On Saturday, August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, the Sisters of Mother of Good Counsel Convent in Chicago, Illinois, honored 13 jubilarians from three communities.
The long-awaited celebration, in light of COVID-19 restrictions, was anticipated and postponed more than once, but on her feast day, Our Lady made the day a spectacular event for Sr. Maria Bernadette Beninato, BVM, celebrating 80 years; Sr. Mary Helen Widacki and Imeldis Lubash, 75 years; Sr. Mary Germaine Zielinski, Sr. Mary Loritta Korzekwa, Sr. Mary Lorraine Blocki, Sr. Maria Paszko, Sr. Mary Xavier Fliss and Sr. Stephen Grzelinski, SSJ-TOSF, 70 years; Sr. Mary Feliz Gil-Jimenez, Sr. Mary Verona Schultz, Sr. Judith David, SSJ-TOSF, 60 years; and Sr. Connie Marie Lewandowski, 50 years.
The late morning Eucharist was celebrated by Father Bernard Kennedy, OFM, and concelebrated by Father Randy Roberts. In his homily, Father Bernard focused on the joy of the celebration and the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, saying, "We come today to celebrate the fiat of Mary, and we come to celebrate the consecrated life of our sister jubilarians. God deems to shower us with a superabundance of love and grace so we can do what is ours to do, to try to be faithful to God's most holy will. We listen in prayer, we move in action and we try to commit ourselves body and soul as Mary did.
"At this Eucharist, we gather to thank God for all that has been, and all that lies ahead. We continue to do what is ours to do, finding joy in God our Savior."
