When I was growing up in New York City, my family didn’t give thanks before we ate. My mother, the head of our secular Jewish household, would go unusually quiet and serious. “Let us say grace,” she’d start in a low voice, and my brother and I would seize the cue. He might say, “Grace Kelly.” I’d add, “Grace Jones” or “Grace Slick,” depending on the kind of music I was into at the time. So I didn’t know much about the whole business of preprandial blessings — until I met Sister Agnes Rooney.

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Persons: ”, “ Grace Kelly, “ Grace Jones ”, Grace Slick, “ Gracie Allen, ” Ma, —, Sister Agnes Rooney Locations: New York City