By Chris Donahue
Staff Writer

Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski thanked and congratulated 21 members of the diocese who were honored for decades of service in the annual Anniversary Mass for Religious, Shout & Sing for Joy.

The 20 sisters and one brother who were honored Nov. 16 in the chapel of Immaculata High School, Somerville, reached milestones of 25, 50, 60 and 70 years of service in 2003, said Jesus Our Hope Sister Julia Jamink, diocesan delegate for religious.

In his homily, Bishop Bootkoski told the honorees that mirroring the life of Jesus should always be their goal.

"Jesus came to cure the sick and feed those who were hungry," Bishop Bootkoski said. "But his motivation was always more than just taking care of the present. He always had the focus of looking at the Father and what life is all about. You are living that life now. You are the witness to us that there is more to life than what meets eye."

Sacred Heart Brother Paul Joseph La Fonte, 52, a physics and math teacher at St. Joseph High School, Metuchen, is celebrating 25 years.

"The students are like a gift to me. It has made the time go by very quickly. I’m very fortunate to be part of their lives," Brother Paul said.

"There always have been difficulties. But I never had any doubts. I wanted to be a religious since I was 10 years old," he added.

Brother Paul said anyone who’s thinking of a religious vocation should explore different orders to find the one that’s most suited to their talents and their identities.

Religious Teacher Filippini Sister Tomasina Moffo is celebrating 70 years of service. She serves the community of St. Mary of Mount Virgin Parish, New Brunswick, by teaching religion in the elementary school and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

"I had this (vocation) desire from my childhood. And I’ve been happy through all these years, joyful in his service," Sister Tomasina said.

Mercy Sister Elizabeth O’Hara is celebrating 50 years of service.

"I had the Mercies for 12 years in school. I think I was sort of born into it," said Sister Elizabeth, World Trade Center disaster relief coordinator for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen.

One of the greatest joys of the last 50 years is serving "among the finest human beings I ever met," she said.

Sister Elizabeth said she was inspired as a child by a picture in Our Lady of the Star Parish, Atlantic City.

"They had a picture of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem. And as a very small child I wanted to help Jesus because I didn’t want him to cry," Sister Elizabeth said.

For Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Sister Teresa Gradowska, who is also celebrating 25 years, her call came while growing up in Poland. Sister Teresa, who is also a registered nurse, said she almost died from scarlet fever when she was 12.

"When I opened my eyes (at home in bed), I didn’t see anybody but the sister next to me, saying the Rosary. I said, ‘When I grow up I want to be a sister, too!’"