Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Community Director Sister Natalie Binversie reflects on the 60th Anniversaries of Profession of our Sisters this year. She shares her thoughts.
Good morning on this 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time! Today, however, is not ordinary. We are here to celebrate the 60th Jubilee of the “Tribunes of the Trinity.” Congratulations to Sister Alice Marie Hickok, Sister Carol Mathe, Sister Dorothy Wagner, Sister June Smith, Sister Mary Ann Nugent, Sister Mary Gabriel Van Dreel, Sister Mary Stephen Keller and Sister Maryanne Froehlich. We also remember Sister Mary Hale (1995), Sister Margie Traeger (2016) and Sister Judith Norwick (2019) who are celebrating with us from their eternal home in heaven. We pray that they continue to intercede for the Tribunes of the Trinity!
60 years of Community Life and Ministry hold many memories for each of you. The Gospel reading from St. Luke, for our Eucharistic Liturgy this afternoon, is appropriate for this celebration. We will hear about Jesus appointing 72 Disciples whom He sent ahead of Him in pairs, to every town and place that He intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals…..whatever house you enter, say, ‘Peace to this household.”
On August 15, 1959 when you professed your First Vows, the graces that you needed were given to you to be “Tribunes of the Trinity.” You used your gifts and talents to uphold and defend what was asked of you through the witness of and living out of your Vows. The 72 Disciples were skeptical about the ability Christ gave them to bestow peace, to cure the sick and to confront challenges that came into their lives. You may have had times of doubt, however, you can testify to God’s merciful love that made the seemingly impossible come to be possible in your life and in your ministry over and over again. May you know this peace in your heart!
In the name of your Sisters, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, congratulations, Sister Jubilarians! With the Psalmist we “shout joyfully to God and sing praise to the glory of His name.” We thank God for each of you and the deeds and blessings that have been done in and through you these 60 years.
