Sisters’ dedication celebrated in Jubilarian Mass
By Kate Reilly Lund
Correspondent
To many, the Religious women who make a lifetime dedication to the work of the Lord do so in place of marriage. Those who know understand that being a Sister is a marriage – a marriage to God. Those celebrating vows of 50, 60 and even 70 years were honored by Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski during a Jubilarian Mass Nov. 7 in the chapel of Immaculata High School, Somerville.
“We have been given a special gift in the Diocese of Metuchen in the commitment that these Religious women have made to a lifetime of dedication to the work of the Lord and to their relationship with God,” the bishop said. “Today is a day of thanksgiving for the joy that you have brought to us and to your communities, a celebration of the lifetime relationship that you have lived in the love of God and for the good works that you have done.”
The life of a Religious is based on the Acts of the Apostles where the first Christians lived in community, pooled there resources and worked together spreading the love of the Lord. “They are an example, a vital example, of what we need in our Church today,” said Bishop Bootkoski. “We need the commitment of people who will say ‘yes’ to the work of the Lord for a lifetime. It is difficult to have people make this commitment.”
That commitment is especially difficult when compared to traditional marriage, where half fail because the people involved cannot persevere. “They are an extraordinary example and a joy to us,” the bishop said. “These Religious women have made immeasurable contributions in their lives in education, social services and missionary work.
Bishop Bootkoski compared entering into religious life to a dating relationship that eventually leads to marriage. He said the first expression of interest is much like infatuation that “changes to a deeper love,” and that the experience includes the ups and downs that come with any relationship.
“There are changes in your life, changes in the world, changes in the community and changes in the Church,” he said, “but the love that you experience is faithful love, faithful to the Lord.”
Jesus our Hope Sister Julia Jamink, diocesan delegate for religious, prepared the jubilarian event. Celebrating their golden jubilee were the readers at the Mass, Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Mary Birster, Little Servant Sister M. Ursula Trela and Felician Sister Mary Michaelita Wiechetek. The Immaculata High School Orchestra and Choir also performed during the Mass.
Bishop Bootkoski joined each of the sisters as they renewed their vows and gave each a commemorative gift. He compared religious life to a quote from Jesus in the Gospel, “I am the vine and you are the branches,” saying it is a true extension of God’s love. “Community life can be difficult because you have to adjust yourselves to living with people that might be difficult, or a mission that is difficult,” he explained. “You adjust to making changes frequently, being called to different ministries and finding it difficult to make a move, to start all over again, leaving behind people and work that you really love. In community you are called to a state of obedience that you must be faithful to.”
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law