​Magnifying the Lord and rejoicing in God our Savior

Posted by:

Catholic News Agency

Topics:

Magnifying the Lord and rejoicing in God our Savior

With praise and thanks to God, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Mary Immaculate Province (Salesians) joyfully celebrated the loving fidelity of their Sisters at a jubilee celebration at Our Lady of the Lake University Sacred Heart Chapel on July 17.

Auxiliary Bishop Gary Janak celebrated the festive liturgy which also included seven concelebrants from the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Franciscan, and Salesian communities.

During the Mass all of the Salesian Sisters present publicly renewed their vows together in the presence of God.

Ten 2021 jubilarians were honored. Recognized for their decades of ministry were 70 years: Sister Trinidad Reyes; 65 years: Sister Angelina Gomez, Sister Josefina Lopez, and Sister Josephine Sanchez; 60 years: Sister Margarita Hinojosa and Sister Mary Gloria Mar; 50 years: Sister Marie Gannon and Sister Josephine Ochoa; 40 years: Sister Ana Laura Palacios; 25 years: Sister Thuy Huong Nguyen.

2020 jubiliarians included 11 Salesian Sisters. Honored for their anniversaries from last year were 70 years: Sister Alice Fusco; 65 years: Sister Cecila Besi, Sister Carmen Nieto, Sister Antoinette Pollini, and Sister Rose Zanella; 60 years: Sister Silvia Castillo; 50 years: Sister Ann Cassidy and Sister Betty Ann Martinez; 40 years: Sister Helen Sebastian; 25 years: Sister Ignacia Carrillo and Sister Phuong Nguyen.

Prior to the conclusion of the liturgy each of the jubiliarians was presented a small clay lamp. Sister Sandra Nieves said just before the presentation, “A lighted lamp is a symbol of faithful watchfulness; we now present one to each of our Sisters. May the oil of gladness and the flame of charity continue to nourish their daily self-giving in the joyful certainty of God’s inexhaustible fidelity.”

As she distributed the lamps individually, Sister Rosann Ruiz, provincial, said, “May your lamp burn continuously before the Lord from evening to morning in everlasting thanksgiving.”