85 years
Sr. Mary Maximilia Szarnowski, CSSF
“At 102 years of age, I have seen much in life, and God has been very good to me. My adventures brought me to many places where I could serve people of various needs.”
80 years
Sr. Charlotte Walby, IHM
“Celebrating 80 years of religious life has been a journey of dedicated service and prayer. I am deeply grateful to God and my community, the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who nurtured my consecrated life. All praise and thanks to God, Who grants jubilee to all in 2014!”
Sr. Mary Dina Klamecki, CSSF
“My sister, Sister Andrea, was an inspiration to me. I followed her to the Felician Sisters. God put a wonderful fire within my heart to spread love and peace and to labor with Christ for the spiritual renewal of the world.”
75 years
Sr. Paraclita Schnebelt, IHM
“Celebrating 75 years of religious life has been ‘grace’-ful, wonderful, happy. I loved teaching, counseling and I’m grateful for having been educated at Marygrove (B.A.), Marquette University (M.A.) and by off-campus lecturers. I also taught calligraphy since I had learned to do that on my own and did many school bulletins. All happy times!”
Sr. Mary Anita Niemiec, CSSF
“The good Lord has blessed me with 75 precious years in the Felician Franciscan Community, and for this I am most grateful. I thank God for enabling me to serve Him in the field of education. What a joy it is as these students, now adults, continue to keep in touch. May God be praised! Deo Gratias!”
Sr. Mary Euphrasia Owczarzak, CSSF
“Celebrating 75 years of religious life has been a journey of faith, love and service. I am greatly humbled and deeply grateful for God’s call at an early age to serve Him, the world and the Church in the Felician Congregation.”
Sr. Mary Fidelis Szymkowiak, CSSF
“I am deeply grateful for the gift of my religious vocation, which was given to me at an early age. God has provided me with 75 long years to respond to His generosity. Deo gratias!”
Sr. Mary Luiza Wawrzyniak, CSSF
“Deo Gratias! I thank God and all my beautiful sisters and family who have shared my Felician journey. My heart is full of joy and hope.”
70 years
Sr. Marjorie Elizabeth Allen, RSM
“Celebrating 70 years of religious life has been finding a treasure hidden in a field and buying that field.”
Sr. Edwarda (Marguerite) Gibbs, IHM
“I have been enriched from my years of providing a Workshops Way environment where children couldn’t wait to get to school each day — where all children were “smart” and were able to grow each day. I loved teaching teachers how to be better teachers and as a result, better people.”
Sr. Marie Gabriel Hungerman, IHM
“Celebrating 70 years of religious life has been an honor and a grace for which I am so grateful. My vocation as an IHM sister has given me a life full of opportunities and challenges: to serve in educational ministry and to grow in understanding, love and awe of our compassionate God.”
Sr. Valerie Zielinski, OP
“Celebrating 70 years of religious life has been a blessing and gift to me. When I consider the wonderful opportunities I’ve had in meeting and serving thousands of parents, teachers and children, I realize that God has a specific plan for women called to the consecrated life. To me, religious life is being focused on Jesus, knowing that everything is permeated with His Guidance in all I do.”
Sr. Jane Mackowiak, RSM
No reflection
Fr. Rupert Dorn, OFM Cap.
“We are guests in God’s beautiful world. He is lavish with his hospitality. We can do no less than be hospitable to others, especially to our own Capuchin brothers.”
Sr. Audrey (Vinciana) Bushell, IHM
“Celebrating 70 years of religious life has been great. I loved teaching and taught for 49 years in grades 3 through 12. I was an art teacher for many years. My paintings can be found throughout our motherhouse building. My brother, Pat, lives here also. We visit often. My day now is filled with prayer, socializing and relaxing.”
Sr. Ursula Hughes, IHM
“Celebrating 70 years of religious life has been a journey of love. I transferred from the Philadelphia IHMs in February 1983 and made my profession in Monroe in October 1985. I have been blessed to serve in elementary and secondary education in the East and Michigan and Zimbabwe.”
Sr. Mary Elise Milostan, CSSF
“As I reflect upon the past 70 years in religious life, my gratitude only grows as I ponder the abundant blessings bestowed upon me as a Felician Sister. God has been very good to me.”
Sr. Mary Janet Gapinski, CSSF
“Celebrating 70 years in religious life makes me realize how much I have been blessed by God with countless spiritual and professional blessings. Kindness to my students was one of many ways that I did God’s work with grace! Loving memories of my family, Felician Sisters, friends and students live on in my heart.”
Sr. Mary Patricia Pyszynski, CSSF
“Reflecting back upon my 70 years as a Felician Franciscan sister, I feel blessed that Christ has called me to His service. I have been in the Lord’s service as a teacher, religious education coordinator, RCIA teacher, principal and choir member. Now, in my later years, my ministry is one of prayer — to pray for all those who are in need of prayer each day.”
65 years
Fr. Campion Baer, OFM Cap.
“I am grateful that my years in the order allowed me to live in a variety of supportive communities and engage in different types of ministries (including teaching, writing and mission work).”
Sr. Mary Duane Rydel, CSSF
“I have united myself to Jesus and Mary and have tried my best to share their joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries in the varied moments of my life. Community and family have supported me in the many opportunities to share the gifts and talents God has given me.”
Sr. Mary Eileen Malolepsza, CSSF
“I am grateful for my vocation and all the experiences that I have had as a teacher, principal and formation director. I am grateful for my family and the great faith that they have instilled in me and the lessons they have taught me.”
Sr. Mary Eucharita Wisk, CSSF
“Celebrating 65 years of religious life has been a joy and a wish fulfilled from early childhood. Lord, allow me always to accept your unconditional love by following in the steps of Blessed Mary Angela by being Eucharist, gift received, and gift given.”
Sr. Mary Frederick Bieszke, CSSF
“I have been blessed to journey in faith as a Felician Sister. Striving ‘to be Eucharist, sister, and servant to all,’ my life in education and health care has been rewarding. I am grateful for my vocation.”
Sr. Mary Gloria Ertman, CSSF
“Since my childhood days of being in church with my father, a church musician, I have loved the Church. My years as an educator have been a time of trying to witness the goodness of God and trying to lead those in my charge to a closer following of His way.”
Sr. Mary Martinez Rozek, CSSF
“Celebrating 65 years of religious life has been fulfilling as a Felician Sister. The good Lord has provided so many opportunities to learn about His ways.”
Sr. Mary Serra Szalaszewicz, CSSF
“My years in religious life and ministry have taught me the importance of the words of Micah 6:8: ‘This is what the Lord asks of you, only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God.’”
60 years
Sr. John Fisher (Jane) Farrell, IHM
“Celebrating 60 years of religious life has been a great adventure. I wouldn’t have missed it!”
Sr. Mary McDevitt, IHM
“When I was ready to enter religious life, it was no surprise that this graduate of Gesu Grade School and Immaculata High applied to the IHM Sisters. After 60 years within the IHMs, I have experienced life at once grace-filled and challenging. As Sr. Mary Immaculate and then Sr. Mary McDevitt, I have enjoy many life-giving ministries. For the first 20 years I worked within the framework of the congregation’s own structure, specializing in the areas of theology and spirituality. This assisted me in our IHM teamwork of helping to establish houses of prayer in Michigan and throughout the U.S. When I completed my education in Toronto, I worked at a rehabilitation center called Southdown for about eight years in rural Aurora, Ontario. Then I moved to the city of Toronto to do pastoral work in the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. In 2000 I moved back to Farmington Hills and taught spiritual theology and field education at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary for an enjoyable six years. My current ministry is at Visitation North Spirituality Center in the areas of retreat work and spiritual direction.”
Fr. Paschal Siler, OFM Cap.
“I am grateful to God for the opportunity to serve in so many different places and to learn from the many people I have served. I am eternally grateful to God for being in a community where I can draw closer to Christ and bring Christ to others.” (Fr. Siler is a former vice postulator for the cause of Ven. Solanus Casey from 1966-73 and lived with Fr. Solanus in Huntington, Ind.)
Sr. Faith Kravat, OSF
“Celebrating 60 years of religious life has been filled with many graces and blessings. I am thankful for the gift of serving God’s people faithfully.”
Sr. Cynthia Ann Machlik, CSSF
“Lord, I thank you for the way you mysteriously weave the pattern of my life, and for treasured moments with those who daily cross my path. Gifted with many blessings and joys, and with your hand guiding my every step, may I respond with strength and courage, ‘to act justly, to love tenderly, and walk humbly, with you, my God.’”
50 years
Fr. Michael Sheehy, CMM
“The Lord has given me so many blessings in my life. All I can do is thank Him.”
Sr. Kathleen Stafford, DC
“Celebrating 50 years of religious life has been very rewarding and humbling. My primary ministry has been as teacher and administrator in Catholic schools. My students have taught me as much as I taught them. I thank God for His continued goodness to me and pray that other women experience the joys of religious life.”
Bro. Michael Gaffney, OFM Cap.
“I have been very blessed in many ways. My life has been a happy one. I ended up doing what I dreamed of as a boy. I lived with many holy Capuchins who have had and still have a huge influence on my life. It is because of them that I am still a Capuchin Friar.”
Sr. Cecilia Bondy, OSF
“Celebrating 50 years of religious life has been a joyful journey of living in fraternity — truly a glimpse of heavenly life. I am ever grateful for the grace to respond to the gift of religious life.”
Sr. Mary Kelly, RSM
“Celebrating 50 years of religious life has been an experience of deep gratitude. My life has been shaped by the Works of Mercy — teaching, health care, sheltering the homeless — and by my Sisters in Mercy with whom I experience the privilege of sharing God’s Mercy with, and learning from, those we serve.”
Sr. Margretta Wojcik, OSF
“Celebrating 50 years of religious life has been: a grace; a mystery — why me?; a privilege; a blessing; a challenge; a journey and relationship with my Spouse; a sharing of faith; a participation in the mission of the Church. I say “THANKS” for all that has been and “YES” for all that will be.”
Sr. Mary Alice Ann Gradowski, CSSF
“Religious life has been a true pleasure. Thank you to all who have helped me. I greatly appreciate your prayers and your friendship.”
Sr. Mary Theresann Zywicki, CSSF
“Celebrating 50 years of religious life has been a blessing for which I am very grateful. I thank God daily for my religious vocation as a Felician Franciscan Sister. I am thankful for the support of my family, the encouragement of my sisters in community, and for God’s grace to continue to serve His people. God be praised!”
25 years
Sr. Bernadette Marie Jimkoski, CSSF
“God has blessed me with many graces during the past 25 years as a Felician Sister. Sharing a life of prayer, community and various ministries makes me grateful for the gift of my vocation. I thank Him daily for all the graces received as a religious in the Felician community.”
Fr. Phil Paxton, CP
“Celebrating 25 years of religious life has been fulfilling. It has been both exhilarating and humbling. Even when I get discouraged, I know I am where I’m supposed to be. Doing God’s will is not always easy, but it does bring peace and joy.”
Sr. Darlene Marie Schoenherr, CSSF
“As I celebrate being a Felician Sister for 25 years, I’m grateful to my parents who have gifted me with life, and nurtured and enhanced me spiritually with their faith. I thank God for the gift of my vocation and all who have journeyed with me and supported me.”
