On the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Mother, Sr. Maria Josephine Ojobor professed her final vows at our convent in Nigeria, amidst much rejoicing. We wish her many blessings of holiness and apostolic fruitfulness for many, many years! Congratulations, Sister!
A busload of friends from the Rome, New York area came to Marycrest on May 17 for their annual pilgrimage. Many of them remembered our Sisters from the years we served in St. John the Baptist parish in Rome, New York, and several were relatives of our foundress, who grew up not far from Rome, New York. The day included Mass, lunch, a May crowning of Our Lady, songs by the Sisters, and a raffle. The power outage from the recent storm didn’t dampen spirits! May God bless all our loyal friends, these and all others!
Sr. Theresa Marie recently gave a presentation on the life and times of Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, our foundress, as well as her heroic virtue and the steps on the path to canonization. Our foundress had been a Sister of the Holy Cross before beginning our community, and she had been stationed in Elkhart, Indiana from 1913-1915. While there she taught in St. Vincent de Paul parish school and was encouraged by the pastor, Father Francis Jansen, in her desire to found a new community of Sisters.
A vocations summit for the Staten Island section of the Archdiocese of New York was held on April 16. A panel composed of three Sisters and three priests responded to questions from the teens. Sr. Theresa Marie, P.V.M.I. was one of the panelists. Let us pray for these teens and for all who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life!
Sr. Maria Leah Japos, P.V.M.I. pronounced her perpetual vows on January 25 in the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Makati City, Philippines. January 25 is the anniversary date of our foundress’ inspiration to begin our religious community, so this date was doubly special for us this year. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle was the main celebrant of the Mass, and Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales and a number of other priests concelebrated.
The pictures show the crown of roses, symbolizing the crown of heaven we will receive if we are faithful to our vows, the crucifix ring, and the mission crucifix which we receive on this day, symbolizing our perpetual dedication to Jesus crucified as a holocaust for the redemption of the most abandoned souls.
We rejoice with Sr. Maria Leah and wish her many years of happiness, holiness and apostolic fruitfulness. Congratulations, Sister!