Jubilarians honored at special Mass

Sisters celebrating years of service from the top row, left, are Sister Mary Stella Barrientes, IWBS, Sister Christina Bradley, IWBS and Sister Mary Lucy Garcia, IWBS with 70 years of service. Sisters with 60 years of service are Sister Denise Cassidy, IWBS and Sister Brenda Thompson, IWBS. With 50 years of service is Sister Mary Piedad, SSpSAP.  In second row are Sister Flaviana B. Macasling, OP, with 45 years of service and Sister Barbara Marie Netek, IWBS with 50 years of service. Sisters celebrating 25 years of service are Sister Mary Anne Boonsawang, SOLT, Sister Rose Paul Madassery, SABS, Sister Rosa Maria Ortiz, IWBS and Sister Jassamol Vimala Pallikizhakethil, SABS. Not pictured is Sister Mary Erlinda Pimo, ISSM who is celebrating 50 years of service.

Religious brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Corpus Christi were recognized at a special Mass on World Day for Consecrated Life observed at the Corpus Christi Cathedral on Jan. 28. Those present also renewed their commitment to serve the Lord and his people.

“You have responded to God’s word...to follow him exclusively,” Bishop Michael Mulvey said to the sisters and brothers in his homily. “To base your life not on the ways of our world, not on the ideology of our society, not on the passion trends that come and go...but you have found that the rock of your life...is Jesus Christ.”

Thirteen sisters were recognized for the time of their service. Among them were seven from the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. Sister Mary Stella Barrientes, IWBS, Sister Mary Lucy Garcia, IWBS and Sister Christina Bradley, IWBS celebrated 70 years in consecrated life. Sister Brenda Thompson, IWBS and Sister Denise Cassidy, IWBS, both celebrated 60 years of service; Sister Barbara Marie Netek, IWBS, 50 years; and Sister Rosa Maria Ortiz, IWBS, 25 years.

Sister Flaviana B. Macasling, OP has served 45 years, while Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Sister Rose Paul Madassery, SABS and Sister Jassamol Vimala Pallikizhakethil, SABS each celebrated 25 years in consecrated life. Sister Mary Piedad, SSpSAP (the Pink Sisters) is observing 50 years of service as is Sister Mary Erlinda Pimo, ISSM (Schoenstatt Sisters). Sister Mary Anne Boonsawang, SOLT is celebrating 25 years of service.

 “You are a witness that the things of God are greater than the things of this world,” Bishop Mulvey said, in thanking them for their “commitment and continued witness” and their “exclusive love of God.”

The Mass climaxed a weekend of celebration. The day before the Mass those in consecrated life got together at St. Pius X for a spirituality day presented by Father Albert Haase, OFM. Born in New Orleans, Father Haase said he has been called by the French pronunciation of his first name, “Al-bear” and laughs when he introduces himself and someone invariably thinks his last name is “Bear.” 

He calls himself an “itinerant preacher” of parish missions, retreats and spirituality workshops. For five years, from 2010-2015, he was co-host—with his sister, Sister Bridget Haase, OSU—of “Spirit and Life”, a show that aired every weekend on the Relevant Radio.