Women religious celebrated during jubilarian Mass, reception

“This is what the Church needs so desperately now … your intercession, your consecration” said Bishop James F. Checchio to 23 religious sisters celebrating significant anniversaries this year.

Bishop Checchio served as principal celebrant and homilist for a Sept. 9 Mass honoring and recognizing the gifts of these women, who, together have provided some 1,500 years of ministerial service to the Church.

The Mass, celebrated in Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, was an opportunity to thank them for all they have contributed on both a local and worldwide level.

Father Jonathan Toborowsky vicar general; Father Arlindo Paul Da Silva, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima, and Father Robert V. Meyers and Father Robert Pinnisi, parish parochial vicars served as concelebrants.

In his homily Bishop Checchio shared that two of his aunts were religious sisters and religious were often present around his home growing up.  He said their influence, “certainly helped shape me into the man that I am, the priest that I am, the Bishop that I am.”  He told the sisters gathered, “Our Diocese is certainly blessed by you and what you do and what you are, so I thank you.”

Bishop Checchio continued, “So many of our people gain strength just be seeing you. Without saying a word your presence gives hope and confidence that there is more to life than meets the eye. Your witness reminds us that what is needed is the eyes of faith to see rightly the things of this world, and put them in proper perspective.”

The Bishop acknowledged that religious consecrated women have heard the call, “to serve the least of our brothers and sisters as Jesus commands us in the Gospel today.  It is your intimacy with the Lord that everyone is hungering for. … I am also grateful, above all, that you are deep women of prayer.”

While assuring the sisters of his prayers for them Bishop Checchio asked, “for your continued prayers for the Diocese of Metuchen and for me, also.” 

At the conclusion of the Mass Sister of Christian Charity Anna Nguyen, the Delegate for Religious in the Diocese, thanked Bishop Checchio, “on behalf of all consecrated persons present as well as those not able to be with us, especially our Jubilarians of 2023.” 

Sister Anna also acknowledged and expressed her gratitude for the assistance of the Diocesan staff and to all who had contributed and participated in the day, noting, “How can we ever thank you sufficiently for your life lived in total giving for the Glory of God? We appreciate you, love you and depend on your power of witness and prayers.” 

During the reception which followed, Fathers Toborowsky and Da Silva, both celebrating their 25th ordination anniversary, were recognized for their service. Father Toborowsky said he was overwhelmed by the sisters’ cumulative years of service, adding, “I hope you will be able to celebrate Father Da Silva’s and my 50th Jubilee anniversary with us.” Father Da Silva agreed, saying, “I am inspired by you and your many years of service to the Church.”

Brother of the Sacred Heart Gary Humes, who teaches theology at St. Joseph High School, Metuchen, attended the Jubilee celebration along with Sacred Heart Brother Daniel St. Jacques.  Brother Gary, who celebrated his 25th anniversary as a consecrated religious in 2022, said, “We attended the Jubilee event, to show our support and appreciation to these Sister Jubilarians and all consecrated religious women for all that they do for our Church.”

Sister Annelyth Pandi, a Sister of Christian Charity for 25 years, has served in ministries outside the Diocese, ministering at her Order’s Mission for the Blind in the Philippines. Sister Annelyth acknowledged, “I was grateful for and agreed with Bishop Checchio’s mention of the witness that religious sisters give by their very presence in the world.”

Reflecting on the Mass and celebration, a number of Jubilarians shared their thoughts. Celebrating 60 years as a Sister of Mercy Mary Jo Kearns, on the staff of McAuley Health Care Center, Watchung, said, “I am delighted to be here and be part of this celebration. I am grateful to Bishop Checchio for celebrating the Mass and to Father Da Silva for inviting us to the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima.”

Also celebrating her 60th anniversary, Felician Sister Mary Rebecca Piatek spent many years in education as both a teacher and a principal. Now a pastoral associate in St. Helena Parish, Edison, she said, “How blessed I am to be a religious sister and to continue to share with so many sisters who make a difference in their Church and their communities, supported by those who serve both by prayer and suffering.”

Franciscan Sister Marie Therese Sherwood, celebrating 60 years as a religious sister, serves as the pastoral associate for social concerns in St Matthias Parish, Somerset. Sister Marie Therese considered the day to be a “grace filled opportunity to celebrate with and be a part of all the other sisters celebrating their Jubilees.”

Sister Mary Kim Tram, celebrating a vocation of 50 years, recently returned to the Diocese of Metuchen after serving in various ministries in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Sister Mary Kim is a nurse and worked in a number of hospitals both in her professional role and as a chaplain. Currently at the Sisters of Christian Charity Motherhouse, Mendham, Sister Mary Kim said that she was, “very grateful to be included in the Mass and reception recognizing all the sisters celebrating a Jubilee milestone.”

Third grade teacher Sister Bridget Harakal, who serves in St Francis Cathedral School, Metuchen, made her final profession as a Sister of Mercy in 2021. Although not a Jubilarian she found the Mass and the entire celebration to be an inspiration, saying, “To be able to celebrate with all these sisters and their years of service to the Church was a great gift to me.”