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.