By Paula Graham
Catholic Herald correspondent
Bishop honors jubilarian Sisters at Mass
LADYSMITH -- On Saturday, May 4, the Sisters' Council of the Diocese of Superior honored those Sisters celebrating 40, 50 and 60 year jubilees.
Bishop Raphael M. Fliss celebrated Mass in the chapel at the Servants of Mary Convent, with Fr. John Anderson, pastor of the Ladysmith-Hawkins-Tony parish cluster, assisting. Fliss congratulated the jubilarians on the occasion of their combined 620 years of service and thanked them for the examples they provide. "As you celebrate, we think about where we are on our journey and about the grace God has given us for that journey."
In his homily, Fliss reminded the Sisters that the "Lord looks upon you with satisfaction and love for all you've done--for the years, hours and precious moments when you've had a chance to do things for the Lord, even when at great cost."
Referring to the current crisis in the church, Fliss admitted that it is a very difficult time. "None of us is equipped to handle the scandal in the church. The Lord is concerned. We know from those priests who have sexually abused children and the bishops who have handled the situation improperly, all this is wrong. Certainly the priests and victims need attention in special ways."
Fliss questioned why the media doesn't turn around and look at themselves and what they're presenting to the public day after day, hour after hour. He recalled Mother Teresa and how anytime she was approached by someone with negative words, she looked for a ray of hope. 'Much good will come from this,' she always said."
Fliss urged the jubilarians to continue to devote themselves to the calls they answered long ago and to live them out daily. "You freely accept your structured way of life. Your vows could be said to throw up a wall around you--a wall of fire. And that fire has its origin in the Lord. I ask you to reflect upon the joy you must give our Lord as he rejoices and observes you living a consecrated life."
The following Sisters are celebrating 2002 jubilees: 40 years: Casimira Benbenek, OSM; Lois Reichert, OSM; Phyllis Wilhelm, OSF. 50 years: Mary Ellen Heubsch, FSPA; Cecile Marie Kees, CSA; Rita Pearce, SCSC; Kate Zimmerman, OSF. 60 years: Gretchen Berg, OSF; Mary Lucy Daniels, OSM; Teresa Luetkenhaus, OSF; Geraldine Schulte, OSM; Mary John VanderLoop, OSM.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002