By Ruby Thomas, Record Staff Writer
Forty-seven men and women religious were honored at a Mass celebrating World Day of Consecrated Life Jan. 28 at St. Stephen Martyr Church, 2931 Pindell Ave.
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz celebrated the Mass for the men and women marking jubilees of 25 through 85 years.
During his homily, Archbishop Kurtz said to the congregation that he was “honored” to be with the men and women at this celebration. If he’d served as a religious for 85 years he’d “take a day off,” the archbishop said, eliciting laughter from his listeners. Dominican Sister of Peace Vincent de Paul Hutton, who did not attend the Mass, celebrated her 85th jubilee.
Archbishop Kurtz told the congregation that there are people all over Kentucky and perhaps even the world whose lives were touched by the religious sitting before him.
“Your witness comes to mind. Maybe you taught them in school or visited them at home or in the hospital. Whatever the ministry, Christ touched their lives through you. That’s the ripple effect that the consecrated life has on the church and the world,” said Archbishop Kurtz. “We honor and thank you. It allows us to shout to the world how important a witness and an unselfish, faithful dedication to Christ is, maybe even more so today.”
It’s Christ, said the archbishop, who is the “foundation of consecrated life.”
During the Mass, the religious men and women renewed their profession of vows.
Ursuline Sister of Mount St. Joseph Grace Swift, who celebrated 70 years of religious life, attended the Mass with members of her congregation. During a reception held after Mass, Sister Swift said that her years as a religious sister have been “wonderfully fulfilling.”
“I’ve had a wonderful life. I taught (history) for 32 years at Loyola University in New Orleans. I taught grade school too and taught every grade for at least one day,” said Sister Swift with a laugh.
She entered religious life when she was 20-years-old. She started out as an Ursuline Sister of Paola in Kansas, but that order merged with the Ursuline Sisters of Mount St. Joseph 10 years ago.
“I love it at Mount St. Joseph now,” said Sister Swift. The 90-year-old has traded the classroom for the vineyard and now serves her congregation by tending to the grapes the sisters use to make jelly.
Forty-seven women and men religious — celebrating jubilees of 25, 50, 60, 70, 75, 80 and 85 years — were recognized at the celebration.
The following list of jubilarians includes those who responded to the invitation sent by the Archdiocese of Louisville. All men and women religious in the archdiocese were invited.
85 Years
Sr. Vincent de Paul Hutton, OP
75 Years
Sr. Mary Denis Bruck, SL
Sr. Catherine de Marie Conaty, LSP
Sr. Patricius Henderson, OP
Sr. Adrian Marie Hofstetter, OP
Sr. Mary Kenneth Lewis, SL
Sr. Barbara MacDonald, SCN
Sr. Mary Agnes Richter, SL
Rev. Simon Herbers, CP
70 Years
Sr. Cabrini Bartoli, SL
Sr. Josepha Buckley, OP
Sr. Theresa Coyle, SL
Sr. Mary Naomi Elder, SCN
Sr. Maria Cecilia Emanuelli, SCN
Sr. Joan Miriam Glaser, OP
Sr. Helen Glidden, SCN
Sr. Ann Gohl, SL
Sr. Rosemary Grawer, SL
Sr. Lelia Marie Kirchner, OSU
Sr. Rosemary Kirsten, OP
Sr. John Ann Kulina, SCN
Sr. Marie Celine Osbourn, SCN
Sr. Mary Reisz, SCN
Sr. Grace Swift, OSUMSJ
60 Years
Sr. Brigid Bonner, SP
Sr. Mary Ann Budka, OP
Sr. Anna Marie Conklin, SCN
Sr. Martha Discher, SCN
Sr. Carmelita Dunn, SCN
Sr. Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN
Sr. Norma Jean Lenenberger, SCN
Sr. Marie Catherine Mcauley, LSP
Sr. June Monaghan, SCN
Friar Keith O’Neill, OFM Conv
Sr. Marilyn Pierson, OP
Sr. Judy Popp, SL
Friar Regis Schlagheck, OFM Conv
Rev. Robert Weiss, CP
Sr. Grace Mary Whittaker, SCN
50 Years
Sr. Susan Gatz, SCN
Rev. Christopher Gibson, CP
Friar Kerry Guillory, OFM Conv
Sr. Susan Kilb, SCN
Friar P.D. Massengill, OFM Conv
Sr. Amelia Stenger, OSUMSJ
Sr. Jean Anne Zappa, OSU
25 Years
Friar Paul Clark, OFM Conv
