On Monday, August 17th, at 10:30 AM, a Jubilee Mass was celebrated in the auditorium of Notre Dame Welfare Center to honor the Golden Jubilee of Sister Ancilla Maria and the Silver Jubilees of Sister Marie Oh-song, Sister Marie Karolin, and Sister Marie Julian. The Mass was celebrated by Father John Tae Sik Jang from the Diocese of Incheon.
In his homily, Father Jang stated, “Just as the message in Mutant Message Down Under (a book on Australian Aboriginal wisdom) reminds us that we celebrate not because we grow older, but because we grow better. I believe this occasion provides an opportunity to congratulate and celebrate our sisters who are marking their Golden and Silver Jubilees, honoring their journey of discovering their identity as religious women and expressing gratitude for their communities throughout their years of religious life.
In today’s Gospel, the rich young man walked away because there was something he could not give up to follow Jesus. However, I ask sisters to remember and strive to live for the religious community in the days ahead.” He then shared words from Pope Leo: “We must not act as though we are already complete, nor should we guide the world assuming we know everything. The Church and religious communities are meant to stand on the road, drawing a map of hope together with the world.”
Following the Mass, lunch and a celebration were held at the Provincial House refectory. Everyone shared moments of laughter and gratitude while enjoying the festive program prepared by the sisters and watching a video depicting the jubilarians’ life journeys.
We pray that God’s blessings will always be with these sisters, who have consecrated their lives looking to “God Alone.”
