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An open heart for everyone
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February 5, 2024Five hundred fifty years of service and dedication to the Lord: On World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, ten sisters of our diocese celebrated a jubilee anniversary. At the 9:30 Mass in Corpus Christi Cathedral, presided by Bishop Michel Mulvey, ten sisters were especially mentioned and honored because they had a big anniversary: one sister celebrated 75 years of her first profession (Sister Catherine Brehony, OVISS), two 70 years, one 60, four 50 years and one 15 years.
In his homily, Bishop Michael Mulvey explained how many people seek meaning in life today. The Jubilarians had found meaning in a person, “Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.” It means proclaiming the Gospel not so much in words but deeds: “Sisters, you have taken that step and proclaim the Gospel in whatever ministry you are serving.”
He reminded the faithful that Jesus has a heart for everyone: “If we don’t have a heart for everyone, we are not true followers of Jesus.” In consecrated ministry, caring for the sick, education, and helping those who live on the streets are all expressions of this open heart.
The three evangelical counsels – poverty, chastity, and obedience – are lived out by the consecrated women and men in a unique way: poverty, “to not amount wealth for yourself,” chastity, “to have a chaste heart that can embrace all those in need,” and obedience to love others more than ourselves and to follow the Holy Spirit. “Thank you for the gift of yourself, your life and your dedication,” said the Bishop.
After the mass, the sisters and consecrated lay women gathered for a reception with coffee and pastries in St. Joseph’s Hall to celebrate. Each jubilarian received a gift bag and took pictures to remember this particular moment.
The ten jubilarians of this year are:
Sr. Catherine Brehony, OVISS, 75 years
Sr. Colette Brehony, OVISS, 70 years
Sr. Camelia Herlihy, OVISS, 70 years
Sr. Elizabeth Close, OVISS, 60 years
Sr. Jacinta, ISSM, 50 years
Sr. Mary Kay, ISSM, 50 years
Sr. Rosario, OP, 50 years
Sr. Amor Maravilla Vigare, OP, 50 years
Sr. Rosalia Arricatt, SABS, 50 years
Sr. Rency Moonjely, SABS, 25 years
