With Bishop Joseph Williams, more than a half dozen priests and the superior delegate of their order in attendance, members of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Nyeri came together June 27 for a special Mass celebrating several sisters and honoring the more than 25-year legacy of their service in the Diocese of Camden.
The Mass, which took place at Divine Mercy Parish in Vineland, was centered on celebrating vocations – marking the 25th jubilee anniversary of Sister Helen Murage, as well as the perpetual professions of Sister Caroline Muriuki and Sister Mercy Thuku.
“It was a momentous occasion,” said Sister Helen, who made her first profession of vows in 2001. “To see that God continues to sustain me and to give me the grace that is necessary to continue to follow Him, I do not take for granted. [And] seeing Bishop, our shepherd, and all the other people who came to join me to say this big thank you, really brought a lot of joy in my heart.”
She added: “I felt a special blessing flowing from God above, looking at us and accepting our gratitude.”
Mass was celebrated by concelebrated by Father Joel Arciga-Camarillo, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish; as well as priests of the Apostles of Jesus Missionaries: Father Speratus Kamanzi, Father Richard Onyamwaro and Father Bruno Ndongo. Numerous priests of the Diocese concelebrated as well.
Following the prayer after Communion, Sister Helen shared remarks, followed by Sister Anne Mugo, the superior delegate of the order. Bishop Williams then spoke, recognizing the sisters and the faith-based service of members of the order. A reception following Mass provided the opportunity for continued celebration and fellowship.
For Sister Caroline and Sister Mercy, the celebration marked their final profession of vows following a decade of time spent with the congregation – four years of initial formation and then six years with the order.
“For 10 years, they have been walking the journey,” said Sister Helen. “It was a very momentous occasion for them, too.”
The congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Nyeri traces its roots to 1918, when a group of young women in Kenya started the order. The first members of the order to come to the United States arrived in South Jersey in September 1999.
“The first members of our community came to the Diocese of Camden, and they have been here since then,” said Sister Helen, who expressed their appreciation for the welcome and support they received, and continue to receive from the South Jersey Catholic community. “We have continued to experience the faithfulness of God and the support that we receive from the faithful of the Diocese of Camden.”
Today, 20 members of the congregation serve South Jersey, and other members are based in New York and Georgia.
Sister Helen grew up in Kenya, and came to the United States in November 2005. She has now spent more time in her vocation in America than in her home country, and while her family is still in Africa, she has found a family here, as well.
“I have encountered my brothers and sisters here in this country, fulfilling the Gospel of Jesus,” she said.
Sister Helen visited fellow members of her congregation and her own family to celebrate her anniversary during a visit to Kenya in January, and Sisters Caroline and Mercy had their own visit home in April to celebrate their final professions.
“When we came back here, we also had the opportunity to celebrate with the sisters who are serving with us in this country,” Sister Helen said, referring to the June 27 Mass.
Deacon Kirk Popiolek, of Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Haddon Heights – who served as the master of ceremonies for the day’s gathering – also found it to be cause for celebration.
“It is important for religious in our communities to really be celebrated,” he said. “The work that they do is tireless, and we need to bring focus and awareness to the religious life.”
The deacon added that he has heard Bishop Williams speak at length on vocations, and the gift that clergy and religious give of themselves to others, and to God.
“He emphasizes that it is a gift,” said Deacon Kirk. “It is a gift that you are giving to the Church, it is a gift that you are giving back to God. And that is very powerful.”
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