Forty-seven members of religious orders who live or serve in the diocese were recognized on the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life at a holy hour and Mass celebrated by Bishop Earl Fernandes on Friday, Feb. 3 at Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral.
The religious sisters and priests comprise 10 orders based in the United States and abroad. The largest group of jubilarians include members of the congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, whose motherhouse is located on east side of Columbus.
Dominican Sister Agnes Imelda Frohnapfel, OP is the longest serving nun, celebrating her 80th anniversary in consecrated life this year. Sister Rose Bowen, OP is observing her 75th anniversary. Six other Dominican sisters have reached their 70th anniversary.
Father Stephen Dominic Hayes, OP, a Dominican friar at Columbus St. Patrick Priory, and Father Andrzej Kozminski, SAC, a member of the Pallottine Fathers, are the longest-serving priests among the honorees. Both will reach their 35th anniversaries this year.
Religious from other orders also were in attendance at the cathedral for a program that started with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The Holy Rosary followed, with the first mystery recited in English by a consecrated virgin, the second in Spanish by the Daughters of Holy Mary, the third in Polish by the Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, the fourth in Hindi by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the fifth in Italian by the Bridgettine Sisters.
After silent prayers, Vespers and Benediction, Bishop Fernandes celebrated a Mass with the participating priests. The gathering ended with a reception and dinner with the bishop.
The 2023 jubilarians are:
80th anniversary: Sister Agnes Imelda Frohnapfel, OP. 75th anniversary: Sister Rose Bowen, OP. 70th anniversary: Sister Sylvia Bourgeois, OP; Sister Marita Charley, OP; Sister Mary Judene Lillie, OP; Sister Noreen Malone, OP; Sister Mary Josetta Mayer, OP; Sister Louis Mary Passeri, OP.
65th anniversary: Sister Kathleen Andrews, OP; Sister Germaine Conroy, OP; Sister Dorothy Gerlica, SCN; Sister Anne Keenan, OP; Sister Mary Meenan, OP; Sister Dolores Pfeiffer, OP; Sister Doris Regan, OP; Sister Mary Aimee Ryan, OP; Sister Carol Ann Spencer, OP.
60th anniversary: Sister Angelica Armstrong, OP; Sister Mary Ellen Bennett, OP; Sister Shirley Bodisch, OP; Sister Ann Brown, O.Carm; Sister Brigid Cannon, OP; Sister Kathleen Cannon, OP; Sister Eileen Csuk, OP; Sister Mary Faith Dargan, OP; Sister Mary Shawn Fitzpatrick, OP; Sister Jeannine Halloran, OP; Sister Margaret Hoffman, OSF; Sister Monique Huart, FMA; Sister Therese Leckert, OP; Sister Madeline O’Neill, OP; Sister Christella Ritchey, OSF; Sister Teresa Tuite, OP; Sister Joan Supel, OP.
55th anniversary: Sister Gemma Doll, OP; Sister Rosemary Loomis, OP; Sister Valerie Shaul, OP; Sister Marie Miller, OSF.
50th anniversary: Sister Leonard Mary, FIH. 45th anniversary: Sister Annemary Miller, SNDdeN.
35th anniversary: Father Stephen Dominic Hayes, OP; Father Andrzej Kozminski, SAC; Sister Ritha Tibangayuka, CDNK.
30th anniversary: Father Paul Jerome Keller, OP; Father Patrick Watikha, AJ.
25th anniversary: Sister Andrea Andrzejewska, O.P.; Sister Leonarda Zielinska, O.P.