Women religious celebrate jubilees of service

Intermountain Catholic

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Six of the seven women religious celebrating their jubilees stand in the chapel of Mount Benedict Priory to renew their vows and promises. The Jubilee Sisters include (from left) Holy Cross Sisters Yvonne Hatt and Joseph Cecile Voelker, Daughter of Charity Sister Germaine Sarrazin, Holy Cross Sister Suzanne Brennan, Missionary Sister Paula Welnitz, and Benedictine Sister Virgene Marx. IC photo by Barbara S. Lee

OGDEN — Twenty-nine women religious gathered April 12 at Mount Benedict Priory in Ogden to celebrate the years of service and prayer lived by seven sisters currently serving in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

Jubilarian sisters celebrated 40 years of religious life, 50 years, and 60 years. Holy Cross Sister Suzanne Brennan of Holy Cross Ministries marked 40 years of religious life. Daughter of Charity Sister Germaine Sarrazin, who serves with the Ladies of Charity and tutors elementary school students; Holy Cross Sister Joseph Cecile Voelker, pastoral associate, St. Joseph Parish, Ogden; Holy Cross Sister Yvonne Hatt, Pastoral associate in Cedar City and other parts of Southern Utah; and Carmelite Sister Mary Ann Krajicek of the cloistered Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary are celebrating 50 years of religious life. Benedictine Sister Virgene Marx of Mount Benedict Priory; and Missionary Sister Paula Wellnitz of Home Place in Orangeville are marking 60 years of religious life.

Carmelite Sister Mary Ann Krajicek could not attend the jubilee gathering because of her cloistered state.

Most Reverend Bishop John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, spoke with all the sisters prior to the Mass. They discussed gifts and challenges present in the diocese.

"We appreciate your deep commitment to the Gospel," the bishop told the sisters. You are an example to all of us of Church. Through you we are energized and we are inspired by your closeness to the people in the diocese.

During the Jubilee Mass which was rich with music, Bishop Wester encouraged all the women religious to use Mary, the mother of Jesus, as their example. "God called Mary through the angel," he said. "And you draw us to God. We can look at Mary’s experience and example and gain some insight into yours."

The bishop said Mary’s first response to the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation was probably fear, confusion, and silence. "We all have moments of fear, confusion, and silence in the presence of God who called you to himself... God took you by the hand and he gave you the words to speak.

"Your years of dedicated service touch our hearts and allay our fears. That even one of us is called to the professed life is a symbol of God in our midst."

The bishop encouraged the jubilee sisters and their colleagues not to be afraid, and to have faith that Christ will give them the words they need to speak and spread the Word of God.

The theme of the jubilee Mass was, "I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart." The Mass was followed by a jubilee luncheon.