“Thank you for accepting the invitation to celebrate with me your years of religious service,” Bishop Edward Malesic told the vowed religious who attended the April 27 event at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe.
The religious sisters, brothers and priests invited to the diocesan celebration were from congregations ministering throughout the eight-county diocese. They marked milestone anniversaries with their religious orders for 75, 70, 60, 50 and 25 years of ministry.
(See photo gallery above.)
The bishop told the group how a religious sister was instrumental in his vocation, asking him if he had ever considered the priesthood. His response was no, “but the seed had been planted. Those seeds grow, they turn into plants and they bloom.” He said a sister also helped him become an effective campus minister.
“I see you as partners in ministry,” he said to the jubilarians, most of whom were religious sisters. “You are living images of the Gospel. You inspire me.”
He also expressed his appreciation for the sacrifices they made for Jesus, their communities and themselves during their ministry. “You led remarkable lives of celebration and service to Jesus and the Church. A jubilee is a momentous thing in the life of the Church. These milestones are important and should be celebrated,” the bishop said, noting next year will be a jubilee year for the Church and will be celebrated in Rome.
As they discerned their vocations and perhaps at various times in their ministry, Bishop Malesic said the religious may have faced periods of confusion. “But you found peace, you found one another and you found a home with your community. God called you to your community to live with those who might sometimes annoy you and who inspire you,” he said, reminding them that their religious communities are families and every family has disagreements or conflict from time to time.
“You show Jesus to us. The face of God is love. Each day while responding to God’s call, you move toward heaven and encounter people on the way. You announce Jesus as living witnesses,” the bishop said. He told them to think of all the people whose lives they’ve touched during their ministry.
“You probably don’t even realize how many people’s lives you’ve touched, but they remember you. Never take your vocation for granted,” he added. “Even those no longer in active ministry are still valuable as they hold us up in prayer and give witness to the suffering of Christ as they face and deal with old age and health issues.”
The bishop reminded the jubilarians to always move forward, because as one part of their lives ends, another replaces it. “Jesus is constantly leading us and opening new doors for us.”
They have forged tremendous legacies in the diocese, he told the group. And he encouraged the seminarians attending the liturgy to look to the sisters as examples of people who gave their lives to Christ in a lifetime commitment.
“So many people are afraid of commitment, especially a commitment to Jesus. But you show us there’s no need to be afraid. Pray that God will lead more young people to consider a vocation to consecrated religious life – a call they might not hear. And pray for a removal of spiritual earwax so they can hear the call and commit,” the bishop added.
Concelebrating the Mass were Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, Father Andy Turner, president/rector of Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries, Father Eric Garris, diocesan vocation director, Father Joe Mamich, secretary for clergy and religious, Father Don Oleksiak, vicar general, Father David Bline, seminary spiritual director, Father Mick Joyce, OFM Cap, seminary professor, and two jubilarian priests, Father Caroli Shao, AJ and Father Isaiah Bugaku, AJ. Assisting were Deacon Kyle Rosser and Deacon Ryan Arto, who were ordained as transitional deacons on April 13. Father Chris Trenta, a seminary professor, served as the bishop’s master of ceremonies.
After Mass, each jubilarian received a gift of appreciation from the diocese. They also posed for a group photo with the bishops and enjoyed a special lunch.
Those celebrating significant jubilees this year are listed below by years of ministry.
75 years: Sister Helen Skok, SSJ-TOST; Sister Eileen Fitzgerald, SIW; Sister Roselle Lesinski, SSJ-TOSF; Sister Dorothy Turk, CSJ; Sister Joan of Arc Walsh, SIW and Sister Mary Elle Ryan, SIW.
70 years: Sister Mary Ann Flannery, SC; Sister MaryLou Wojtusik, SSJ-TOSF; Sister Madeleine Rybicki, CSFN; Sister Ruth Ann Auckley, OSU; Sister Corita Ambro, CSJ; Sister Mary Alice Slowey, SND; Sister Margaret Kerr, SND; Sister Mary Ann Sullivan, CSJ; Sister Mary Hough, CSJ; Sister Mary Anne Glaser, SND; Sister Mary Rochelle Walter, SND; Sister Mary Francismarie Seiler, SND; and Sister Rose Tassinari, MPF.
60 years: Sister Dorothy Ann Blatnica, SC; Sister Joyce Soukup, SSJ-TOSF; Sister Marilyn Ambrosic, OP; Sister Ritamary Welsh, OSU; Sister Sandy LaPorto, SSJ-TOSF; Sister Sheila Marie Tobbe, OSU; Sister Diane Therese Pinchot, OSU; Father Paul Bernier, SSS; Sister Sally Dulak, SSJ-TOSF; Sister Bernadette Kamin, OCD; Sister Carla Murar, OSU; Sister Diane Stano, OSU; Sister Margaret Mary McAuliffe, SIW; Father John Keenan, SSS: Brother Gary LaVerdiere, SSS; Sister Cheryl Keehner, CSA; Sister Mary Barbara Knuff, SND; Sister Mary Cecilia Liberator, SND; Sister Catherine McConnell, HM; Sister Mary Virginia Andes, SND; Sister Mary Judith Ann Sabau, SND; Sister Marilyn Zgonc, SND; Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA; Sister Cheryl Rose, HM; Sister Mary Anne Philomena Grady, SND; Sister Mary Antoinette Dershaw, SND; Sister Mary Teresa Sharp, SND; Sister Mary Catherine Caine, SND and Sister Jane Nesmith, SBS.
50 years: Sister Mary Jennifer Kramer, SND; Sister Mary Rose Falorio, SND; Sister Mary Catherine O’Malley, SND; Sister Mary Kathleen Ruddy, SND; Sister Mary Margaret Kozlowski, SND; and Brother Philip Petrow, OSB.
25 years: Father Isaiah Bugaku, AJ; Father Caroli Shao, AJ; and Father Raymond P. Guiao, SJ.