Journeys Sisters of St. Casimir
Vol. XXVIII No. 3 Fall 2014
Celebrating Joyful Jubilees
Blessed!
O
n Sunday, August 10, 2014, the refrain from "Come, Thou Chosen" resounded throughout the Motherhouse chapel as the three Sisters of St. Casimir who were celebrating their jubilees – Sister Margaret Petcavage (60th anniversary), Sister Teresita Miksas (75th anniversary), and Sister Paulissa Puisis (80th anniversary) – processed up the center aisle: “Give thy heart, thine all. Answer thou My call. In this moment sweet sublime. Daughter, you are truly mine.” Each of these sisters had answered God’s call and had faithfully lived it for 60, 75, and 80 years – a lifetime of love and service to God and God’s people as Sisters of St. Casimir.
Standing at right, Sister Regina Dubickas, SSC General Superior congratulates the 2014 SSC jubilarians. Seated from left: Sister M. Paulissa Puisis (80 years) and Sister Teresita Miksas (75 years); Standing at left: Sister Margaret Petcavage (60 years).
So many lives touched! It was truly a day to celebrate. It was a day to remember once again how blessed these women were! The chapel was filled with family and friends who had come to this joyous occasion to thank these women who were so much a part of their lives, who had in some way or other blessed them! Rev. Bernard Danber, OSA, Rev. Thomas Kasputis, Rev. Peter Paurazas, Rev. Leonard Pet-
cavage, OSB, Rev. Edward Stockus, and Rev. Robert Tuzik concelebrated the Jubilee Mass with Archbishop Jerome Listecki, the main celebrant. Music for the liturgy was provided by Paul French and included the beautiful voices of the Women of the William Ferris Chorale; Alan Hommerding, organ; Anna Belle O’Shea, flute; and Bruce Daugherty, trumpet. All present were blessed with this magnificent ensemble of gifts and
talents within a beautiful Eucharistic liturgy. The celebration continued the next Sunday with a special community celebration–morning liturgy with Rev. Chris Steinle, OSA, followed by a wonderful Jubilee banquet. Many of the sisters who are residing at Franciscan Village in Lemont were able to board the Village Van to travel to the Motherhouse and spend the day with the larger community for this celebration. How blessed we are to have each other! As the Jubilarians expressed in their liturgy booklet, “With Joy and Gratitude, we give thanks to God for the gift of our religious vocation…May the God of Joy richly bless you and your loved ones.” Jubilees are truly days of joy and days of gratitude and days of blessing!