2016 East Jubilee
The 2016 jubilarians from the eastern region chose Spring, birds and butterflies as the theme for their day of celebration with family and friends in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. The weather forecast for that day was anything but a reflection of their theme - grey, damp, windy, slushy snow on and off all day! BUT the spirit of joy, gratitude, and celebration which permeated the liturgy and gathering afterwords overshadowed the mood of the weather!
Congregation Leader, Sister Sheila Lemieux, CSJP welcomed all gathered and aptly said “I love jubilees because they are a time to stop and be grateful!” and the jubilarians processed in while singing The heavens are telling the glory of God and all creation is shouting for joy. Come dance in the forest, come play in the field, and sing, sing, to the glory of the Lord. The entire congregation joined in the singing and celebratory spirit.
Our celebrant, Fr. Jim McDonald, CSsR, a CSJP Associate, preached a very thought-provoking and challenging homily. Here is a small excerpt: In her book, McFague writes: "I believe Christian discipleship for 21st century North American Christians means 'cruciform living,' an alternative notion of the abundant life...For us privileged Christians a 'cross-shaped' life will not be primarily what Christ does for us, but what we can do for others.
This is radical stuff. Living this cruciform life is not about easing into a comfortable relationship with a benign God. It's not about a private peace or a personal path to enlightenment. The cruciform life means that we live out the love of God in every choice we make.
I believe her words echo the words from the CSJP Constitutions # 23: Recalling Jesus’ identification with the prophetic tradition, we develop a critical, sensitive conscience regarding religious, social, cultural, economic, and political realities, and we direct our efforts to actions which bring peace through justice”. Margaret Anna Cusack certainly gave witness with her life, that truly embracing and living this way of live would involve “cruciform living”.
Each of our jubilarians has discovered for herself what has been the best way for them to live out the charism of the CSJP, keeping in mind their God given talents, their interests and the needs of the community and the local and global church community in which they have lived and ministered to the people of God. I am sure they too have had to embrace some form of “cruciform living” in their own lives.
It’s not easy to embrace this radical “cruciform” way of living, but following the Christ means that each of us must make the decision to “put our hands to the plow and not look back”. Five brave woman sitting among us today have each endeavored to do that, each in her own and unique way. Our sixth jubilarian, Sr. Lillian O’Neill, whom we honor with these purple orchids, purple being her favorite color, now rests with the Lord in blessed peace which she truly deserved. (Download the entire homily.)
Sister Sheila invited all the Sisters present to stand and join the jubilarians in renewing their vows: In response to God’s call to seek justice, to love tenderly, and to walk in the way of peace, I,________, in the presence of the community gathered here, renew my vows according to the Constitutions of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.
Those present responded: As the community gathered here we joyfully pledge our support as we walk together in the way of peace.
Sister Noreen Twomey, CSJP, one of the Diamond Jubilarians gave the communion meditation: From the beginning, they (the jubilarians) pondered and wondered, queried and prayed to discern the Divine Plan, to say YES to the commitment which would sustain them to navigate change, to be faithful to the Call which led them to this Congregation, to this time and place, to this day's celebration of thanksgiving.
And so, in time, they became involved in education and healthcare, in ElderCare and KinderCare, in serving dependent adults and children, those needing mentoring and nurturing and a place to live - all giving heart and life to the mission of the Congregation - the linchpin of God's call and plan to become beacons of blessings for others.
Gracious God, you have shepherded us throughout the years. You have filled and replenished the jars of our lives with grace to do your work. You have enabled us to live our lives with purpose and compassion through each step of the journey.
Today, we are gathered in this Chapel where we first gathered fifty - sixty years ago to offer gratitude to You for whatever good our commitment to You has brought about. (Download the meditation.)
After the liturgy, the celebration continued at St. Peter’s auditorium with a delicious meal, dancing, and wonderful conversation. Certainly, the weather’s atmosphere did not dampen the atmosphere present among those gathered!
As exhibited by the photographs, a wonderful time was had by all!
