Over four-hundred friends, colleagues and family members joined the Holy Union Sisters and Associates on Sunday afternoon, October 16 at a Eucharistic celebration at Sacred Heart Church, Fall River. The Mass at Sacred Heart and reception at White's of Westport that followed were the final events of a year of celebration marking the arrival of the first ten Holy Union Sisters in the United States in October 1886. Several priests, former students of Holy Union Sisters and others who minister with the sisters joined Bishop George Coleman, who celebrated the Mass.
Sisters and Associates wore symbolic lavender ribbons as a gesture of solidarity with our sisters and brothers throughout the world who are victims of human trafficking. The money, allocated for corsages, will be given to assist those healing from the evil of human trafficking and to promote efforts to eliminate it.
International visitors at the celebration included congregational leader, Sr. Carol Regan from Rome, a Fall River native who graduated from the former Sacred Heart School and Sacred Hearts Academy. Sr. Margaret O'Reilly, who will assume congregational leadership in January, came from England for the celebration.
Homilist Father David Costa, pastor of Sacred Heart- St. Mary Parish, North Attleboro recalled the first ten sisters who arrived in Fall River in 1886. He noted that the day was a celebration of the sisters and associates, "who continue to remain in God's love, joyfully giving of themselves, serving the needs of others, reminders of the faithful presence of God among us."
The Prayer of the Faithful was proclaimed in French, Spanish, Kiswahili, Haitian Creole, Portuguese and English to represent the diversity of cultures where Holy Union Sisters minister. Each petition was read by a sister or associate who has ministered among people who speak that language. All present renewed their baptismal promises. Then Holy Union Sisters renewed their vows and the Associates renewed their membership commitment.
The two oldest Holy Union Sisters present at the celebration, Srs. Marie Lurz and Ruth Kindelan participated in the offertory procession. Archivist, Sr. Rita Beaudoin, carried the chalice of Fr. John Baptist Debrabant, founder of the Holy Union Sisters.
Sr. Carol Regan, in a reflection at the closing of the liturgy, asked: "How shall we keep the blessings of the year of celebration alive?" Linking with the Gospel of the Mass, she encouraged the sisters to be," disciples of Jesus and direct descendents of the first Holy Union women who arrived in Fall River, to stay close to Jesus, love one another and love widely."
At the reception, Sr. Mary Catherine Burns, a member of the province leadership team introduced and thanked Mrs. Rachel Voiland, Chair of the 125th Events Committee. Sr. Patricia Butler, SNDdeN, Director of Mission Advancement invited Sr. Theresa Horvath, a member of the incoming congregation leadership team to offer the blessing before dinner. Mrs. Voiland introduced individuals who read a resolution from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, citations and congratulatory wishes from Senator John Kerry, Governor Deval Patrick and Fall River Mayor William Flanagan. Sr. Patricia Mulryan presented a booklet, Shared Memories, which contains short reflections from several sisters. Sister Eileen Davey, an American ministering in Haiti presented a beautiful metal sculpture she brought from Haiti. Sr. Carol Regan, on behalf of the General Council, presented a Papal Blessing to the Sisters of the US Province.
To view photos of the Mass, click on this link:
http://www.holyunionsisters.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=11
To view photos of the reception, click on this link:
http://www.holyunionsisters.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=12
Photos by Michael Kinnane (http://www.kinnanephotography.com/)