May-June 2010, Vol. XXX, No. 5
Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters Convent of the Holy Spirit – Techny, Illinois 60082-6026
W
e can count the years our Sisters have served as religious missionaries, but can we ever count all the blessings of their lives given in service? So many blessings they have received and so many blessings others have received through them! We celebrated jubilees twice: on April 25, the Golden Jubilees of Sr. Priscilla Burke and Sr. Judy Vallimont; and on May 30, the Diamond Jubilees of Sr. Mary Jane Lusson (65 years), Sr. Mary Pardy (60 years) and Sr. Maria Elisabeth Klodt (60 years). The days were set apart to cherish each jubilarian and the memories each carries within her. The Jubilarians themselves will share a bit of what fills their hearts and memories at this time.
Srs. Priscilla Burke and Judy Vallimont
Srs. Maria Elisabeth Klodt, Mary Jane Lusson and Mary Pardy
Sr. Judy: In 1960, the year 2010 was not only fifty years away, but sounded like something from outer space. I don’t know what you or others received from me during these years or how I might have affected your lives. But I have a good idea of what I’ve gained from you. You have affected me as channels of God’s love and wisdom by sharing stories, by our working and playing and praying together. God, ever loving, calls each of us to live gospel and we faithfully respond wherever and however we experience that call. We vow forever, but we live one day at a time. Sr. Priscilla remembers her Dad’s role in her vocation: The first “seeds” of my missionary vocation were planted by my Dad. I had witnessed in his life many deeds of compassionate caring. When I was quite young, he used to take me on trips around the world on his (continued on page 2)