Vowed religious celebrate jubilees of
life of ministry
Published May 26, 2006
On Wednesday, May 31, Cardinal Adam Maida will celebrate Mass at St. John Center, Plymouth Township, in honor of the men and women marking their religious jubilees as members of their respective congregations.
All of these religious order brothers and sisters have given of their lives to God by ministering in special ways – whether through education, health care, missions, parish and retreat guidance work or in the cloistered life of prayer.
We thank them for their many years of service, as well as having touched so many lives along their journey.
Members of religious communities serving in the Archdiocese of Detroit were asked to share their thoughts about their religious life. Please note, while many sisters have changed from their religious name to their given name over the years, The Michigan Catholic is publishing the name as provided to us. Both names are included only where they have been provided.
Here are their answers to the question "Religious life has been like …"
75 years
Fr. Paul Huber, SJ
"As a whole has been a satisfying experience. My fellow Jesuits, again as a whole, especially superiors, have been very supportive. Fifty years have been spent in a downtown parish in Cincinnati. I tried to serve those parishioners the best that I could and they showed their appreciation. I am convinced that God has been very good to me by giving me a vocation to the religious life. PS: My life did have rough spots too!"
Sr. Rosalind Mogg, IHM
"As I look back over the 75 years as a religious working in Catholic Schools, I can see where the Holy Spirit has used me to help many children and adults to do God's work in the world. I am grateful for this gift."
Fr. Francis D. Rabaut, SJ
"I am especially grateful for the many opportunities I have had. First: to speak of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Second: to encourage all daily to renew the promises made at baptism by praying the Morning or Daily Offering. Third: as a fitting return of love to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to live out these promises each day."
70 years
Sr. Mary Adonia Ochalek, CSSF
"A blessing from Day One and it is continuing with each new day. Our God is a generous giver of varied and innumerable surprises. His treasure chest of people, places and tasks must be as infinite as He is. Yes, our Lord blesses His own abundantly with riches of mind and heart for body and spirit. For all his gifts, I am deeply grateful! And most especially for the gift of the Felician Sisters community family which has become more precious to me each additional year."
Sr. Mary Fabian Zarembski, CSSF
"A step in the right direction. My religious community, the Felician Sisters of Livonia, have been the heart and center of my being. I experience a peaceful sense of contentment and gratitude to my God for the gift of my religious life."
Sr. Bernadette Wargo, OP
"For me, a great time to reflect with praise and thanks to God who has done great things for me during my 70 years of religious life. He alone repays a hundredfold when we give all for Him. Most generous is our God."
Sr. M. ConsolataMarkowski, CSSF
"Very happy. There is very much I can thank God for, for all the graces He has given me. I am very thankful for all blessings received from Him. Each day, I give Him thanks for giving me health and that I can still take care of the chapel."
Sr. Mary Louise Pepon, OP
"I thank God for my 70 years in religious life. With all the ups and downs of everyday living, I thank God for my blessings from Him and the community. God used me for 40 years as an educator to bring His word to all my students."
65 years
Sr. Dorothy Doyle, SSJ
"A time of deeper awareness of the scriptural text: 'I have chosen you; you have not chosen me' (John 15:6). And the 65-year question has been – 'Why me?' 'Bless the Lord O my soul; all my being bless the Lord' (Psalm. 103:1)."
60 years
Fr. Fred Bergewisch, SJ
"The most fulfilling life I can imagine. In my youth, I worked for the FBI, resigned from that exciting work to accept a commission in the Navy, fighting at Okinawa etc., then as a Jesuit 30 years teaching scripture at Loyola University, Chicago. Then 13 years in Peru, South America. Returned home to do prison ministry as a chaplain. Now retired at Colombiere Jesuit Community, Clarkston. An extremely happy contented life."
Sr. M. Dolores Ann Nowaczewski, CSSF
"A ministry of love and a graced mystery of Jesus' love and support. The years have flown by as if 60 days. May His majesty be blessed and adored – Deo Gratias!"
Fr. Jogues Constance, OFM Cap
"God's special gift. Capuchin religious life 60 years ago when I entered would not resemble Capuchin life today. That seems to be a familiar phenomenon of history. I am certainly grateful to God for His presence and goodness all along. To God I offer praise and thanks for 60 years of His love and favor."
Sr. Elizabeth Mary Burns, RSM
"A time to reflect on the gift of being called to serve. These years have been filled with joys and sorrows, unexpected surprises and totally unremarkable days. Each experience brought new insights, many opportunities to be of service. I am grateful to God for calling me and for the grace to respond."
Sr. Agnes M. Breitenbeck, SSJ
"As a sister of St. Joseph of Nazareth it has been a journey of challenges, rewards, joy and peace. It has enriched me, developed me and assisted me to grow spiritually. It has allowed me to work with other religious doing His work. I am grateful."
Sr. Mary Louise Markey, IHM
"A beautiful life! I have enjoyed teaching children, student teachers, parents, RCIA teams, candidates, priests and staff members. I give thanks and praise to God for calling me to this vocation, and for all these opportunities to see Christ in so many. I pray for all." (Formerly Sr. Eileen Therese.)
Sr. Mary Estelle Printz, CSSF
"A tremendous gift from the Lord. My many and varied experiences as a Felician Sister has been most rewarding. My past contacts with students and adults of all ages have given me many great memories and friends. I have been blessed with wonderful opportunities and graces throughout my Felician life. I thank God daily for the gift of my Felician vocation and for all who ever helped me live it."
Sr. Carola Keffler, IHM
"A time filled with praise, love and gratitude as an IHM sister. I thank God for all His blessings during these grace-filled years in His service and pray for His continual help as I serve Him in the years ahead."
Sr. Miriam Hazy, OP
"Full of wonder and joy of God's love. I extend my gratitude to God, my Dominican congregation, family, relatives and friends who supported me in many ways. It has been through the Holy Spirit that I serve God's people."
Sr. Jane Arthur Duffy, IHM
"Filled with many blessings, I cherish the joyful celebrations and daily opportunities for the Eucharist. It has been a privilege to teach young children to love God. I pray for all my former students everyday. My song is one of love and gratitude to God, my family, and friends for all their loving support."
Sr. Teresa Rennell, IHM
"The greatest joy of my life. The many opportunities to enrich my prayer, my life and to worship God have brought me to a deep peace. My mission is to help others."
Sr. Regina Mary Affholter, IHM
"A deeply rewarding accomplishment for me. I want my former students to know that I pray for them each day. God loves you and so do I. Please remember me in your prayers. Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Help, St. Boniface, St. Patrick, Holy Redeemer, Lady of Lourdes, Benton Harbor, Peter Claver, Hall of Divine Child."
Sr. Ann Christine Charron, IHM
"Celebrating 60 years of religious life has been a life filled with God's grace and privilege to serve His people. For 26 1/2 years I enjoyed teaching from grades 2 through 8 and the last five years as principal at St. Michael's in Miami. In 1974 God's call was to serve the elderly administrator at Marydale Center in Port Huron. After 30 years of working with frail and elderly, I am now pastoral minister at St.Mary Parish in Port Huron. I thank God each day for my vocation and the grace to bring His love, peace and joy to those I serve."
Sr. Mary Ruth Koralewski, CSSF
"For the myriad memories, precious, for the most part. I thank the Lord, my Felician community, my family and all with whom I walked down the road of life. May the Lord bless all those who accompanied, blessed, supported and loved me with peace, love and joy in this world and in the next."
50 years
Fr. Jerome K. Odbert, SJ
"Very fulfilling and very rewarding. I was ordained in Detroit and have been serving the people of God here and in Toledo and in Cleveland and in Sudan and in Nairobi, Kenya and in Oakland, Calif. God's many and continuing gifts urge me to be so grateful for all that God has blessed me with."
Bro. Daniel McCullough, SJ
"I continue to be gifted with my vocation in a life of service. For this gift I am grateful."
Fr. Philip Nassens, OFM Cap
"Wonderful. Fifty years ago I took my vows of chastity, poverty and obedience here at St. Bonaventure Monastery. At that time, Fr. Solanus Casey told me I will like it in Detroit. I have spent just about half my years as a Capuchin here at the monastery and it is a great privilege for me to celebrate my golden anniversary where I began my religious life. I have spent 10 years in Australia working in the Capuchin Franciscan Formation program, and six years a as pastor in a parish in the Marquette Diocese. St. Bonaventure's is a good place to retire as I am able to help with confessions held here six hours a day and with many requests for parish help. God has been good."
Fr. Lloyd Thiel, OFM Cap
"Being a priest within the Capuchin fraternity has been a tremendous blessing for me. The support and inspiration of the Capuchin brothers has been a tremendous help in serving as a dedicated priest." (Celebrating 50 years as a priest.)
Sr. Rose Mary Ala, IHM
"A journey of spirit expansion in the passion/resurrection cycles of everyday experiences. Relationships and memories are key treasures."
Sr. Marlene Lieder, OP
"I see a mosaic of contrasting textures, shapes, and colors – coming together to create an experience of life with God and God's people. The mosaic is a delicate blend held together by God's sacred presence being there for me and many others through suffering, healing and rejoicing. This presence has embraced relationships in friendship, ministry and communal life. Flowing through have also been blessings that are multiple and astonishing! These blessings have been enriched with moments of searching, and at times with much humor, but always with hope for the present and for the future. Life has been challenging but it also has been very good."
Sr. Rosalind Naebers, IHM
"The past 50 years as a Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary has been rewarding – exciting and challenging. I have been truly blessed."
Sr. Joan Christie, OP
"My journey, begun 50 years ago, has always echoed the theme… 'Come follow me...' and 'I have called you and you are mine.' Life has been a wonderful journey, surrounded by loving family, a loving congregation and loving friends. A life that has blessed me with wonderful opportunities in ministry. A life that has tapped my creative abilities. A life that has been one in prayer. A life that has allowed me to 'be present to the moment' and reach out to those in need at every bend in the road. In turn, God has blessed me with all good things, for which I am most grateful."
Sr. Peg O'Flynn, OP
"As an Adrian Dominican sister, I rejoice in this year of jubilee! Through the love of my God, family, congregation members and friends, I find myself at this time deeply grateful for every person and experience that has brought me to this moment. To all of you who have touched my life, may the God of resurrection and new life bless you abundantly."
Sr. Mary Anna Riley, IHM
"Fifty years as a religious! What a blessing to have a ministry that has touched so many beautiful students and parents in schools from Monroe and Newport to Wyandotte, Detroit and Puerto Rico. My gratitude goes out to all who have shared their lives, aided my growth through many changes in our world, our IHM Congregation and a Church struggling to bring life to Vatican II. Opportunities never dreamed of, came my way to extend ministry into health studies of massage therapy, then certification in occupational therapy, which lead me to Goodwill Industries working with developmentally disabled, some of God's most blessed people. Presently continuing to use my educational background, I minister at Siena Literacy Center."
Sr. Regina Marie Doelker, RSM
"Celebrating 50 years as a Sister of Mercy has been a blessed and exciting adventure! I am especially grateful to God for inviting me to share in vocation ministry for 10 years and for 30 years in the ministry of educating young women at Mercy High School."
Sr. Joanne Spisz, OP
"Celebrating 50 years of religious life as an Adrian Dominican is a special gift of God's loving presence. My ministry in teaching elementary students has brought much joy to me. I thank God for His calling and many blessings and graces in my life."
Fr. Edwin Kline, CSB
"A very happy and fulfilling experience. I met the Basilian fathers at Assumption College and was impressed by them. This had led to teaching high school in Ontario, Texas, New York, Indiana, Michigan and California as well as 18 years of parish work in Canada. I am presently a guidance counselor at Catholic Central." (Celebrating 50 years as a priest.)
Sr. Jacqueline Wetherholt, SSJ
"A journey of love – of God and of the 'dear neighbor.' It has been an exciting time within the Church, within community life and within myself – a time of momentous change – always opting for that which makes the world a bit better. I am grateful to my community and my family for making this journey possible."
Sr. Marie Sweeney, IHM
"A double blessing to me. I received a lung transplant from Ford Hospital on Oct. 10, 2001. Had I not had it, I wouldn't be celebrating now. I thank God for my new lung, my donor, his family, all medical personnel involved in organ transplants, my family and my IHM community."
Fr. Adriano Cadei, PIME
"An experience of gratitude to the Lord, to our Lady, but also to so many brothers and sisters around the world. In fact I was blessed with the vocation of going literally 'into the whole world to proclaim the Good News to all creation' (Mark 16:15)." (Celebrating 50 years as a priest.)
Sr. Jeanne Gamache, SSJ
"A time to look back, reflect and express gratitude for many years graced by a wide variety of enriching ministries including the opportunity to experience life in Peru. Living in community has likewise been a gift these many years. I'm most grateful for a faithful God."
25 years
Sr. Jane Mary McNamara, CSSF
"A time of thanksgiving and service to God. I would like to thank my father, James, who now deceased was God's mentor to invite me to a religious life. My mother, Rose, who taught me how to care, my brothers and sisters and my Felician family who supported and encouraged me."
Sr. Susan MariaBreitenbeck, CSSF
"The most precious time of my life. My God-given gifts I share with everyone. I strive daily to deepen my commitment to my spouse so that I might share His light with others. There are times of difficulties but there is always a sign of hope by letting Jesus be my guide and inspiration."
Fr. Mark Soehner, OFM
"Celebrating 25 years of religious life, now serving at St. Aloysius and St. Patrick parishes and St. Dominic Outreach Center, has been an incredible adventure. Walking with Jesus in this community of little brothers, the Franciscans, has changed me into a man of faith. I have been privileged to know people who live on our streets, those who are seniors and others with mental illness. Through these women and men I have met the Risen Lord."
Profession anniversaries
75 Years
Sr. Adele DuRoss IHM
Sr. Mary Paul Kerekes OP
Sr. Mary Joseph Kistka CSSF
Sr. Lidwina Konicki OSF
Sr. Mary Jerome Kurczewski CSSF
Sr. Rosaline Mogg IHM
Sr. Maura Morrssey IHM
Sr. Imelda Neaton IHM
Sr. Margaret Roman OP
Fr. Paul A. Huber SJ
Fr. Francis D. Rabaut SJ
Fr. Joseph O. Schell SJ
Fr. Paul A. Woelfl SJ
70 Years
Sr. Mary Burns OP
Sr. Mary Imelda Cantiello OP
Sr. Janine Marie Filipowicz CSSF
Sr. Monica Kebisek OP
Sr. Mary Consolata Markowski CSSF
Sr. Mary Adonia Ochalek CSSF
Sr. Mary Louise Pepon OP
Sr. Marianne Stolarski CSSF
Sr. Mary Salome Sudryk CSSF
Sr. Teresa Turnwald OCD
Sr. Bernadette Wargo OP
Sr. Mary Fabian Zarembski CSSF
65 Years
Sr. Dorothy Doyle SSJ
Sr. Mary Joseph Remark OCD
Sr. Mary Presentine Ugorowski CSSF
Sr. Bridgette Mary Ventline CSSF
60 Years
Sr. Regina Mary Affholter IHM
Sr. Marie Shelia Beatty OP
Sr. Mary Benedict Begin RSM
Sr. Bernetta Booms IHM
Sr. Agnes Breitenbeck SSJ
Sr. Margaret Brennan IHM
Sr. Elizabeth Mary Burns RSM
Sr. Lois Burroughs RSM
Sr. Mary Agneta Bush RSM
Sr. Ann Christine Charron IHM
Sr. Martha Cherney SSJ-TOSF
Sr. Jane Arthur Duffy IHM
Sr. Shelia N. Flynn OP
Sr. Betty Foster OP
Sr. Jeanne Garvin IHM
Sr. Michele Gebhradt OP
Sr. Sean Therese Halpin OP
Sr. Donna Hart IHM
Sr. Miriam Hazy OP
Sr. Mary Cabrini Hohl IHM
Sr. Anne Marie Hughes IHM
Sr. Mary Cecilia Inga OP
Sr. Carola Keffler IHM
Sr. Donna Mary Kerr IHM
Sr. Ann Gabriel Kilsdonk IHM
Sr. Mary Ruth Koralewski CSSF
Sr. Mary Louise Markey IHM
Sr. Beverly McEachin OP
Fr. Benjamin R. Morin SJ
Sr. Mary Rosellen Mortimore RSM
Sr. Dorothy Nauer IHM
Sr. Mary Dolores Ann Nowaczewski CSSF
Sr. Clare O'Connor OP
Sr. Madonna Oswald IHM
Sr. Mary Margaret Perry OP
Sr. Laura Pesick OP
Sr. Mary Georgette Poulin RSM
Sr. Mary Estelle Printz CSSF
Sr. Teresa Rennell IHM
Sr. Patricia Cecile Slattery OP
Sr. Anne Bernadette Stein OP
Sr. Bernadette Mary Syron OP
Sr. Mary Ann Untener IHM
Sr. Rose Bernadette Van Ooteghem IHM
Sr. Norine Wholihan IHM
Fr. Fred F. Bergewisch SJ
Fr. Jogues Constance OFM Capuchin
Fr. Roch Farland OFM
Fr. Benno G. Kornely SJ
Fr. Benjamin R. Morin SJ
55 Years
Msgr. James P Robinson SSE
50 Years
Sr. Kay Louise Aerts IHM
Sr. Rose Mary Ala IHM
Sr. Cheryl Allen SSJ
Sr. Alice Baker IHM
Sr. Mary Faith Bell IHM
Sr. Judith Bonini IHM
Sr. Mary Barbara Burzynski CSSF
Sr. Joan Christie OP
Sr. Catherine Camille DeClercq OP
Sr. Annette Desloover OP
Sr. Regina Marie Doelker RSM
Sr. Judy Dowd IHM
Sr. Helen Essa OP
Sr. Jeanne Gamache SSJ
Sr. Elizabeth Granger SSJ
Sr. Elizabeth Harris HVM
Sr. Mary of the Incarnate Word OP
Sr. June Johnson IHM
Sr. Mary Margaret Kijek CSSF
Sr. Pauline Kijek OSF
Sr. Marlene Lieder OP
Sr. Maria Theresa Magrie IHM
Sr. Margaret Naber OP
Sr. Rosalind Naebers IHM
Sr. Margaret O'Flynn OP
Sr. Beverly Pettke OSM
Sr. Mary Anna Riley IHM
Sr. Anne de Paul Rivard SSJ
Sr. Hilda Nadine Sheehan OP
Sr. Hilda Skelley IHM
Sr. Suzanne Mary Skowronmski RSM
Sr. Joanne Spisz OP
Sr. Marie Sweeney IHM
Sr. Teresa Uhlen OCD
Sr. Jacqueline Wetherholt SSJ
Fr. James Andres OFM Capuchin
Fr. Marvin Walter LaBute CSB
Fr. Bede Louzon OFM Capuchin
Fr. Patrick McNally FSC
Fr. Phillips Nassens OFM Capuchin
Fr. Jerome K. Odbert SJ
Fr. Raymond Paramo CSB
Bro. Daniel J. McCullough SJ
Bro. Albert Pietrusinski OSFS
25 Years
Sr. Susan Marie Breitenbeck CSSF
Sr. Jane Mary McNamara CSSF
Fr. Joseph Monachino OFM Capuchin
Fr. Mark Soehner OFM
Religious Priest Ordination Anniversaries
65 Years
Fr. Herman Muller SJ
50 Years
Fr. Campion Baer OFM Cap
Fr. Thomas J. Bain SJ
Fr. John Burkhart OSA
Fr. Adriano Cadei PIME
Fr. Paul Clifford SJ
Fr. Cornelius L. Curtin SJ
Fr. John Fee SSCC
Fr. Edward Joseph Kline CSB
Fr. Benjamin R. Morin SJ
Fr. Lloyd Thiel OFM Cap
Fr. Glenn F. Williams SJ
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