Events
JUBILEES
On July 2 we rejoiced with our two jubilarians, Sr. Mary Gemma and Sr. Mary Josita. Sr. Mary Gemma celebrated 60 years since entering the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, coming from West Haven, Connecticut.
Over the years she served God and His people in Connecticut, New Jersey, Scranton, and Marycrest. She also served as General Treasurer, local superior, and from 2002-2007 as General Superior.
Sr. Mary Josita comes from Rome, NY and celebrated 50 years in the community. She has served in Rome, NY, the Bronx, Connecticut, Scranton, and currently at Sacred Heart parish in Monroe, NY. She is also a general councilor and was just elected as assistant general superior.
We wish both our jubilarians many happy, holy years ahead!
GENERAL CHAPTER AND ELECTIONS
During June our General Chapter was held at our motherhouse in Monroe, New York. The General Chapter is held every five years to review our living of the charism of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate: What would God want, and what would Mother Foundress do now, to protect and foster our spiritual heritage and intensify our spiritual and apostolic vitality? Chapter delegates came from our various missions in the United States, Nigeria, and the Philippines.
During our General Chapter we also have our elections. On June 19 Sister Maria Catherine, now called Mother Maria Catherine (pictured), was elected as General Superior. The councilors elected the next day were Sr. Carole Marie, Sr. Mary Josita, Sr. Dolores Marie and Sr. Ann Marie. Sr. Mary Josita was also elected as Assistant General Superior. We ask your prayers for those elected and for our community as we go forward serving God and His people with the beautiful charism of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate.
NEW NOVICES
The feast of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, May 31, is always a very special day for Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate. Mary reached out to someone in need while pondering in her heart what God had just done in her—a contemplative missionary!
This year the Visitation was made even more special as our two postulants, Alina Nieser and Meaghan Baldwin, were received into the novitiate. Alina grew up in Georgia but lived in Michigan before entering the convent, and Meaghan is from Long Island.
The first photo shows the reception of the white veil. They also received our community Constitutions and Spiritual Directory. As is our custom, Alina kept her baptism name, as it already included a form of Mary, and she is now Sister Alina Marie. Meaghan had a form of Mary added to her name, and so she is now Sr. Marie Meaghan. They’re excited to begin this new step in their journey of following the Lord! May they have many happy and holy years of loving and serving Him!
NEW NOVICE IN NIGERIA
On Holy Thursday we were happy to have another novice in Nigeria. Rita Chukwueke completed her postulancy and now is Sister Rita Marie. Unfortunately we don’t have a photo of her smiling face. May God bless her and all our novices with much joy and peace in Jesus!
BUS PILGRIMAGE TO MARYCREST
Marycrest bus pilgrimages of our friends and Associates have been a tradition for many years, and we recently had another pleasant one. The participants had a May crowning of Our Lady, visited Mother Foundress’ heritage room in our newly repaired/renovated motherhouse, listened to inspirational songs by the Parish Visitor choir, walked around our grounds, and in general enjoyed the day. Many of them also visited with Sisters they knew who had been stationed at our former Rome, New York convent.
Besides friends from Rome, New York, there was a group from St. Bernard’s parish in Waterville, New York, the home parish of our foundress, and women from Utica, New York.
BLESSING OF REPAIRED MOTHERHOUSE
March 10 is the anniversary of the death of our foundress, Servant of God Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, an appropriate day to have our repaired and renovated motherhouse blessed. Friends and benefactors joined us for the blessing, a tour of the motherhouse, and refreshments. A beautiful six-inch snowfall didn’t deter people but added a special touch to the day.
This building is well over 100 years old, and over four years ago we discovered that it was structurally unsound. Steel beams were needed throughout the house, from basement to attic, unexpectedly raising the cost and delaying the project. Ancient wiring and plumbing needed replacement, also. Finally, though, we have our beautiful motherhouse back. The room in which Mother Mary Teresa died is now a heritage room containing her bed and chair and a number of objects which belonged to her.
As we prayed in our blessing ceremony, may God be praised and loved greatly in this house!
RIGHT TO LIFE MARCH
On January 27 four Parish Visitors left Marycrest at 4:00 a.m. to attend 4:15 Mass at the local parish and board the bus for the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Pictured are Sr. Rebecca Miriam, postulants Meaghan and Alina, and Sr. Mary Beverly. Let’s hope that before long abortion will be outlawed and this March will be no longer needed in our country!