Religious of the Archdiocese celebrated at annual Consecrated Life Mass

The charisms of the women and men religious in the Archdiocese of Newark enrich the Church, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., said at the annual Consecrated Life Mass.

“In the five years that I’ve served this local church, I’ve begun to glimpse the richness of the Archdiocese of Newark, and I thank God for calling you to your institutes, but I thank God that your institutes felt the call to come to Newark,” the Cardinal said to about 100 religious gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark earlier this month. The Mass was also livestreamed.

In its 25th year, the Mass honors women and men committed to consecrated or religious life. It has become a beloved tradition among its 52 congregations of religious women, 22 congregations of religious men, three consecrated virgins, one consecrated hermit, and numerous secular institutes. There are also those in apostolic societies and those in private vows.

“We are so blessed in this archdiocese to have so many women and men in consecrated life that grace our Church,” said Sister Patricia Wormann, O.P., the Delegate for Religious for the Archdiocese of Newark.

A vocation to consecrated life is one in which an individual is dedicated completely to love and live for God and His Church. World Day for Consecrated Life was celebrated in the universal Church on Feb. 2 and in parishes that weekend.

“These men and women gift our Church with a diversity of gifts, charisms, spiritualities, and cultures from all over the world,” Sister Patricia said. “Those in consecrated life are the prophetic voice of the Church.”

Cardinal Tobin exhorted his religious sisters and brothers gathered at the Cathedral and prayed they might be of one heart in order to prompt each other in the pursuit of charity and good works.

“So that through a holy way of life they may always and everywhere be true witnesses to Christ who lives and reigns forever and ever,” he prayed.

Those who attended the Mass stood and renewed their commitment to religious life with Cardinal Tobin, also a religious with the congregation known as the Redemptorists. Together they promised to serve God faithfully in poverty, chastity, and obedience. They also prayed for vocations to religious life and for support of the Church for those who have responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to be a consecrated person during the general intercessions.

In addition to recognizing the work of those in consecrated life, the Mass also acknowledged religious celebrating anniversaries in the Church. Each of their names was read, and those in attendance received a congratulatory card from Cardinal Tobin. A donation in the names of each celebrant will be made to a charitable cause, and a gathering in their honor will be held later this year.

“We celebrate with joy our jubilarians today,” Sister Patricia said. “Those among us who celebrate anniversaries comprise over 2,500 years of loving service to God’s people. It is a joy to celebrate with them.”

To learn more about the Vocations for Religious Life in the Archdiocese of Newark, visit the website.

Names of Jubilarians honored

25 years

Consecrated Virgins

Irene Tevi-Benissan (26)

Donna Cole

Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

Br. Thomas McGrinder, CFR

Sisters of Saint Martha

Sister Sini Rose, CSM

50 Years

Dominican Sisters of Caldwell:

Sister Marie Mueller, OP

60 Years

Felician Sisters:

Sister Mary Angelica Smialowicz, CSSF

Sister Lenore Marie Murawski, CSSF

Sister Lisa Marie DiSabatino, CSSF

Sister Dorothy Mary Sajczuk, CSSF

Sister Mary Barbara Ann Kemmerer, CSSF

Sister Donna Marie Trukowski, CSSF

Sisters of Charity:

Sister Lillian Sharrock, SC

Sisters of Saint John the Baptist:

Sister Regina McTiernan, CSJB

Sisters of Mercy:

Sister Loretta Fernandez, RSM

Sisters of the Divine Compassion:

Sr. Ann Kavanagh, RDC

65 Years

Dominican Sisters of Caldwell:

Sister Lois Kikkert, OP

Sister Barbara Krug, OP

Sister Patricia Mahoney, OP

Sister Ann Monica Seeman, OP

Sister Alice Uhl, OP

Sisters of Charity:

Sister Claire Donnelly, SC

Sister Barbara Gnecco, SC

Sister Mary; Anne Katlack, SC

Sister Maria Cordis Lamendola, SC

Sister Rita O’Farrell, SC

70 Years

Felician Sisters:

Sister Mary Adele Bandurski, CSSF

Sister Marie Barbara Szot, CSSF

Sister Marlene Marie Sliwka, CSSF

Sisters of Charity:

Sister Lillian Silkowski, SC

Sister Margaret Welch, SC

Sisters of Mercy:

Sister Percylee Hart, RSM

75 Years

Felician Sisters:

Sister Mary Charlotte Wszolek, CSSF

Sister Mary Agatha Cebula, CSSF

Sisters of Charity:

Sister Mary Canavan, SC

Sister Mary Celine Laskey, SC

Sister Mary Theresa Regan, SC

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Additional reporting by Sean Quinn.