by Sr. Dolores Marie | Aug 15, 2021 | Events
August 14 was the final day of the 100th year since we were founded by Servant of God Mother Mary Teresa Tallon. We had many plans to celebrate this year, however, God had different ones. At Marycrest Bishop Edmund Whalen, Father John Paul CFR, Fr. Mario Esposito, O. Carm., Fr. Chris Argano, Fr. Jack Arlotta and Fr. Killian McCaffrey celebrated a Mass to mark the occasion. It was attended by Marycrest Associates and two of Mother Foundress’ living relatives. God provided a beautiful day, after the threat of rain.
The next day, August 15, we began our 101st year! A number of the Sisters attended the 10:15 Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Mother Maria Catherine spoke briefly after communion and two of the Sisters, Sister Mary Josita and Sister Maria Arlene, did the readings at Mass. This is the link to view it: https://youtu.be/jBz9YCtKP1U
Please pray for us as we strive to continue to remain faithful to the original vocation and the contemplative-missionary charism given to Servant of God Mother Mary Teresa Tallon. May God send us many more vocations so that we may continue to fulfill our mission in the Church!
by Sr. Dolores Marie | Jul 9, 2021 | Newsletter
Sr. Jhoan Marie and Sr. Mary Imelda professed their perpetual vows on June 24. What a beautiful occasion! Before family, friends and Parish Visitor Sisters, they vowed chastity, poverty and obedience and promised to observe these vows faithfully. The white crowns signify the crown of eternal life promised for faithfulness to their vows
They also received a crucifix ring, signifying their betrothal to Jesus, as well as a mission crucifix. The mission crucifix is given with these words: Accept this crucifix, as a sign of your perpetual dedication to Jesus Crucified, that united to Him you may become a willing holocaust for the redemption of the most abandoned souls.
Let us take a little journey over the years with them. Their first step in religious life was the postulancy, a time of transition into religious life.
The novitiate followed. There was much to learn about religious life, about the Parish Visitors, about Jesus, and so much more. They prayed, studied, shared in duties, and there was fun as well!
As time went on, they made first profession of vows, took a greater part in our apostolate, and deepened their love of God and of His people.
This is part of the prayer of consecration over the newly final professed Sisters:
Lord, may the glory of baptism and holiness of life shine in their hearts.
Strengthened by the vows of their consecration, may they be always one with You, in loving fidelity to Christ, their only Bridegroom.
May they cherish the Church as their mother, and love the whole world as God’s creation,
Teaching all people to look forward in joy and hope to the good things of heaven.
When they come at last to the throne of Christ the King, may they…hear the voice of their Bridegroom lovingly inviting them to the wedding feast of heaven.
Wouldn’t you like to be one with us in our beautiful vocation as contemplative-missionary Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate?
With blessings for your discernment,
Sister Dolores Marie
by Sr. Dolores Marie | Jul 2, 2021 | Events
Sister Carole Marie Troskowski, former general superior of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, celebrated her 60th anniversary on July 2. Sister grew up in Albany, New York and had been active in the Legion of Mary before entering the convent.
The Sisters, as well as a number of her family members, were happy to share this special day with her. May she have many more happy and fruitful years as a Parish Visitor!
by Sr. Dolores Marie | Jun 1, 2021 | Events
This date was the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the Sisters of Life, a community which was founded by Cardinal O’Connor at our motherhouse, Marycrest, in Monroe, NY. Bishop Edmond Whelan offered a special anniversary Mass for them, preceded by a Holy Hour and fellowship. After the Mass the two communities had a festive meal together.
Two Parish Visitors were formation directors for the Sisters of Life during their first year, while the Sisters of Life lived at our motherhouse before moving to the Bronx. One of the photos pictures shows Sr. Rita-Mairelenes, one of the formation directors, with some of the Sisters.
by Sr. Dolores Marie | May 25, 2021 | Newsletter
May is the month of Our Lady, a time of honoring her with special prayer, May crownings, and so on. Here at Marycrest, our motherhouse, the Sisters had a May crowning of Mary, and on another day a group of girls crowned Our Lady at our grotto.
These young girls have been meeting with our novices monthly for further growth in their faith, and over the past year this could only be done by zoom. How great to be able finally to be with them in person!
First Communions are always special times, especially Communions of children, teens or adults whom we have instructed. To prepare someone to receive Jesus is a very special privilege!
Here is Sr. Alina Marie with one of the First Communicants in her parish.
In other parishes we have often helped poor children prepare for the big day with dresses, shoes, ties, and so on. Of course the interior preparation is the most important, but the children also remember gratefully the attention we give to these external things.
Springtime is a time of planting and of new growth, and I’d like to share with you a reflection on Jesus’ parable of the sower and the seed (Mt. 13:4-23).
Some seed fell on the path and the birds ate it. Some fell on rocky ground. Some was choked by thorns and thistles. And some fell on good soil and yielded a very good harvest.
How beautiful when the seed, which is the Word of God, produces a bountiful harvest!
In our visitation of families, we are spreading God’s word. (Of course we’ve been hampered by COVID this past year, but hopefully before long we’ll get back to normal.)
In some people the thorns and rocks prevent the seed from flourishing, but other people actually tell us, “Wow, I never imagined that a Sister from the Church would come to visit me.” Or, “God must still be interested in me, He sent you to my door.” And good things happen!
And there are times when the results come later and we don’t see them. A priest once told one of our Sisters, “Sister, you don’t know how much good you’re doing. I can’t give you any details, but I see it in confession.”
However, what if no one answers the call to sow the seeds, that is, to go out to the people to tell them about Jesus and His Church? How then can the seed grow to harvest?
The people need someone to remind them of Jesus, to encourage them, to invite them to return. Are you the one they’re waiting for?
We can also apply this same story of the sower and the seed to discerning a vocation.
When Jesus calls, sometimes rocky ground–noise and distraction–blocks it out.
Sometimes the thorns–my fears and anxieties–choke it.
Sometimes the pleasures of the world drown it out.
And sometimes the answer is “yes!”
Which one applies to you? What kind of soil are you for His call?
May God bless you and guide you in your discernment!
Sister Dolores Marie