest honor for service to the Church, “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice,” granted by Pope John Paul II.