Events

Sr. Mary Roberta White, PVMI went home to the Lord on December 11, 2024. Sister had a very easy going way about her that put people at ease. She was wonderful at showing a personal interest in everyone. In her heart she was single-minded for the Lord’s glory and the salvation of others. Her blindness in later years was a source of grace for herself and for the many people for whom she prayed, as she offered everything to the Lord with trust and faith. We look forward to seeing you again Sister Mary Roberta! You now enjoy seeing the Lord and all the saints in heaven!

On Saturday August 3rd, we welcomed around 45 high school teens to a day where they could encounter Jesus, meet friends and Sisters, and be sent forth as missionary disciples! The day was filled with shared meals, a volley ball game (and other games), small group activities and discussions, shared meals, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Mass. The youth loved all the attention from our sisters and left filled with the love, joy, and peace of Christ!

On July 2, Sr. Mary Roberta White celebrated 70 years in religious life. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Charles Connor, Fr. Thomas Byrnes and Fr. Joseph Meagher. Sister is originally from Wisconsin, and over the years has served in our apostolate in many places. God bless you, Sister!

We ask your prayers for the repose of the soul of Sr. Ann Marie Archer, PVMI who died following a brief illness on Saturday, January 20, 2024. Sister Ann Marie did missionary visitation, social service assistance, and religious education in St. Raymond’s, Bronx, and visitation in St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Bronx, and Our Lady of Peace in Manhattan. She served as a formation director for many years in the Bronx and at Marycrest. For the past 18 years she was a local superior at Marycrest and cared for the Sisters in the infirmary. In 2012 she was elected as a General Councilor. Her funeral was at Marycrest on Saturday, January 27, 2024. May she rest in peace.

While the large World Youth Day gathering was being held in Portugal, we held our own one-day event at Marycrest. The weather was perfect and the teens had much opportunity for spiritual growth and refreshment: Mass, Adoration, opportunities for confession, talks, a rosary procession, and of course food and fun! The worldwide theme was “Mary Arose and Went with Haste” [to visit her cousin Elizabeth], which fits right in with the charism of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate. Please pray for the teens who attended, that their relationship with the Lord will continue to grow all their lives!

Sr. Joan Germaine passed peacefully to her eternal reward on July 22. Bishop Gerardo Colacicco and Father David Rider celebrated the Funeral Mass on July 27. It was attended by several of Sister Joan’s nieces and nephews, Parish Visitor Associates, the local Legion of Mary, aides who had cared for Sister Joan, friends from Rome, NY, and the Sisters at Marycrest and those from our Bronx and PA convents. May Sr. Joan Germaine rest in God’s eternal peace and pray for us all.

We began the month with the celebration of two jubilees:  Sr. Eileen Marie Laird, originally from Montana, has been in religious life for 75 years, and Sr. Carmen Rivera, from Puerto Rico, celebrated 60 years.  We rejoiced with them as they renewed their vows in Chapel at a beautiful Mass and later celebrated with family and the Sisters.  May God bless them both in abundance for their years of generous and loving service to Him!

Our newest convent was opened in Warren, Ohio on October 15. The Sisters will serve Blessed Sacrament Parish and the other parishes in Warren.  Fr. Christopher Cicero, the pastor, welcomed the Sisters who had previously served there temporarily last year. Sister Mary Beata and Sister Debra Marie are joined by Michelle DiCarlo, one of our postulants. Bishop David Bonner celebrated the parish Mass on the 15th to welcome the Sisters to the Youngstown Diocese, and Mother Maria Catherine and Sister Alina Marie were present for the occasion.

As in all our convents, Warren has a Chapel with the Blessed Sacrament always present.