Motherhouse Celebrates Jubilees of Religious Profession

Sunday, August 20^th was a day of celebration for the Motherhouse Community. Sister Mary Kristin is celebrating her Golden Jubilee this year and Sister Marina her Silver Jubilee. We invited our Italian sisters to share in the joy and participate in the celebration. Among them were also three jubilarians: Sister Maria Antonietta and Sister Maria Lorenzia are celebrating their Diamond Jubilees and Sister Maria Benigna is celebrating her Golden Jubilee.

Father Giuseppe Cinà, MI, our chaplain, presided at our Mass at 10:30 a.m. In the entrance procession, each jubilarian carried a beautiful hand decorated candle crafted by Sister Maria Elke. During the Mass, these candles were placed in the sanctuary below the Coesfeld procession crucifix. The Liturgy was enhanced by extraordinary music provided by Sister Marie Catharina and a deeply meaningful homily by Father. After the homily, three sisters renewed their vows in Italian followed by two sisters renewing their vows in English.

The celebration continued with a festive dinner. At the conclusion of the meal a special cake was ceremoniously cut by the five jubilarians. Sister Mary Sreeja shared about each sister’s life in Notre Dame and what she had done over the years to serve the Church and fulfill the mission of the Congregation.  Then each jubilarian received the gift of an icon of Our Lady.

The members of the Motherhouse community presented a program consisting of a play which included song and dance followed by a beautiful prayer poem to Our Lady.
In the afternoon our Italian guests returned home, and we all agreed that it had been wonderful to be together again and to celebrate the many years of religious life of our sisters!

The Motherhouse community continued the celebration into the evening with a special pizza supper and more programs. The language students performed a second play and Sister Lory Inês enacted a dramatic poem.

The day concluded with a beautiful and lively Indian style dance by Sister Mary Supriya expressing the joy of the Magnificat. Everyone commented on what a great day it had been spending time together celebrating, relaxing and laughing.

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