In Focus
Lives of
Faith
Celebrating our religious women and men
Blessed With Mission
Drawn by faith and community, religious celebrating milestone anniversaries reflect on their witness to the Gospel BY LOIS ROGERS Correspondent
L
iving and serving among Catholic faithful has brought joy and fulfillment to religious sisters who are marking special anniversaries of their ministry this year – Marianite Sister of Holy Cross Margaret Conley and St. Joseph Sister of Philadelphia Pat McGinley among them. Taken together, they have devoted 135 years to their vocations. “I think of two quotes,” Sister Pat said. “One from St. Catharine of Siena: ‘Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire,’ and another from St. Francis de Sales, ‘Be who you
are, and be that well.’ When you are in ministry,” following those examples “highlights the fullness in life,” she said. ‘ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS’ Sister Margaret and St. Pat have served for decades in the Trenton Diocese – their ministries impacting lives in parishes, schools and hospitals. Sister Margaret is celebrating her 75th anniversary this year; it’s the 60th anniversary for Sister Pat. Sister Margaret retired from active ministry after decades as a teacher, principal and provincial superior, as well as working in Continued on 10
October 2020 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 9