On April 23, 2021, the anniversary of the beatification of our Mother Foundress, a historic ceremony took place in Chiraa, Ghana. On that day, the first two Ghanaian Sisters were accepted into the novitiate: Sr. M. Angela Kissiwaa and Sr. M. Theresah Anane. Accepting the Sisters on behalf of the Congregation was Sr. Speranza Grzebielec, the general councilor responsible for the mission houses in Ghana. Sisters from the communities of Chiraa, Sunyani and Yamfo attended the ceremony.
The evening prior to the day of the Sisters’ admission into the novitiate, there was Mass celebrated on in the Sisters’ chapel, followed by the blessing of the crosses for the Novices. The Sisters spent the entire next day in silence and reflection, and at 3:30 PM the ritual of the admission to the novitiate began. These were extremely touching moments. After the celebration, during which the Sisters received white veils, vespers were prayed, followed by greetings and a joyful time of dinner and recreation.
We praise God for the gift of the vocations of our Sisters to Nazareth and for His blessing on our African mission.
On November 21, 2020, the day that the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth celebrate the death anniversary and feastday of its Foundress, Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, another of her daughters was added to the Congregation’s family of finally professed Sisters.
In St. Joseph Vietnamese Catholic Church in Grand Prairie Texas, Sr. M. Josephine Garrett, professed her Final Vows, witnessing to those gathered her desire to whole-heartedly respond to God’s call with her forever “Yes”. The Vow Ceremony and Mass was presided over by Bishop Strickland from the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, where Sr. Josephine currently lives and ministers. Numerous other priests who have impacted Sister’s life and journeyed with her concelebrated the Mass.
Despite the ongoing Covid pandemic, Sister was joined by numerous family and friends who were overjoyed to share this day with her. Sr. Angela Marie Mazzeo, Superior General, after arriving from Rome, was present to happily accept Sister’s vows on behalf of the Congregation. Sr. Kathleen Maciej, Provincial Superior, along with some of the provincial councilors, had also journeyed from Des Plaines, Illinois to welcome, support and pray with Sister Josephine.
All in all it was a joyous day, and a beautiful witness to the actions of Love given, received and returned. Let us pray for Sr. Josephine as she continues to faithfully live out her commitment to God in her Nazareth family.
INVESTITURE IN THE NAME OF MARY PROVINCE
On August 24, 2020, in the novitiate house in Częstochowa, the investiture ceremony of two our Sisters took place. S. Monika Czyżycka received her baptismal name S.M. Monika, s. Olga Rogacewicz (Belarus) was given the name S.M. Daniela.
INVESTITURE IN THE NAME OF JESUS PROVINCE
Two new Novices: Sr. Regina – Alena Kataeva and Sr. Agnieszka – Agnieszka Brzezińska, also in Ostrzeszów in the Warsaw Province. Thanks be to God!
Let us thank God for the grace of vocations of our Sisters and let us embrace them with our prayers.
