Events
Final Vows
Sr. Maria Leah Japos, P.V.M.I. pronounced her perpetual vows on January 25 in the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Makati City, Philippines. January 25 is the anniversary date of our foundress’ inspiration to begin our religious community, so this date was doubly special for us this year. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle was the main celebrant of the Mass, and Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales and a number of other priests concelebrated.
The pictures show the crown of roses, symbolizing the crown of heaven we will receive if we are faithful to our vows, the crucifix ring, and the mission crucifix which we receive on this day, symbolizing our perpetual dedication to Jesus crucified as a holocaust for the redemption of the most abandoned souls.
We rejoice with Sr. Maria Leah and wish her many years of happiness, holiness and apostolic fruitfulness. Congratulations, Sister!
First Vows
On this day, the feast of the Presentation of Mary, Sr. Rebecca Miriam Lasota pronounced her first vows. Sister is from Queen Creek, Arizona, and her family was able to be with her for this special occasion. Congratulations, Sister, and may you have many happy, holy years as a Parish Visitor of Mary Immaculate!
OUR LADY OF FATIMA
This year commemorates the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima. We had an evening of prayer at our motherhouse, and it included an outdoor procession with the image of Our Lady of Fatima, Exposition, a talk, the rosary, and Benediction. Many persons attended and many of them took advantage of the opportunity for confession. May we all heed the call of Our Lady of Fatima for prayer and sacrifice!
A NEW NOVICE
Today, on the birthday of the Blessed Mother, we welcomed postulant Rowena into the novitiate in a simple and touching ceremony. She is now Sr. Maria Rowena. Pictured with her in one of the photos is Mother Maria Catherine, our general superior, and Sr. Carole Marie, novice director. To quote from the ceremony, “Let us pray that the Lord Jesus bless Sister Maria Rowena with the spirit of Mother Mary Teresa, giving her strength to go forward in following His call.”
On the same day, Sr. Jhoan Marie renewed her vows at Marycrest and Sr. Mary Imelda renewed hers in the Philippines. God bless all of you!
FIRST VOWS
In Nigeria, Sr. Leona Marie had the privilege of professing her first vows as a Parish Visitor of Mary Immaculate. We don’t have her photo, but we’re sure her smile was radiant on this blessed day.
A little over a week earlier, on the feast of the Assumption, August 15, Sr. Theresa Marie renewed her vows. Sisters, God bless you both and grant you many graces through the intercession of Our Lady!
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.