Sister Marie Paul, Sister Mary Judeen, Sister Betty Mae, Archbishop Jose Gomez, Sister Mary Joann, Sister Mary Regina, Sister Mary Florette, Sister Mary Jolisa, Sister Mary Karlynn & Sister Mary Anncarla.
Sister Mary Jolisa Lazaro was celebrating her 50th golden jubilee of serving the Lord. Other jubilarians of 70 years, 60 years, 50 years and 40 years joined her – ten jubilarians, with one Sister Kathleen, Ruby Jubilarian celebrating in Rome. She emulated joyful simplicity, trust and intercultural solidarity and affection towards all diverse cultures. Seven of her tables came from families she taught at: St. Lawrence of Brindisi in Watts, St. Anthony In Long Beach, Notre Dame Academy and now, St. Lucy’s in Long Beach. With her permission, I took photos to document this jubilarian celebration.
15 priests concelebrated with Archbishop Jose Gomez and 2 Deacons assisted at the Liturgy. There were about 300 guests in attendance.
In total there were 10 SND Jubilarians. 9 celebrated and renewed vows at St. Jude in Westlake Village. The 10th Jubilarian is currently ministering in Rome.
We were welcomed by Sister Mary Paulynne. Many more were warmly ushered to go inside St. Jude in Westlake Village. It was a concelebrated mass by Archbishop Jose Gomez, with seventeen priests, one of whom was Fr. Freddie Chua. Hundreds came to attend mass.
It was a beautiful mass, a renewal of vows by the Jubilarians:”Eternal Triune God, trusting in your faithful love, I renew my vows to live as a Sister of Notre Dame, following Jesus Christ in chastity, poverty and obedience…”: With the vows, they expressed commitment to do their apostolic mission and asked for the grace through Our Lady to fulfill the mission of their congregation.
What is that mission: “help to give this city its heart, the heart of Jesus,” as Archbishop Jose Gomez asserted in his homily. He recognized the longevity of the mission of these nuns who brought the congregation to the US, to serve the poor and the immigrants.
“The reason for our vocation,” he said, “is based on our friendship with Jesus Christ. We do nothing out of selfishness, we gather and regard others as more important than ourselves. We live for others, recognize others to have great worth and value, as ourselves.”
Recognizable amongst the sisters is their joyful simplicity and trust to help and support one another as their trust in Jesus Christ. I sensed Sr. Jolisa always looking out to help elder sisters.
Photos were taken after and a reception of healthy fare followed at La Reina Catholic School for Girls. “Just as you are my Father’s gift to me, Sister Jubilarians, you are God’s gift to us.”
The concept of who you are, a gift from the Lord, was echoed in the actions of families at the different tables. They were solicitous in attention, generosity of Spirit and of course, laughter and stories shared with my paternal cousins, nephews and more.
Archbishop Jose Gomez congratulated the ten Sisters of Notre Dame for their fidelity, vocation and ministry.
“Your witness in God’s word and grace is an inspiration to me,” he said, “as for your fidelity, I praise you.”
These sisters were seemingly integrated in Spirit with the attendees. It was a beautiful sacred gift of witnessing holy women/servants of God.
It was beautiful to see the four themes of Sisters of Notre Dame’s educational principles at La Reina: centrality of a good and provident God; Gospel witness; recognition of human dignity as an image of God; integrated education for transformation.
If all these 4 principles were actualized by every priest, bishop, archbishop, cardinal, as the parishioners, we truly will have a renewed Catholic Church, robust and vibrant and ever expanding in the United States.
Thank you Sisters of Notre Dame, you are an inspiration to me!