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November 2015
Felician Sisters in the Southwest Celebrate 320 Years
By Sr. Julianna Francis Marie Vagnozzi, CSSF
The Felician Sisters in the Southwest celebrated 320 years of dedicated commitment in July in the chapel of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent in Rio Rancho. Convent chaplain Rev. Salvador Aragón OFM, who was celebrating 60 years of ordained priesthood, was From L to R: SM Helen Widacki, SM Malvina Kwasnica, Provincial Chaplain Father Salvador Aragon, OFM, with members of his the presider for the Eucharistic Vicar SM Jolene Jansinski, SM Janelle Korzekwa and SM Ellen Sturm family celebration. Celebrating their lives in the in various capacities. Special guests at the celeended her active ministry as a daily needs such as personal Congregation of the Sisters of SM Helen served in forma- tutor at Saint Felix Pantry Edu- care, homemaking, transporta- bration included SM Jolene St. Felix of Cantalice were SM tion at the former provincial cational Center in Rio Rancho. tion, companionship, and spiri- Jasinski, provincial vicar and Helen Widacki and SM Malvi- house in Rio Rancho from SM Ellen served as provin- tual care.” (from Sisters Care’s regional coordinator of the na Kwasnica, 70 years; SM 1978-1981, during which time cial secretary for two terms website) Southwest region of Our Lady Ellen Sturm and SM Janelle she would bring the novices to in Rio Rancho. She currently SM Janelle taught at Queen of Hope Province; members of Korzekwa, 60 years. catechize in various local par- ministers with Sisters Care, of Heaven School in Albuquer- Fr. Salvador’s family; Felician All four sisters were born in ishes. San Antonio, an organization que, and was also a tutor at Sisters from around the provTexas, and all four have served SM Malvina, who minis- which is, “… dedicated to Saint Felix Pantry Educational ince; Felician Associates and in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe tered as teacher and librarian helping senior adults with their Center. friends.
Five Profess Perpetual Vows as Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation
By Sr. Peter Marie, O.P., Vocation Director
Five young women made their perpetual profession of the simple vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience as Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia Congregation in Nashville, Tennessee in July. Among those making final profession was Sr. Mary Josephine Spellman, O.P., a former member of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Sr. Mary Josephine is the
daughter of Kean and Linda Spellman, parishioners at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, OK. The Mass for the Rite of Perpetual Religious Profession was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville, TN. The Most Reverend David R. Choby, Bishop of Nashville, was the principal celebrant. The homilist was Reverend Vincent Wiseman, O.P., of the Dominican Province of St. Joseph. Also con-
celebrating were Rev. Larry Brito of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Rev. Alphonse Gollapalli of a diocese in India who is currently serving in Arkansa, Rev. Nicholas Allen of the Diocese of Nashville, Rev. Delphinus Mutajuka of the Diocese of Nashville, and Deacon Merle Runck of the Diocese of Colorado Springs. The Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia was established in Nashville in 1860. The Sisters of St. Cecilia are dedicated to the apos-
tolate of Catholic education. The community of nearly 300 sisters serves in 35 schools throughout the United States, with mission houses also in Sydney, Australia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Bracciano, Italy; Elgin, Scotland: and Sittard, The Netherlands. St. Cecilia Motherhouse is located in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information on the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation, please visit their website at www.nashvilledominican.org.
Sr. Mary Josephine Spellman, O.P. made her perpetual profession of vows as a Dominican Sister of Saint Cecilia Congregation in Nashville, TN in July.
Knights in Action By Terry Davenport, Knight of Columbus Council 9928 The Knights of Columbus Alameda Council 9928 at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Albuquerque has attained a significant milestone. They have completed a decade of successful fundraising providing tuition assistance for the parish children attending Catholic schools. “The brother knights and ladies have planned and conducted a highly successful golf tournament these past
ten years raising over $75,000 for tuition assistance” stated Grand Knight Kenneth Blumenthal. “This year over $5,000.00 has been distributed to 12 worthy students.” “A quality education in a Catholic setting is even more important today than it was in the past,” stated Deacon Michael Illerbrun, Director of Religious Education. He continued, “I am grateful that our council’s members have devoted their valuable time and effort toward this service which complements the tuition assistant provided by the parish.”
Deacon Michael Illerbrun, Director of Religious Education, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Grand Knight Kenneth Blumenthal