Special Mass

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.

Appreciation Day

On April 20 we hosted Bishop Gerardo Colacicco, Fr. David Rider, Fr. William Damroth, Fr. Reynor Santiago, and Fr. Kevin Hanlon, who have celebrated Mass for us at Marycrest. It was our way of saying thank you to them for their spiritual care for the Sisters. (Several other priests who also celebrate Mass at Marycrest were unable to attend.) A Eucharistic Holy Hour which concluded with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament was followed by free time for the priests to relax together. They joined us for Evening Prayer and Rosary. After a special dinner, the we sang songs that had been written in their honor. May God bless all our priest friends!

February 4-7, 2021 FOCUS Conference

Seek 21 was this year’s FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) conference. With the pandemic, it had to be done virtually, with youth taking part from where they lived, around the country. Our Pennsylvania Sisters were able to join the group of participants at Cathedral parish in Philadelphia. May God grant that much fruit comes from this conference!

Final Vows in Nigeria

We rejoice with Sr. Mary Anthonia Okpikuma, who made her final vows on this day. To give oneself to God forever–what a beautiful offering! Besides the crown of roses and the crucifix ring, the mission crucifix received at final vows is a sign of our perpetual dedication, that we will be a “willing holocaust for the redemption of the most abandoned souls.” May God’s grace and strength be with Sr. Mary Anthonia forever!

 

Anniversary of Inspiration

On January 25th we remember with gratitude the fullness of the inspiration to found the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate given to Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, then Sister Mary Berchmans, a Sister of the Holy Cross, on this day in 1908:

“God revealed to me clearly, at Holy Mass, in the chapel at 143 W. 61st Street, New York City, on January 25, 1908, the feast of the conversion of St. Paul, what it was He wanted. I must establish an Institute where women would be trained to greater spiritual perfection and, being formed in the contemplative spirit, go out in search of the lost lambs and bring them back to the fold by means of Christian instruction. I saw God’s will clearly and received strong assurances of His powerful protection. Jesus offered Himself as security for the work, and promised to supply by His infinite perfection, the lack on my part.”

This year we were privileged to have Cardinal Timothy Dolan celebrate Mass with us on that day, with Bishop Gerardo Colacicco and Rev. Stephen Ries as concelebrants.

New Novice

Postulant Debra Comins, from Cleveland, New York, today began her novitiate, and is now called Sister Debra Marie. Please pray with us for her and for all our Sisters, as well as for many more good, holy vocations to the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate.

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