By Teri Tynes, Communications Associate

Congratulations to our sisters who celebrated their 65th and 70th Jubilees at Mass on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. The annual celebration, held on the same day as the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, commemorates the journey of the sisters in their lives of faith and service. Sisters from Mount Saint Vincent Convent had the privilege of celebrating their jubilee at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, the first Mass celebrated by the Congregation in the Chapel since the outbreak of COVID-19.

Celebrating their 65th anniversary were Sisters Helen Bryant, Kathryn McDermott, Patricia Morgan and Catherine Walsh. Celebrating their 70th anniversary were Sisters Jeanne Delaney, Aileen Kelly, Rita Nowatzki, Mary O’Brien, Rosemary Petrucelli and Marie Tolle.

While the September 8 feast day kept with tradition, the ceremony this year in 2020 required public safety precautions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The sisters donned protective masks, and they sat farther apart in the chapel than customary, maintaining the required social distances. The Jubilarians wore the traditional corsages of fresh flowers on their right wrists, echoing the arrangement of pink roses and lavender flowers at the base of the altar.

Sr. Dorothy Metz, Assistant to the President, welcomed the Congregation on behalf of Sister Donna Dodge and the Leadership Team. Rev. Brian McCarthy, pastor of Saint Margaret of Cortona Church, offered the Mass. April Boone, Director of Pastoral Services, assisted at the mass, and Sister Rita Nowatzki served as lector.

In his homily, Rev. McCarthy praised the Sisters for being an image of Mary and thanked them for their service and devotion. He concluded his remarks by reciting the lines from “Mary the Dawn,” written by Fr. Justin Mulcahy, CP.

Mary the dawn, Christ the Perfect Day;
Mary the gate, Christ the Heavenly Way!
Mary the root, Christ the Mystic Vine;
Mary the grape, Christ the Sacred Wine!
Mary the wheat, Christ the Living Bread;
Mary the rose tree, Christ the Rose blood-red!
Mary the font, Christ the Cleansing Flood;
Mary the cup, Christ the Saving Blood!
Mary the temple, Christ the temple’s Lord;
Mary the shrine, Christ the God adored!
Mary the beacon, Christ the Haven’s Rest;
Mary the mirror, Christ the Vision Blest!
Mary the mother, Christ the mother’s Son
By all things blest while endless ages run. Amen.

Sisters Celebrate at Other Retirement Homes

Sisters at Kittay Senior Apartments started Jubilee Day with a Mass offered by Fr. Michael Ramos, OFM, Cap. Mass was followed by a special lunch consisting of various Chinese food dishes and cake from Delite Bakery. Sr. Ellen Quirke celebrated 75 years and Sr. Eileen T. Kelly celebrated 65 years.

Sisters at St. Patrick Villa in Nanuet celebrated Jubilee Day on Wednesday evening, September 9; Mass was offered by Fr. Tony Ferrer. Sr. Anita Lavelle celebrated 70 years, Sr. Connie Kelly and Sr. Jean Iannone celebrated 65 years and Sr. Anna Roche celebrated 60 years. The Mass was followed by a festive dinner.

We extend blessings, congratulations, and our sincere gratitude to our celebrating sisters for all they have given and all continue to give, and for living lives of love for all in need, especially those living in poverty.

60th Anniversary
Sister Eileen Fagan
Sister Maria Iglesias
Sister Frances Keegan
Sister Nancy Kellar
Sister Florence Mallon
Sister Terese McElroy
Sister Marie Morris
Sister Patricia Noone
Sister Margaret M. O’Brien
Sister Anna Roche
Sister Carol Ruf
Sister Virginia Searing
Sister Mary Tommasino