Religious

Sister Ascenza Tizzano, MPF Delegate for Religious

732-562-1990 X1102 • Fax: 732-562-1307 • religious@diometuchen.org

Read about the jubilarians who celebrated milestones

80 Years: Sister Mary Peter Coakley, RSM

70 Years: SIster Helen O'Donnell, RSM; Sister Helen Rado, MPR

60 Years:Brother Ronald Patrick Cairns, SC; Sister Marlene Fritz, RSM; Brother Robert Sheeley, SC

50 Years: Sister Rose Maxine Babula, OSF; Sister Ester Hernandez, RSM; Sister Irene Nebus, RSM;
Sister Beverly Policastro, SC; Sister Leonarda Pyryt, LSCI; Sister Donna Marie Trukowski, CSSF;
Sister Dorothy Sajczuk, CSSF

25 Years: Sister MaryRose Mroz, SCC

Religious recognized for their service to the diocese

METUCHEN — It was shortly before kickoff on Super Bowl Sunday, but hundreds of people filled the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi to pay tribute to the religious who were recognized for their service at the annual World Day for Consecrated Life Feb. 5.

“This is the Diocese of Metuchen’s Super Bowl. It starts right now during vespers,” Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski told the congregation. “We celebrate; we pray and we thank God for the gift of all of you,” the bishop said to the brothers and sisters representing many of the 42 religious orders in the diocese.

He added, “Thank you for your presence, your life, your work, your love.” Then turning to the many young people in the pews, the bishop said, “They (the religious) have given of themselves. Maybe God is asking you to give of yourself in the very same way.”

The highlight of the prayer service was the recognition of the jubilarians who were celebrating milestones in their vocations. At the top of the list was Mercy Sister Mary Peter Coakley who has been a religious for 80 years. The youngest jubilarian, Christian Charity Sister MaryRose Mroz, was the only one celebrating 25 years.

In a reflection, Sacred Heart Brother Ronald Cairns, who celebrated his 60th anniversary, used the analogy of water to reflect on the three phases the jubilarians have experienced in their vocations. He described their early years as droplets of water which developed into a trickle and then into a raging stream which generated a tremendous amount of energy.

“We began as a bundle of energy. We could do anything we were asked,” he said.

Talking about their mature years, Brother Ronald said it was a time when the stream became a river which was deep, moved slowly and sometimes changed course. For the jubilarians it was a time of taking on more responsibility.

“We became the movers and shakers in our communities,” he said, but added it was also a time when many of their friends and comrades left the religious life.

“The biggest change in our lives was Vatican II,” Brother Ronald said. Before that historic event in the Church’s history, there were 200,000 religious sisters. Today there are only 68,000.

“What that means is that we are an exceptional group and should be proud of it,” Brother Ronald told his fellow jubilarians.

Continuing he said, “Now our river is moving to its final destination, the city. We are on the sidelines. But that means we have more time to pray and reflect on our ultimate objective ­— getting closer to God, loving one another, assisting each other as much as possible, displaying a happy demeanor and especially praying for one another.”

Referring to Brother Ronald’s talk, Religious Teachers Filippini Sister Ascenza Tizzano, diocesan delegate for religious, noted the religious have been a vital part of the diocese throughout its 30-year history.

“Three decades ago, our jubilarians were in the first phase of their vocations and worked hard to help build the diocese,” Sister Ascenza said.

Like Bishop Bootkoski, Sister Ascenza spoke to the young people, thanking them for coming to the prayer service, then said, “I hope today will inspire you to consider a religious vocation in your future. You need to leave your hearts open.”

By Joanne Ward, Associate Publisher at The Catholic Spirit
February 16, 2012