Jubilee

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Before entering religious life, the word “jubilee” was not part of my customary, every-day language. Anniversary, yes, but not jubilee.

We have 39 Sinsinawa Dominicans celebrating Jubilees this year of 50, 60, 70, 75 and 80 years of vowed life. Three Jubilarians live in our Twin Cities (MN) area. Jubilees are celebrated annually at our motherhouse. Some sisters, however, also choose to celebrate their jubilee in the geographic area in which they live and minister. I attended such a celebration last weekend.

One of our 50th year Jubilarians currently ministers at a local parish in the Twin Cities, where there has been almost 140 years of ministry by the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation. (An amazing historical fact, don’t you think?) An estimated 500 people gathered to celebrate with her. Our dinner meal included Mexican and Midwestern USA cuisine, complimented by a mariachi band, and a variety of music and theater performances by the kids afterwards.

I left the Jubilee celebration with a tremendous appreciation for community; the beautiful diversity of community in that dining hall, the Twin Cities, and beyond. How beautiful are the feet, hands and voices of God!

What and how are you choosing to celebrate today?

Tanya Williams, OP

St. Louis Park, MN

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