DETROIT — “You are a great witness of the resurrection, of the love that is omnipotent, of the love that conquers everything,” said Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron in his homily at the May 10 Mass celebrating the 2014 consecrated life jubilees.

“A love that sometimes doesn’t look very romantic, but a love that day in, and day out, has said, ‘I’m not going to go away; you have loved me, I will love you,’” Archbishop Vigneron continued.

He explained that the religious sisters and brothers sitting in the chapel of Sacred Heart Major Seminary say with their lives that “I will be faithful … you are Jesus, you are my heart’s desire.”

The archbishop expressed how despite the ups and downs of consecrated life, these individuals celebrating their 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 65th, 70th, 75th, 80th and 85th anniversaries remained faithful to the vows they spoke those years ago.

“Praise God for how he has worked in your lives,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “The Church is blessed by your witness.”

Following the Mass, a social event was held at the seminary for the religious sisters and brothers to celebrate their jubilees with friends and fellow members of their religious orders.

Sr. Remi Pauwels, IHM, and Sr. Margurete Gibbs, IHM, both celebrate 70 years as religious sisters this year. Sr. Pauwels said she has spent all 70 years as a sister teaching, “which is the love of my life.” Today, she serves as a substitute at St. Mary Catholic Central High School in Monroe.

One of Sr. Gibbs’ proudest accomplishments as a sister was in teaching the “Workshop Way” educational system to aspiring teachers in college.

“My goal in life was to help others become good teachers,” she said, adding that her experience in religious life has helped her “want to make the world be better.”

Bro. Michael Gaffney, OFM Cap., serves the unique ministry of being a graphic designer for the Detroit Capuchins to help promote their mission.

Bro. Gaffney, who celebrates 50 years as a brother this year, said he is happy to be “doing something that you love doing” as part of his vocation.

He said he is grateful to be able to help those in need in the city of Detroit, whether through fundraising or through bringing the elderly and poor to church.

“Religious life is a very good life, and I feel very blessed to have been part of it,” Bro. Gaffney said.

Sr. Valerie Zielinski, OP, a member of the Racine Dominicans, celebrates 70 years as a religious sister this year.
She has been a teacher for more than 70 years and said, “I’m just grateful for my vocation that I can serve people.”

Sr. Maureen Mulcrone, RSM, who celebrates 50 years as a sister this year, said she “entered religious life at the perfect time.”

“We were going back to our roots (at that time),” she added, explaining that she was taught from grade school through college by Sisters of Mercy, and had thought “I want to be like these smart, merciful and witty women.”

“I feel blessed every day to be a Sister of Mercy,” she said.