Events

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!

Sister Carole Marie Troskowski, former general superior of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, celebrated her 60th anniversary on July 2. Sister grew up in Albany, New York and had been active in the Legion of Mary before entering the convent.

The Sisters, as well as a number of her family members, were happy to share this special day with her. May she have many more happy and fruitful years as a Parish Visitor!

On June 24, the Solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist, the Parish Visitors had a great reason to celebrate. Sister Jhoan Marie of Tacloban, Philipppines and Sister Mary Imelda of Bicol, Philippines made their Perpetual Profession of Vows at our motherhouse in Monroe, New York.

Fr. David Rider was the principal celebrant, Fr. Tom Byrnes, the homilist, and the following priests concelebrated the Mass: Fr, Chris Argano, Fr. Jack Arlotta, Fr. William Damroth, Fr. Eric de la Pena, OFM Conv., Msgr. Philip Franceschini, Fr. Dennis Gill, Fr. Kevin Hanlon, M.M., Fr. Robert Pinnisi. They were assisted by Michael Coleman, a seminarian currently assigned to Sacred Heart in Monroe. Fr. Reynor Santiago joined in the celebration later in the day.

Sr. Jhoan Marie will serve God’s people from our Pennsylvania convent, and Sr. Mary Imelda will continue to be missioned at our Philippines convent.

As you can see, the new “Brides of Christ” were radiant. Please pray with us for many more young women to follow their example and say “yes” to the call of Jesus!

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!