Brazil community, priests honor Sister Patricia Neihouse
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A special Mass Thursday evening (June 27) in St. Joseph the Worker Church in Teresina, Brazil, closed the novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and honored the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia for their 50 years of service to the parish.
At the end of the Mass, the celebrant, Father Jadhy Hobest, introduced a tribute to Sister Patricia Neihouse as one of the first four Sisters of St. Joseph who came to Teresina and for her continuing service here for the past 50 years. The church was packed with a huge crowd of people, filling the pews and standing in the aisles.
First Sister Naira Regina da Silva Ribeiro spoke of Pat´s leadership qualities; next, Teresinha Sa, the head catechist and long-standing friend of the community, gave her tribute. Then 12 associates came forward to present Sister Patricia with a dozen yellow roses and a tribute by associate Maria do Carmelo Gomes de Carvalho. The celebration ended with the presentation of a very large bouquet of red roses by a very small child, gift from the Redemptorists.
Following the Mass, the Irish Redemptorists had arranged a concert by the Teresina Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, under the direction of composer/director, Raimundo Aurelo Mel. They performed the “Missa Sancta Benedicte.”
Congratulations and thank you, Pat and everyone else down in Brazil. It sounds like the celebrations was wonderful.
You are in my thoughts and prayers as you continue to serve and celebrate.
God bless you!
Missy
And, yes, Pat……….a special tribute for your faithful service for 50 years!!! How wonderful!
I am thinking of all of you minute by minute as you and we celebrate as ONE! Congratulations to each of you for the witness of fidelity and LOVE.
Pat, you have been a pillar of the ministry in Brazil for 50 years. Thank you. Dance on!
What an inspiring and spirited celebration! I can just imagine the glorious singing and participation at the Liturgy!
A well deserved honor and recognition by so many for your 50 years of ministry to God’s people there Pat! Congratulations to all of you for selfless giving!
I am so glad Pat that you have been recognized and applauded, and rightly so. You have served the Congegation and the Brazilian people well.Wish I were there to give you a big embraco. Always in friendship, Bette M.