Wow! Four sisters of the Sisters of St. Joseph celebrated 210 years of professed vows in St. Augustine where their motherhouse emits such joy. I had the great honor to concelebrate the Eucharistic Mass along with Bishop Victor and our Bishop Emeritus John Snyder.

It was all about joy and gratitude. How blessed we are as diocese and people of God to have such a blessing flowing though our lives like a river of love. I was overwhelmed by the welcome and hospitality of these truly heroic and compassionate sisters. So many sisters came to celebrate along with the families of these women.

In 1950, Sister Margaret Killilea left her home in Ireland to join the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, Florida. She began her ministry as a teacher with another ten years in parish work in St. Petersburg. In the program we read with glee that Sister Margaret’s present ministry is at Our Lady of Lourdes Convent. She says that there is much in knowledge, but more in compassion, more in gentleness, and more in caring and love. This is her mission. It is one of the highest, for it is nothing less than manifesting the spirit of CHRIST in one’s life.

Sister Rita Baum is grateful for the lasting friendships that have grown within the Congregation and from Nazareth Homes and the L’Arche Communities. She thanks her sisters and brothers and their families who have made this Jubilee celebration also a family reunion. Sister Rita is one of 8 children and I have been on retreat with her sister and nephews at Faith and Sharing Retreats. Sister Rita and I have animated a couple of retreats including one in Detroit. What a fabulous and beautiful family all-smiling brightly at this festive occasion. Sister Rita’s current work is in Le Puy, France, the place of the original foundation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, from where our Sisters, Associates and friends of the Congregation who wish to experience the history and the spirit that gave birth to the Congregations that have spread throughout the world. This woman and her family has richly blessed me abundantly.

Sister Eileen Therese Fichtner is a first generation German immigrant and a woman who seems to radiate joy. When I was a deacon in Lake City, Florida we worked together at Epiphany school…along with our very own Susi Pitman and Seana! Sister Eileen knows that over the years she has been blessed with many good people who have been part of her life and ministries – from family and community, to fellow faculty and library volunteers, to helping hands in caring for the girls, and to the many children who have crossed her path. It is Sister Eileen Therese’s hope and prayer that God’s special blessings will be theirs.

Sister Ann Raymond Wood was born in Pittsburgh. For one year Sister Ann Raymond taught a special program at Sumter Correctional Institution where she prepared qualified inmates to become assistants in the education department of the prison. Sister found this to be a very rewarding experience. God has been good to Sister Ann over the past fifty years and she prays that God will bless all those who have walked with her along the way.

These Sisters remind me of what Jesus said when he began his ministry:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He sent me to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord!

It is truly a jubilee to celebrate such love and hope in a world desperate for the love of God.

Have a most blessed week.

Love, joy, peace,

Father Ron Moses +

www.tearinthedesert.com

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