Jubilee Celebration

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What does it mean to celebrate an anniversary? In religious communities we call an anniversary a jubilee. Rooted in our understanding of Biblical tradition, it is a time to remember and to give thanks for the many blessings of life.

This weekend at Sinsinawa there was a celebration of Jubilee for 21 sisters who observed their 50th anniversary of profession.  And for those 21 sisters, more than 500 guests joined them for a memorable weekend of celebration: prayer, festive meals and lots of remembering.  Family members, friends, former Dominicans and students of these sisters had stories to tell! 

As they were welcomed to the Eucharistic Celebration by our prioress, Mary Ellen Gevelinger, O.P., she reminded them that this was a celebration of 1,050 years of dedication in God’s service.

Who could have imagined fifty years ago that these 21 sisters would have seen and experienced all the changes they have? The world has changed.  The church has changed.  Religious life has changed. Each of them has changed!

Through it all, however, they remembered this weekend the people and places that have been central in their years of becoming the wise and dedicated, creative and steadfast ministers of the Gospel they are today.

How about you?  Where are you on your journey to becoming yourself?
Ruth Poochigian, OP
Madison, Wisconsin

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