During this Year of Consecrated Life, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity celebrated the 75th Diamond Jubilee of 5 years: Sister St. Agnes Stuttgen, Sister St. Francis Wenzel, Sister Juliana Weber, Sister Cecelia Byrns and Sister Mary Grace Micke. Find here Community Director Sister Natalie Binversie’s breakfast remarks.
A festive good morning to Our Sister Jubilarians and to all the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity! How blest we are to celebrate this 5th Sunday of the Easter Season with you, Sister Cecilia, Sister Juliana, Sister Mary Grace, Sister St. Agnes and Sister St. Francis!
As always, the Scripture readings for today’s Mass are very appropriate for this celebration. In the first reading we will hear of Paul’s conversion in the Acts of the Apostles. After he encountered the risen Lord, Paul was fearless in witnessing to the Lord at work in and through him. We look to you, Sister Jubilarians, under the title of Our Lady of Good Counsel and know that you have also deepened your relationship with Our Lord in these past 75 years. You have been faithful in living the vowed commitment of the Consecrated Life. Your daily prayer brought about your own personal conversion. Thank you for being God’s faithful witnesses as Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity.
St. Francis of Assisi would say, “Preach always and when necessary use words.” That is the message of the second reading for the Mass this afternoon. Saint John’s first letter states, “Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”
The Gospel that will be proclaimed from St. John is the story of the Vine and the Branches. The message is a reminder of what you have learned over the years, Jesus is the central source of life and nourishment found in receiving the Eucharist daily. The ones who live in Jesus will produce abundantly. We take this opportunity to again thank you for the ways you have enriched the lives of others with Jesus over the years. You have touched countless lives in your service to the Community, the Church and the world.
We also remember on this day of celebration our Sister Jubilarians who have completed their earthly journey and are with our Lord:
Sister Rosalie Hunt+1971, Sister Margaret Schneider+1975, Sister La Verne Fitzgibbons+1986, Sister Tarcisius Mayer+1993, Sister Therese Poquette+1997, Sister Dolores Rentmeesters+2000, Sister Martha Mary O’Dronic+2003, Sister Ernestine Kerch+2003, Sister Oliver Allard+2006, Sister St. Barbara Haen+2007, Sister Benigna Stoffel+2008, Sister Irene Clare King+2010, Sister Hilda Hersant+2011, Sister St. Louis Chouinard+2013. Eternal rest grant to them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen! We ask each of them to continue to intercede for our Community.
There is one more announcement before we enjoy this special breakfast. In honor of your 75th Jubilee the Community has made a donation to Catholic Relief Services in your name for the recovery efforts in Nepal’s recent earthquake.
May Our Lady of Good Counsel continue to be a model to follow Jesus whole-heartedly. Sisters, enjoy this day with your Sisters in Community, your family and friends! God has indeed blessed us in and through each of you.
