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Sisters celebrating significant anniversaries of religious life pose on the front steps of the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield on Oct. 30 with Archbishop Henry J. Mansell; Father James F. Kinnane, vicar for religious; and Sister Mary Kelly of the Sisters of St. Joseph, director of the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Office for Religious. From left in front row are Sister Mary Palance of the Religious Teachers Filippini, 70 years; Sister of St. Joseph Rosemary Wrinn, 50 years; the Archbishop; Sister Rose Marie Dubay of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 50 years; and Sister Mary Deborah Blados of the Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception, 50 years. Behind them, from left, are Dominican Sister Valerie Noone, 50 years; Sister Jilda Marie Chabot of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, 25 years; Felician Sister Mary Rosalma Fish, 50 years; Sister Francesca DiFederico of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 65 years; Sister of Mercy Carol Beaudoin, 50 years; Felician Sister Joan Marie Swierzb, 50 years; Sister Mary Kelly; and Father Kinnane. (Photo by Father Jeffrey V. Romans)
BLOOMFIELD – One hundred thirty people were on hand Oct. 30 to celebrate 11 sisters for their collective 560 years of religious life.
Archbishop Henry J. Mansell presided at a Mass in the chapel of the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary for Jubilee Day, the Archdiocese’s annual celebration of women religious who are marking significant anniversaries in their religious lives.
Sister Mary Palance of the Religious Teachers Filippini was honored for her 70th anniversary, and Sister Francesca DiFederico of the Sisters of St. Joseph was celebrated for her 65 years of ministry..
Golden jubilarians who were honored are Sister Siena Marie Wahl of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, Sister Mary Deborah Blados of the Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception; Felician Sisters Joan Marie Swierzb and Mary Rosalma Fish, Sister Carol Beaudoin of the Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of St. Joseph Rose Marie Dubay and Rosemary Wrinn, and Dominican Sister Valerie Noone.
Sister Jilda Marie Chabot, who is marking her silver anniversary of religious life as a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, also was among the honorees.
In blessing the jubilarians, Archbishop Mansell prayed, in part, "Most merciful God, our desire to serve you is itself your gift to us. Our perseverance needs your guiding hand. We pray with heartfelt mercy that you will send the fire of your Spirit into the hearts of these your daughters…"
The Archbishop preached the homily, in which he thanked the sisters for their years of service to God.
Concelebrating the Mass were Father James. F. Kinnane, vicar for religious; and Father Roland LaPlante of Bloomfield.
A reception followed in the main dining room.
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