By Katie Mahon, Communications Mananger
On Sunday, October 10th, the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, Motherhouse Chapel was full of joy and love as Sisters and Associates came together to celebrate 14 Jubilarians.
Sr. Victoria Sloane celebrated 75 years of religious life, while Sisters Mary Margaret Gleeson, Patricia Horan, and Dominic Marie McDonnell celebrated 70 years.
Sisters Jeanine Conlon, Liz Engel, Monica Paul Fraser, Pat Ginty, James Bridget Hanley, Jane Francis Marron, Barbara McEneany, Mary McFarland, Kathy O’Hanlon, and Beverly Vetrano of “the Band of 1961” celebrated 60 years of religious life.
During the Mass, Sr. Mary Ann Collins spoke and shared, “Jubilee Day is one of my favorite celebrations! As I look at the women celebrating today, I am deeply grateful for each of their lives… 60 years, 70 years, 75 years… of living vowed life as a Dominican woman—as my sister, as our sister.”
Sr. Mary Ann went on to add, “Our sisters have loved and spread their wings in many, many different ways. They have flown on the wings of love and have given wings to others: as artists and adoption specialists; as educators and social workers; in health care and hospice; as professors and parish ministers; as missionaries and musicians; as chaplains and campus ministers; as child care workers and retreat leaders; and always with a pastoral presence, a heart of love, reaching out to others.”
When closing out her reflection, Sr. Mary Ann left those in attendance with an uplifting message.
“Through it all, love has been constant. At profession, they promised to be true to God, to whom they gave, and want to continue to give, everything. They gave their love, knowing that God is the abiding focus of each life. This love is manifest in each tender relationship with God as well as bringing the unconditional love of God to those who need it desperately.”