The weather outside was frightful – literally – as Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost prepared for vespers during the 50th anniversary celebration for the Missionary Congregation of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary on June 14.
Strong wind and heavy rain struck shortly before the liturgy started in Our Lady of Peace Church near Cleveland’s Shaker Square. Electricity flickered on and off in the church several times but stayed on during vespers.
The indigenous African congregation of religious women missionaries was established in 1976 in Uganda by two Italian missionaries: Bishop Siuxtus Mazzoldi, MCCJ and Father John Marengoni, MCCJ. The sisters, who number nearly 500 now, have served in Uganda since their founding. Their ministry has grown to include service in a dozen other countries in Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and North America. They have been in the United States since 2010, ministering in the Diocese of Cleveland since 2014, mainly in parish work, education and as chaplains.
In 1968, also in Uganda, Bishop Mazzoldi and Father Marengoni founded the sisters’ “brother congregation,” the Apostles of Jesus, an order of missionary priests who arrived in the U.S. in 1996 and also have a presence in the Diocese of Cleveland, where they also serve in parish work and as hospital chaplains. Some of the priests attended the celebration.
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The sisters, including their zonal superior Sister Elizabeth and Sister Jacinta, one of the founding members of the congregation, processed in carrying a large photo of the congregation’s founders, followed by Father Gary Chmura, Our Lady of Peace pastor, and Bishop Woost.
Vespers included hymns, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, prayer, a Scripture reading, a homily, petitions and the Magnificat, sung in Swahili by the sisters.
Bishop Woost’s homily offered thanks to God “for 50 years of grace and blessings bestowed upon the members of the Missionary Congregation of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary … Thank you for your presence among us … Thank you for your commitment to your religious vocation … Thank you for your mission and ministry in our Church,” he said.
“Sisters, you are one of they great works of the Lord. Each of you individually and all of you as a missionary congregation are one of God’s greatest works … We must give praise and thanks to God for you,” the bishop said. “By witness of their lives and the work of their hands, the sisters uphold the human dignity of each person whom they meet and to whom they minister. For 50 years, the sisters have fulfilled their mission faithfully, joyfully and lovingly,” he said adding, “Sisters, with all our hearts, we thank God … for your holy mission, your selfless ministry, your faithful witness and your joyful presence among us.”
As vespers concluded, the sisters sang another song in Swahili before processing out with the clergy. They posed for photos with the bishop and the group then gathered in the parish hall for a reception.