SEWELL – In a joyful celebration of faith and service, the Diocese of Camden honored religious men and women during the annual World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life at Church of the Holy Family.
Bishop Dennis Sullivan led the Feb. 1 liturgy, expressing deep gratitude for the religious’ unwavering commitment to their communities and to God.
“With trust and faith, our jubilarians made their decision to leave their former lives and seek Christ the Lord through the evangelical counsels and the charism of their community,” Bishop Sullivan said.
During the Mass, jubilarians marking 25, 50, 60 and 70 years of religious life stood before Bishop Sullivan, Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Williams, their religious communities, diocesan priests and faithful well-wishers to renew their vows.
“Eternal triune God, grant me the grace to live my vows faithfully,” they pledged, reaffirming their lifelong commitment to serving the Church.
Photo Gallery: Mass for Consecrated Life
A Call of the Heart
Following the liturgy, the celebration continued with a luncheon and fellowship in the parish’s Aquin Center, where jubilarians and fellow religious reflected on their journeys and the profound joy found in their vocations.
For Sister Philomena Nowicka, celebrating 70 years in religious life, gratitude for God’s grace is at the heart of her journey.
“I am a cell in the mystical body of Christ,” said Sister Philomena, who entered the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in South Africa at age 16. Since 1977, she has served in the congregation’s Cherry Hill Provincialate, working in formation, education and leadership.
Her decades of ministry have brought her face-to-face with individuals from all walks of life –children from broken homes, people battling addiction, and those struggling with anger and pain.
“I have worked amongst people with backgrounds in narcotics, abuse, anger, hatred,” she shared, always striving to help them find reconciliation and renewal in Christ. “As different as they are, I see the image of God in each one. They’re so inspirational to me.”
Brother John Hannan, a novice with the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God in Westville Grove, explained how he found his vocation later in life. At age 59, after a career as a soccer coach in Chicago, he answered a calling that had been on his heart for years.
“It was always a desire that God placed in my heart,” he said. Now five years into an eight-year discernment process, he serves those with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Saint John of God Community Services and Archbishop Damiano School.
“I’m at peace; it’s a beautiful life,” Brother Hannan reflected.
Faith in Action
Sister Maria Horstmann, a Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, celebrated her 60th jubilee, cherishing the opportunity to mark the occasion with her religious sisters and the diocesan community.
For the past five years, she has been a familiar presence at Saint John Neumann Parish in North Cape May, teaching Spanish to senior citizens and English to immigrants.
A Philadelphia native, Sister Maria spent 28 years serving in Peru and Chile before returning to the United States.
“What keeps me going is God’s grace and the joy I find working with the people,” she said. “Seeing my students’ desire to learn and connect with their brothers and sisters gives me life. They’re a gift from God.”
A Dedicated Brotherhood
Brother James Beamesderfer, SAC, has been a Pallottine for 35 years, He has dedicated his religious life to education, serving at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Pennsauken, first as a teacher, then as dean of students. Now, he is rector and head of school.
His calling began in grade school in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa., but it was in high school –through the example of the Daughters of Mercy – that he discovered the Pallottine charism to “revive faith and rekindle charity.”
Reflecting on his vocation, he described a life filled with “peace, contentment and joy.” He hopes his work with young people will inspire others to consider religious life.
“More young people should look at the religious life,” he said. “They should see how God fills our lives.”
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