Photo by Alan Dumoff
Religious celebrating jubilees renew their vows before Bishop Joseph A. Galante during the World Day for Consecrated Life and Jubilee Celebrations at Holy Family Parish in Sewell on Saturday, Feb. 5. They are Sister Francesca Spaziani, DM; Sister Eleanor Eyerman, SCJP; Sister Eleanora Faiola, SCSJA; and Brother Albert Koch, SM, all 60 years; Sister Jean Spena, OP; Sister Maria DiRosa, FMIJ; Sister Angela Pia Camillotti, FMIJ; Sister Regina Raphael, SSJ; and Sister Frances Szymanska, LSIC, all 50 years; and Sister Leena Joseph, HSM, and Father Zbigniew Majcher, SDB, celebrating 25 years. Some 140 men and women religious attended the mass and luncheon.
The church celebrates this time in honor of Consecrated Life. I feel this is a time for us as religious men and women to reflect more deeply on our vocation. I know you would agree that, from the time that we entered religious life to the present day, our way of life has changed dramatically.
So, then we can say that our reasons for what we do and how we do it each day have also changed. For instance, we no longer can say that our ministries are solely operational because of our religious members. We now have men and women who work with us as a part of our mission. And yet, through all these changes the Lord invites us to renew the spirit of evangelization in our hearts and in our minds.
In more ways, this calls us to recommit ourselves to the Evangelical Councels in a way that is significant and relevant for the times in which we live. In a sense, the spirit invites us to embrace our vocation with courage and an even stronger determination to bring the Good News, which is Jesus Christ, to those whom we serve and those we live with in community.
Here in the Diocese of Camden, the church is blessed to have men and women, who commit themselves, through their Institutions, to embracing the people of the Church of Camden. I thank you and wish you many blessing for your tremendous witness of the Good Shepherd, who cares for his own. And may Mary, who cared so tenderly for her son, Jesus, embrace you and your communities.
Brother Thomas Osorio, O.H. is Delegate for Men Religious, Diocese of Camden.
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