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Sisters celebrate milestones
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February 9, 2023
The Diocese of Corpus Christi celebrated World Day of Consecrated Life with Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Mulvey at Corpus Christi Cathedral on Feb. 5. During the Mass, those in consecrated life renewed their commitment, and jubilarians celebrating anniversaries ranging in length from 25-75 years were be acknowledged with gratitude.
A small reception followed the Mass in the cathedral hall; each sister was presented with a bouquet and a small gift. The event was coordinated by Sister Marie Claire Strasser from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT).
When asked what the biggest blessing of her vocation thus far has been, Sister Agatha Duraso, MDPVM ( 50th jubilee), responded, “Community life in Jesus, of course! The happiest day of my life is when I entered and made my offering. I’ve been the happiest person in my religious life because I have Jesus with me.” Sister Maria Elizabeth Brehony, IWBS, through 70 years as a religious, said her greatest blessing is “to know I’m loved by God and show other people God's love for them.” The flame of passion for Christ, though lit several years ago, still burns bright.
Sister Mary of our Divine Savior, SOLT, was one of the jubilarians celebrating 25 years. “I love the ecclesial family team with the three vocations: priests, sisters and laity. And how it’s a Marian and Trinitarian spirituality,” she said.
During the bishop’s homily, she had a moment to thank God for His faithfulness in keeping her on the road of her vocation: “He’s been with me all the way.” Sister Mary reflected on how her religious life was made challenging by the culture she grew up in. She recalled childhood memories of the institution of Roe vs. Wade and how the public school system was steeped in atheism and secularism. “I had a conversion at the age of 12 through the Bible,” she said. If not for that, she would have been swayed by her peers: “I don’t know what would have happened to me.” That conversion was the beginning of growing in her faith and the first of many conversions—turning points, causing Sister Mary and her contemporaries to become faithful brides of Christ.
Among the eleven sisters celebrating, three are from Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament (IWBS): Sister Christina Bradley (75 years), Sister Maria Elizabeth Brehony (70 years) and Sister Michelle Marie Kuntscher (60 years).
Sisters celebrating 50 years are Sister Agueda Durazo Barcelo from the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary (MDMPVM) and Sister Elizabeth Pathiparamil from the Sisters of the Adoration and Blessed Sacrament (SABS).
Celebrating 25 years will be Sisters from the Pax Christi Institute (PCI). They are Sister Mercedez Martinez Orozco, Sister Cleotilde Resendiz Loredo, and Sister Gloria Salinas Gonzalez. Sister Tereasa Jose Panattuparamban, SABS and Sister JoeMary Kallarackal, SABS, will also be celebrating 25 years and Sister Mary of our Divine Savior from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT).
World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, established by Pope John Paul II is celebrated on Feb. 2. It is also the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, a day in which candles are blessed, symbolizing the Light of Christ.
Men and Women in consecrated life are called to spread the light and love of Jesus to the world. In his apostolic exhortation Vita Consacrata, He gave three main reasons for the institution of this day: “to thank the Lord for the great gift of consecrated life,” “to promote knowledge of and esteem for the consecrated life,” and finally so that “the consecrated persons themselves can celebrate the marvels which the Lord has accomplished in them and acquire a more vivid consciousness of their irreplaceable mission in the Church and the world.”Photos by Jessica Rohr | for STC
Sixty sisters from around the Diocese of Corpus Christi gathered for a Spirituality Day filled with talks, Mass, adoration and fellowship on Feb. 4 at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Guest speaker was Claire Dwyer, author of This Present Paradise, who gave a presentation about St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. The event was sponsored by the Serra Club of the diocese whose mission is to foster vocations to religious life. For more information on answering God’s call or joining the Serra Club call (361) 882-6191, ext. 604.Photos by Adel Sauceda | STC