Recently, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary celebrated two classes of Jubilarians – 2020 and 2021. The Jubilees span a wide range of years from Sr. Clevie Youngblood, celebrating her Golden Jubilee of 50 years’ profession to Sr. Nancy O’Brien celebrating 80 years of professed life. Following is an excerpt from Sr. Bea McMahon’s toast to the Jubilarians.
The 40-year span between their first vows, 1930 to 1970, witnessed notable changes in the world: growth in the number of RSHM from 800 to 1740; change in Catholic culture from pre-Vatican II to post-Vatican II; and a rise in the price of a gallon of gas from 18 cents to 36 cents! Not to forget the growth in age, wisdom and grace of our Jubilarians.
In 1945-46, when the world was recovering from war, the Institute was welcoming to first vows Fernanda Moreira and Tendai Doris Russell, Catherine Browne, Irene Cody, and Christine Marian.
Moving right along, 1950 was proclaimed a Holy Year and it was made ever more holy by the profession of Pat Fahey, Michelle Phelan, and Bianca Haglich, followed by Francisca Grace and Maeve O’Connor in 1951.
Then came the unforgettable sixties! Cloistered from the ‘shake, rattle, and roll’ outside, vows of consecration were pronounced in 1960 by Alice Alter, Eileen Buckley, Agnes Carillo, Breda Galavan, Bernadette Kenny, Ann O’Halloran, and Jacquelyn Porter. While Elvis was singing “It’s Now or Never” in 1961 another sainted six chose to make it “NOW”. They were Margarita Bermudez, Kathleen Fagan, Lynne Jacoby, Angela Ospina, Marion Shanahan, and Margaret Treacy….
They have added their zeal and talent to RSHM life and ministry in schools and colleges, in retreat houses and hospitals, in parishes and courts of law, in libraries and centers for the elderly. We toast our jubilarians, giving thanks for their life among us and for God’s life within them….
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back,
And may you always be held in the hollow of God’s hand!
