This year commemorates the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima. We had an evening of prayer at our motherhouse, and it included an outdoor procession with the image of Our Lady of Fatima, Exposition, a talk, the rosary, and Benediction. Many persons attended and many of them took advantage of the opportunity for confession. May we all heed the call of Our Lady of Fatima for prayer and sacrifice!
Today, on the birthday of the Blessed Mother, we welcomed postulant Rowena into the novitiate in a simple and touching ceremony. She is now Sr. Maria Rowena. Pictured with her in one of the photos is Mother Maria Catherine, our general superior, and Sr. Carole Marie, novice director. To quote from the ceremony, “Let us pray that the Lord Jesus bless Sister Maria Rowena with the spirit of Mother Mary Teresa, giving her strength to go forward in following His call.”
On the same day, Sr. Jhoan Marie renewed her vows at Marycrest and Sr. Mary Imelda renewed hers in the Philippines. God bless all of you!
In Nigeria, Sr. Leona Marie had the privilege of professing her first vows as a Parish Visitor of Mary Immaculate. We don’t have her photo, but we’re sure her smile was radiant on this blessed day.
A little over a week earlier, on the feast of the Assumption, August 15, Sr. Theresa Marie renewed her vows. Sisters, God bless you both and grant you many graces through the intercession of Our Lady!
On July 2 we rejoiced with our two jubilarians, Sr. Mary Gemma and Sr. Mary Josita. Sr. Mary Gemma celebrated 60 years since entering the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, coming from West Haven, Connecticut.
Over the years she served God and His people in Connecticut, New Jersey, Scranton, and Marycrest. She also served as General Treasurer, local superior, and from 2002-2007 as General Superior.
Sr. Mary Josita comes from Rome, NY and celebrated 50 years in the community. She has served in Rome, NY, the Bronx, Connecticut, Scranton, and currently at Sacred Heart parish in Monroe, NY. She is also a general councilor and was just elected as assistant general superior.
We wish both our jubilarians many happy, holy years ahead!
During June our General Chapter was held at our motherhouse in Monroe, New York. The General Chapter is held every five years to review our living of the charism of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate: What would God want, and what would Mother Foundress do now, to protect and foster our spiritual heritage and intensify our spiritual and apostolic vitality? Chapter delegates came from our various missions in the United States, Nigeria, and the Philippines.
During our General Chapter we also have our elections. On June 19 Sister Maria Catherine, now called Mother Maria Catherine (pictured), was elected as General Superior. The councilors elected the next day were Sr. Carole Marie, Sr. Mary Josita, Sr. Dolores Marie and Sr. Ann Marie. Sr. Mary Josita was also elected as Assistant General Superior. We ask your prayers for those elected and for our community as we go forward serving God and His people with the beautiful charism of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate.