Diocese recognizes those in consecrated life
By Chris Donahue
Staff Writer
METUCHEN — The myriad roles filled by women and men in consecrated life may include service as school teachers, pastoral associates in parishes and days filled with prayer and contemplation in monasteries.
That dedication was recognized on the diocesan level at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral Feb. 4 with an Evening Prayer service held in conjunction with the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life.
Included in the ceremony was a special recognition of 13 jubilarians celebrating 50 or more years of service as religious. The jubilarians also renewed their vows.
Words of thanks
Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski, who led the prayer service, said “it is most important that the diocese recognizes religious men and women who have given up themselves so selflessly in so many different ministries.”
“You are truly an integral part of this diocese and are sorely needed,” the bishop added. “Your ministries are deeply appreciated. I’m sure that each year the people from the various parishes can attest to that.”
Bishop Bootkoski said he also has a special place in his heart for those in consecrated life because it was religious men and women who helped him consider a vocation to the priesthood.
Gifts of the Spirit
Benedictine Father Elias R. Lorenzo, diocesan vicar for religious, noted “how
wonderful are the gifts of the Spirit and even more wonderful is the manifold ways in which the Spirit works within the church.”
“Here we gather, the church at prayer with the bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated women and men and all the faithful,” Father Lorenzo added. “We are grateful to have representatives from parishes in every county of our diocese gathered with us in prayer this evening and we are especially delighted to have the young people from our Catholic elementary and high schools with us. The church at prayer would not be complete without the presence of our young men and women who are here today.”
Gaining wisdom
Sister of Christian Charity Mary Rose Mroz, pastoral associate at Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro, provided a reflection on the vocation of a religious, including her own spiritual journey.
Sister Mary said before she decided to enter religious life she wanted to be like the mothers she saw at Mass who also volunteered at parish events. After reluctantly attending a vocation day, she decided she wasn’t ready for a vocation but did begin attending daily Mass. Eventually, she heard God call her to religious life.
“For me, the story of the beginning of my vocation is also the beginning of God’s self-revelation to me,” she continued. “It is only now as I look back to the discerning of my vocation to religious life that I see how God inspired and guided me, gradually filling me with wisdom and knowledge, revealing himself to me in many and varied ways. If asked to picture God today I would draw things like water, rocks, trees or hands, and I cannot begin to know ways I will do so in the future.”
Decades of service
In a reception after the prayer service, several jubilarians in their 50th year of service shared the joys and spiritual fulfillment they have received from their vocations.
Mercy Sister Jane Hardy, who taught first grade for most of her teaching career, now teaches religion in the six grades at St. Matthew School, Edison.
“I love every second of teaching, especially preparing them for the sacraments,” Sister Jane said.
Sister Jane said the joy she saw in the religious women who were her teachers inspired her to enter religious life.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Regina Karen McNeil, who teaches religion and works in campus ministry at Immaculata High School, Somerville, said she had mixed feelings about entering religious life but felt she had to give it a try.
“God stuck by me and here I am today,” Sister Regina said. “I think my parents were my best role models.”
Sister Regina cited the support she receives from her fellow religious and the love she has for her students as the greatest joys.
“When I saw our kids here today that just touched my heart,” she said.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Dolores Margaret Murray, a music teacher at Immaculata High School, said the greatest joy she receives is seeing the musical gifts that God gives the students.
“The students help keep you young. They pull the energy out of you,” Sister Dolores said.
Mercy Sister Marie Pierson, a pastoral assistant at St. James Parish, Woodbridge, said the Mercy sisters who taught her in Catholic schools in South Amboy as well as her parents inspired her to a vocation.
“I’m working now mainly with adults and what gives me the most pleasure is seeing people’s desire to have God’s presence and to be faithful,” Sister Marie added. “People are so desirous to have a deeper spirituality in their lives. And the service that they give the church is unbelievable.”
Sister Marie said if someone is considering consecrated life, they should have clarity in their decision.
“Like anything else, you have to take a risk and if they have any kind of inclination they should follow it and let God do the rest,” Sister Marie added. “It doesn’t come right way. God reveals himself every day in so many ways. You just have to be a little alert to see where God is.”
*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