This past weekend, we had a big party! Every year, we gather at our Motherhouse to celebrate the special anniversaries of our Sisters. This year’s Jubilarians are:
Celebrating 70 Years
Sister Anita Marie DaCosta & Sister Aileen Doroles McGrath
Celebrating 60 Years
Sister Theresa Ahern & Sister Jeanne Margaret Denny
Celebrating 50 Years
Sister Sylvia Griglak, Sister Mary Ann Henagan,
Sister Ellen Kieran & Sister Geraldine Whelan
Our documents emphasize in many places the importance of supporting one another in community, not simply in prayer, but by spending time together. A “vibrant faith community,” as one passage puts it, doesn’t come about if all we do is work all the time! The very last Article in our Rule of Life even has a sort of footnote which states “there will be an annual Jubilee celebration held at the Motherhouse.” So, there is no question about it, part of good, healthy religious life is celebrating together!
Whenever possible, we celebrate our Jubilee on Trinity Sunday. The Jubilarians gather the day before the big mass for a special retreat day, which gives them an opportunity to reflect and share together on their lives as Missionary Servants. The mass on Trinity Sunday is usually packed as friends and family of the Jubilarians travel from far and wide for the big day. Just before mass, they process in wearing their finest attire and big smiles. And after mass, we all go down to the hall for a banquet.
Look at this photograph of the 2017 Jubilarians. Imagine the cumulative years of service they have provided for the poor and the spiritually abandoned in our many far-flung missions. They are truly a power for good! And they haven’t finished yet!
