Sisters of Charity celebrate anniversaries
On Aug. 21, the Sisters of Christian Charity celebrated the 173rd anniversary of the founding of the Congregation and the anniversaries of 15 Sisters. The Eucharistic Liturgy was celebrated in the Chapel of Mary Immaculate at Mallinckrodt Convent in Mendham. The celebrant was Most Rev. Kevin J. Sweeney, Bishop of Paterson.
The following Sisters celebrated their anniversaries in Consecrated Life:
80 years:
Sister Martina Reuther
75 years:
Sister Immaculata Arboline, born in Netcong, N.J.; nurse at our Motherhouse in Mendham
Sister Felice Donelin, Teacher and Principal in schools in the diocese of Paterson, Metuchen and Newark
Sister Patricia Murphy, served as teacher in Diocese of Newark
Sister Mary Marzen
70 years:
Sister Virginia Ann Barry, born in Orange, N.J. ; served as teacher / DRE in schools / parishes in Diocese of Paterson and Newark
Sister Ann Marie Kase
Sister Gracemary Shalvey
60 years:
Sister Joanne Bednar, born in Boonton, N.J.; graduate of Morris Catholic HS; served as a teacher in diocese of Paterson and as Delegate for Religious in Newark
Sister Mary Dorothy Kelly, served as teacher in schools in the diocese of Paterson and Metuchen
Sister Adalberta Mette
Sister Laura Berryman
50 years:
Sister Mary Joseph Schultz, served as teacher and Campus Minister and at St. Paul’s Outside the Walls in Paterson Diocese
40 years:
Sister Mary Dominic Kopitar, born in Passaic; served as Provincial Secretary for the Srs. of Christian Charity in Mendham in Paterson Diocese
Sister Maria Angelina Rivarola
The celebration included a special offer of congratulations to Bishop Sweeney, who is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
During the afternoon of August 21, the Sisters took part in their annual Commissioning Service, which marks the beginning of a new “apostolic year” in their ministries. A “Sending Forth” blessing was imparted on four Sisters who will be sent to serve in other countries of the Congregation during the next several months: Sister Mary Amata Reifsnyder (Germany), Sister Luiza Simon (Philippines), Sister John Paul Thorley and Sister Sophia Marie Peralta (Argentina).
The Sisters of Christian Charity were founded in 1849 in Paderborn, Germany, by Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt. They are an international community with Sisters serving in the United States, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Germany and the Philippines.
In the United States, the Sisters of Christian Charity serve in the Archdioceses of Newark, NJ; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL and New Orleans, LA; and in the Dioceses of Camden, Metuchen and Paterson (in New Jersey), the Dioceses of Allentown, Harrisburg and Scranton (in Pennsylvania), the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia.
Featured Photo: Seated (left to right): Sister Ann Marie Kase (70), Sister Gracemary Shalvey (70), Sister Immaculata Arboline (75), Sister Martina Reuther (80), Sister Virginia Ann Barry (70), Sister Mary Marzen (70), Sister Patricia Murphy (70), Sister Felice Donelin (70). Standing (left to right): Sister Joann Marie Aumand (Provincial Superior), Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney (25), Sister Maria del Rosario Castro (General Superior), Sister Joanne Bednar (60), Sister Laura Berryman (60), Sister Adalberta Mette (60), Sister Mary Dorothy Kelly (60), Sister Maria Angelina Rivarola (40), Sister Mary Dominic Kopitar (40), Sister Mary Joseph Schultz (50). (COURTESY SISTERS OF CHARITY)
