Clergy, sisters honored during Jubilee Mass
October 28, 2014
HOUSTON — In recognition of clergy and religious who have dedicated decades of their life to the Church and service, local faithful gathered with Daniel Cardinal DiNardo on Oct. 12 to honor the 2014 Jubilarians of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
The Mass and celebration were hosted by Corpus Christi Church, with Cardinal DiNardo serving as the principal celebrant. A reception sponsored by the Serra Club was held in Prefontaine Hall following the Mass.
This year, one of the attendees was Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza, who is celebrating his 60th anniversary of priesthood. He concelebrated the Mass with Cardinal DiNardo.
Archbishop was accompanied by 50 priests and sisters and one deacon celebrating 25, 50 and 60 years of ordination or religious vows this year.
For the Jubilarians present at the Mass, the annual fall event is unique in that it offers an opportunity for Eucharistic celebration and prayer, immediately followed by introductions and brief life stories of the Jubilarians who are being honored by Cardinal DiNardo with his personal presentation of a framed certificate.
This year's Jubilarians represent a variety of ministerial services: in parishes, in schools, at the university level, through music, retreat, vocation and formation ministry, the Carmelite cloister, etc. — representing more than 2,000 years of faithful service and prayer.
"This year, the jubilee group was very multi-cultural," said Sister Heloise Cruzat, O.P., vicar for the religious. "This added significantly to the impact of their lives of witness because the life stories were varied and heroic in so many ways."
Sister Cruzat said the faithful who hear about the lives of these consecrated women and men express how they are absolutely overwhelmed by so many constant witnesses of generous, courageous and lifelong willingness to serve regardless of challenge and circumstance.
She said the consecrated lives of these women and men in the Archdiocese give witness to lifelong responses to God's call and God's love.
This year's Jubilee Mass is also notable because the Year for Consecrated Life — announced by Pope Francis last year — begins next month.
"At the end of November, all will be invited to enter into the celebration of our 2015 Year of Consecrated Life," Sister Cruzat said. "Without a doubt, everyone present at Corpus Christi Parish on October 12 felt motivated to begin the celebration."
2014 Jubilarians - Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Diamond – 60 Years
Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza
Sr. Mary Edwin Berry, CCVI
Sr. Ann Caire, R.S.C.J.
Sr. Mary Angelica Furey, CCVI
Sr. Agnes Joy, M.M.
Sr. Rose Marie McDermott, CCVI
Sr. Mary Ernestine Mulvey, CCVI
Sr. Mary Adeline O’Donoghue, CCVI
Sr. Eileen Anne O’Keeffe, CCVI
Msgr. William M. Pickard
Sr. Josephina Pitre, O.P.
Sr. Mary Jacinta Slyne, CCVI
Sr. Carita Ulm, O.P.
Golden – 50 Years
Rev. Thomas J. Byrne, C.S.Sp.
Rev. Eugene Canas, O.M.I.
Sr. Lois Dideon, r.c.
Rev. Elias E. Doroin
Rev. Robert J. Duggan, C. S. B.
Rev. John Flojole, O.F.M.
Rev. J. Isidore Garcia. O.M.I.
Rev. James J. Gaunt, C.S.B.
Sr. Roselle Haas, r.c.
Sr. Patricia Ann Hamiter, CCVI
Sr. Wanda Jinks, O.P.
Sr. Mary Lelia McNamara, CCVI
Sr. Cecilia Yen Thi Nguyen, L.H.C.
Rev. Kenneth O’Malley, C.P.
Msgr. Edward Randall
Rev. Louis S. Sikorski
Rev. Isidore Vicente, O.P.
Silver – 25 Years
Rev. Stephen Benden, C.Ss.R.
Rev. John E. Cahoon
Rev. Norberto Conde
Rev. Desmond Daniels
Sr. Ana Teresa Diaz, O.C.D.
Rev. Anthony C. Ekanem, M.S.P.
Sr. Faustina Marie Esogwu, D.M.M.M.
Rev. R. Troy Gately
Dcn. Steven Griesmyer
Sr. Maria Rosalinda Navarro, D.J.
Rev. Francis Huan Ton Ngo
Sr. Cecilia Huong Cam Nguyen, O.P.
Sr. Henrietta Chikodi Okoro, H.H.C.J.
Sr. Mary Ogochinemerem Osuesu,
D.M.M.M.
Rev. Stephen B. Reynolds
Rev. John Kha Tran
Sr. M. Patricia Onyenekwe, D.M.M.M.
Sr. Catherine Theodore Uboh, H.H.C.J.
Sr. Mary Chinaza Ukaegbu, D.M.M.M.
Sr. Mary Emmanuel Utulu, D.D.L.
Sr. Maria Goretti Oanh Vu, O.P.