Kansas governor honors Sisters with anniversary proclamation

To download a copy of the Proclamation by the Governor, click HERE.

In recognizing the Catholic religious order’s 125h anniversary, Gov. Mark Parkinson has called on Kansans “to honor Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia for their outstanding services to the people of the state of Kansas.”

The proclamation was issued by the governor’s office in Topeka on May 13. The Concordia-based order concludes its yearlong celebration of its 125th anniversary with an ice cream social and lawn party at its Motherhouse Wednesday afternoon. Lawn games and other festivities are planned from 1:30 to 5 p.m., with a short formal program at 2 p.m. The party is free, and the public is warmly invited.

The proclamation makes note of the sisters’ history in Kansas, beginning with the arrival in 1883 of Mother Stanislaus Leary. But it also cites the importance of the order to the state and its citizens today: “The Sisters promote a culture of nonviolence, building a sustainable global community founded on interdependence and the principles of human rights” and “continue to minister and pray for people in Kansas communities.”

The mayor of Concordia, Greg Hatton, has also issued a proclamation honoring the sisters. That will be read as part of Wednesday’s formal program at the Motherhouse. Other speakers scheduled to take part, in addition to Mayor Hatton, are state Rep. Elaine Bowers, state Sen. Mark Taddiken and Sister Marcia Allen, president of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia.

The 125th anniversary celebration began a year ago with a special Mass and party, also held on the lawn at the Motherhouse. That daylong event attracted more than 1,000 participants.

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