“I admire the work you do. You are a blessing to me and to our diocese,” Bishop Edward Malesic told the vowed religious who gathered April 26 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership to celebrate their jubilees. The sisters, brothers and priests were marking 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 50 and 25 years of religious life. Of the 82 vowed religious celebrating their jubilees this year, about three dozen were able to attend. In total, they contributed 5,215 years of service during their years of religious life.
The bishop was joined by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost and several other concelebrants, including Father Don Oleksiak, vicar general, Father Joe Mamich, vicar for clergy and religious, and Father Andy Turner, president/rector of Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries.
(See photo gallery above.)
“Your life of selfless service continues to inspire me. Your witness inspires us to do better,” the bishop told the jubilarians. “I also admire how you’re grounded in prayer and devoted to Mary. She said to do whatever Jesus tells you, and you’ve done that. Despite the challenges of life, we don’t take our vocation for granted.”
He said it was a joy to celebrate with them. “Think of all the years of service and commitment you have,” he noted.
The bishop said he thinks of himself “as a (St. Pope) John Paul II priest and a (Pope) Francis bishop, since he was ordained during the pontificate of St. John Paul and was elevated to bishop by the late Pope Francis. The jubilee celebration was bittersweet, he said, “since our beloved pope was buried today.” He said he celebrated the Mass both for the late pope’s intentions and those of the jubilarians.
“Today, we were guided to the upper room of our seminary for this celebration,” the bishop said, recalling he consecrated Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd Chapel last summer for the service of God. “You, also, are consecrated to God. The work is hard. What kept you going wasn’t the money, but your faith in Jesus.”
Bishop Malesic asked why they wanted to pursue their vocation. “It’s a call,” he noted, saying he had a call to be a priest. Living in community as a member of a religious order can be challenging, he said. “But they are your community, your family, and they teach you things.”
He said he admires how the jubilarians “are grounded in prayer” and don’t take their vocations for granted. Even those who are retired from active ministry continue to make a contribution through the ministry of prayer.
“We draw strength from the Lord. We – I – need your witness. May you continue to grow closer to the heart of Jesus who wants to love you,” he added.
After Mass, each jubilarian received a special blessed candle for the Jubilee Year of Hope. They took a group photo with the bishops and enjoyed lunch afterward.
The event was coordinated by the Office for Clergy and Religious. Father Mamich, Sister Ingberta Tarimo, delegate for religious, Kate Kasik and Louise Triptow coordinated the celebration. Click here for a list of this year’s jubilarians.