Remarkable women - a remarkable day

     This afternoon in a special Liturgy celebrated by Bishop William Winter of Pittsburgh at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensburg, the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, the U.S. Province, celebrated their 2011 Jubilee Celebration, honoring eight Golden and one Silver Jubilarians.  I had the privilege of being present.  It was a joyous celebration.

     Sister Vivien Linkhauer, Provincial Superior, in welcoming us, shared statistics about this group.  In addition to the four hundred twenty-five years of Religious Life, the stats were outstanding.  These are remarkable women!  The Golden Jubilarians are: Sister Mary Elizabeth McCauley, Sister Catherine Meinert, Sister Kathleen McCauley, Sister Donna Marie Leiden, Sister Patricia Laffey, Sister Judith Marie McKenna, Sister Mary Jo Mutschler and Sister Bernadette Manning.  The Silver Jubilarian is Sister Rachel Blais.

     Their Renewal of Vows along with all the Sisters present, read:

In response to God's call to follow Christ more closely,

I, Sister ___________, vow to God chastity, poverty and obedience for life

according to the Constitutions of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill.

By this consecration I unite myself with this religious congregation

and its mission.  I ask the grace of the Holy Spirit

and the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary that, faithful to this consecration,

I may strive for perfect charity

in the service of God and the Church.

     It was a powerful and moving proclamation of faith and commitment.  The theme for the gathering was:

Sisters of Charity

are called to live in

HUMILITY

SIMPLICITY

CHARITY

and to remember that

God is ever present.

     Sister Kathleen McCauley whom I have worked with and known for years shared these thoughts on the final page of the program.  I'm sure she would not mind me mentioning them here.

Gift of Love

The call was heard

in the depths of our hearts ...

our Yes faltering ... yet sure

united us in prayer ... community ...

friendship ... and ministry ...

woven with the threads of

humility ... simplicity ... charity

into the tapestry of our

vowed life as

Sisters of Charity

to be God's presence ... to find

God's presence ...

wherever we are!

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     This was for me a day of sharing with Religious Women.  At the three Masses this weekend Sister Gratia Kuttianickal and her companion, Sister Ann, religious women of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate, spoke to our parish family regarding their work in India and Africa, as well as their mission in our own diocese.  Their visit was part of the yearly Mission Co-operative Appeal held in each parish of the diocese.  As I reminded everyone at Mass, it has not been that long since we in the United States were considered "mission territory".  Today we help bring the Gospel to all parts of the world and to all peoples through our prayerful and financial support.  As the Sisters shared their mission, it became clear that they, too, are remarkable women ... and the church is truly blessed.