Guest Post: SCC Jubilee!
“O God, we come before you with gratitude and praise; accept the gift we offer: ourselves for all our days.” These words rang out in joy-filled song in the Chapel of Mary Immaculate, Mallinckrodt Convent, Mendham, New Jersey on August 21.
The Sisters of Christian Charity observed the 167th anniversary of the congregation’s founding by Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt with a Mass celebrating the Sisters’ many years of consecrated service. The brother of Sister Anna Theresa Tran, Rev. Michael Manh Tran of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana was the main celebrant with nine priests concelebrating. Rev. Robert J. Simon of the Diocese of Scranton delivered the homily. During the liturgy, the Sisters renewed their vows as Sisters of Christian Charity.
After a festive meal and a program of thanksgiving for the Sister jubilarians, the SCCs ended the day with a commissioning service. Sister Mary Edward Spohrer, Provincial Superior, encouraged the Sisters to “go and be angels of charity to each other and to the world.”
Faithful Years of Service – (seated from left) Sr. Catherine Marie McCaffrey, Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill PA, 25 years; Sr. Shawn Donnelly, Holy Family Convent, Danville PA, 50 years; Sr. Josita Marks, St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi Parish, Flemington NJ, 50 years; Sr. Edmund Joseph Reif, Mallinckrodt Convent, Mendham NJ, 60 years; (standing from left) Sr. Anna Nguyen, St. Nicholas Parish, Wilkes-Barre PA, 25 years; Sr. Diane Moughan, Morris Catholic High School, Denville NJ, 50 years; Sr. Mary Selina McHugh, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, South Orange NJ, 50 years; Sr. Anna Theresa Tran, Immaculate Conception School, Bronx NY, 25 years; Sr. Gerardine Tantsits, St. Anthony Convent, Neighborhood Center for Women, Passaic NJ, 50 years; Sr. Donna Marie Kemberling, Director of Novices, Mallinckrodt Convent, Mendham NJ, 50 years; Sr. Mary Irene Sorber, West Virginia Institute for Spirituality, Charleston WV, 50 years; Sr. Justina Lanasa, Holy Family Convent, Danville PA, 50 years; (back from left) Sr. Gale Ann Pankowski, Chaplain, St. Barnabas Hospital, Livingston NJ, 50 years; Sr. Donna Brady, Provincial Secretary, Mallinckrodt Convent Mendham NJ, 50 years
