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25 Albany Province Jubilarians Celebrate 1,605 Years of Life and Service as Sisters of St. Joseph

On Saturday, March 18, 2017, over 300 Sisters of St. Joseph and CSJ Associates gathered at the Provincial House to celebrate the gift of vocation with the 25 jubilarians of the Albany Province who commemorated 80, 75, 70, 60 and 50 years in the congregation and who shared 1,605 years of service as Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

Joy-filled applause began the moment our 80-year jubilarians, Sisters Marcia Allen, Frances Patricia Degnan and Mary Ethna Kapfer entered the chapel to begin the procession and continued until all 25 celebrants had taken their seats! PH Chaplain Rev. Geoffrey Burke was celebrant of the Eucharistic Liturgy. Sixty-year Jubilarian Sister Marilyn Feehan welcomed the congregation, and Jubilarian Sisters Patricia Allen (50), Mary Rose Fox (50), Rosalie Kelley (60), Mary Catherine Rayo (60) and Ellen Spellman (60) lighted five candles, representing the deceased members of each jubilee group. Golden Jubilarian Sister Lois Barton gave the homily focused on the Scripture readings chosen for the Liturgy. Sister Anne Stephen Wysocki served as cantor, joined by Sister Patricia St. John as pianist, Sister Patricia Houlihan as organist and guest instrumentalists, Norman Thibodeau, flutist, and Susan Kokernak, oboist. Sisters Suzanne Petronis and Genevieve Joseph Ciszek created the lovely chapel ambience. Sister Katherine Hanley (60) led the sisters in the vow renewal while CSJ Associate Pat John led associates in a renewal of their promises. It was a joy-filled day in which sisters and associates celebrated, through the Word, the Eucharist and a festive meal the joy of being together.

Throughout the day, jubilarians, sisters and associates expressed thanks to the Jubilee Committee, FLIK Senior Dining and all others who had helped to plan the beautiful day of celebration. Most of all, sisters and associates alike offered thanks to God for the gifts of faithfulness, friendship, service and love with which they had been blessed.

Click HERE and scroll to the bottom to view a slideshow of the blessed day of Jubilee! 

The jubilarians are listed below:

80 Years

Sister Marcia Allen

Sister Frances Patricia Degnan

Sister Mary Ethna Kapfer

75 Years

Sister Margaret Madden

70 Years

Sister Marie Bowe

Sister Theresa Brown

Sister Jean Hart

Sister Martha Marie McCaffrey

Sister Maria Mercurio

Sister Ellen Alicia Noonan

Sister Helen Palermo

Sister Madeline Powers

60 Years

Sister Nola Brunner

Sister Maureen Denn

Sister Marilyn Feehan

Sister Katherine Hanley

Sister Rosalie Kelley

Sister Sara Kirsch

Sister Mary Catherine Rayo

Sister Ellen James Spellman

50 Years

Sister Mary Rose Fox

Sister Patricia Allen

Sister Lois Ann Barton

Sister Mary Ellen Shirtz

Sister Ann Christi Brink