Although she does not speak English fluently, language has never been a barrier for Vocationist Sister Lucia Spinelli, who speaks fluently with her heart. Sister Lucia, of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville, is marking her 60th anniversary in consecrated life and has much to reflect on during her journey thus far.

Thankful. Grateful. Blessed. These three eloquent words encapsulate what Sister Michaelita Popovice’s 60 years as a religious in the Sisters of Mercy order mean to her. “I use that [phrase] a lot,” she said. “It’s true.”

“Amen, Alleluia” was the motto Sister Kathleen McDonnell chose to guide her life when she entered the Sisters of Mercy six decades ago. “Amen means saying ‘yes,’ to whatever God wants and Alleluia means be happy about it,” she explained.

To Christian Charity Sister Mary Martha Garzon, religion is not taught, it is caught from our families and others in our lives. Sister Mary Martha’s family impressed upon her from an early age the importance of prayer and keeping a devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and for that, she could not be more grateful.

For the past six decades, Mercy Sister Kathleen Curnyn has served in many different ministries and as she celebrates her 60th jubilee, emphatically states, “I would do it again. I wouldn’t question. I would enter the Sisters of Mercy and be of service to the people of God.”   

When Mercy Sister Lee Ann Amico’s parents learned that their daughter was going to enter the convent, she said her mother told her father, “Let her go and try this. She will probably only last 15 minutes.” This year Sister Lee Ann is celebrating her 60th jubilee as a Mercy Sister, and during the past six decades has accomplished much more than even she could have imagined.

Faith-filled parents and a solid Catholic education may have lit the spark of religious life for Mary Gomolka, but it was sage advice from a priest which set in motion her lifelong love of music and decades of service as a Sister of Mercy.

Mercy Sister Faith Moore credits her God-focused service to the good sisters of Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, who nurtured and formed her during her high school years.

Reflecting on her 75th jubilee as a religious, Mercy Sister Rita McGurk said, “Gratitude is the first thing that comes to my mind.”

“It’s been a wonderful life,” asserted Mercy Sister Valerie Balbach, who is celebrating her 80th jubilee this year.

Brother Logan Murray, a native of Chicago, was drawn to the Brotherhood of Hope through his time at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.

Life as a religious was not something Brother Ray Morris imagined for himself while growing up. In fact, when he chose to attend Rutgers University, the Catholic Center on campus and the Brothers of Hope who minister there were nowhere on his radar.

“No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that refuge clinging Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth  How can I keep from singing? — from “How Can I Keep From Singing?”

KENDALL PARK — A modern-day saint who encountered God in the midst of her captivity was honored Feb. 7 at a Mass at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church.

EAST BRUNSWICK — Thanks to the support of the faithful for the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, which funds Catholic Charities, individuals and families can turn to its Office of Parish Social Ministry for help with basic needs such as food, rent or utilities.

METUCHEN — Two modern-day disciples of Jesus hailing from St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, were celebrated for their decades of pro-life efforts during the Jan. 22 Respect Life Mass and Pro-Vita Award ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi.

Well, the sentence is in: “We’ve all been found guilty of sin.” But the Judge is clement — in fact, he is merciful. While we deserve a much more harsh punishment for our transgressions against his Laws — God has given us another chance to make things right. We are on probation for six weeks — 40 some days in which we, through prayer, fasting and charity, are called to turn our lives around for the better. We are to refrain from sinning and seek holiness wherever we can. We are to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel, which is to say, we are to be faithful to the Good News of God’s love made incarnate in Jesus.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,    Just a few days ago, we entered into the season of Lent — a time which calls us to sanctify our lives and unite ourselves more deeply with Christ through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. But it is also a season which leaves us ripe for renewal; a time in which we renew our encounter with Christ and give witness to His word, as well as mindfully participate in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, so that we may conform our lives to be more like His. 

As you may know, the Holy Father is participating in a virtual meeting today with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, with the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, and other leaders, marking the first-ever International Day of Human Fraternity. The meeting can be viewed by visiting the Vatican News website.

In December, tests for COVID-19 or the coronavirus were given at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s Unity Square, New Brunswick.