Events

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.

The General Chapter of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, held every five years, opened on June 16. Elections were held on June 27 and 28. Bishop Gerardo Colacicco presided at the election of the General Superior, and Mother Maria Catherine was re-elected as General Superior. General Councilors elected were Sr. Mary Josita, Assistant General Superior, Sr. Carole Marie, Sr. Ann Marie, and Sr. Dolores Marie. Please pray with us for those elected and for God’s blessings for the years to come.

On May 30 Sister Dolores Augustine, PVMI went home to God. She entered the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate 79 years ago in 1943 and would have been 100 years old in August. Born in Minnesota, throughout her years of religious life she served in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Scranton, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Chicago, as well as having various assignments within the convent.

She is the last Sister to have lived in the community during the lifetime of the foundress, Servant of God, Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, who died in 1954.

May God grant Sister Dolores Augustine eternal peace.

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!