Sisters honor outgoing Council in evening celebration

It was an evening that began with the spritely music of Claude Debussy and concluded with a kazoo rendition of “You Are My Sunshine.” In between was an evening of heartfelt and often touching tributes to the outgoing Leadership Council of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

The Thursday evening event launches three days of activities and celebrations at the Nazareth Motherhouse. Friday is the sisters’ annual Assembly, then on Saturday two women will profess their vows to become Sisters of St. Joseph and on Sunday the congregation honors six sisters who are celebrating their Jubilees, or the anniversary of when they were first received as a Sister of St. Joseph.

Sister Philomene Reiland opened the Thursday evening event with three piano pieces. Then seven sisters gave tributes they had prepared for the outgoing Council members. The sister giving the tribute and the sister she honored were:

• Sister Jodi Creten, honoring Sister Judy Stephens,
• Sister Missy Ljungdahl, honoring Sister Anna Marie Broxterman,
• Sister Mary Savoie, honoring Sister Beth Stover,
• Sister Ann Ashwood, honoring Sister Mary Jo Thummel,
• Sister Mary Lou Roberts, honoring Sister Therese Blecha,
• Sister Christ Meyer, honoring Sister Jean Rosemarynoski, who has served as the congregation’s vice president for the past four years, and
• Sister Catherine Michaud, honoring Sister Marcia Allen, who has served as president for the past eight years.
• The gathered sisters gave Sister Marcia a standing ovation as they toasted her.

The evening’s final tribute was a kazoo band, organized by Sister Dian Hall, that performed a sing-along version of “You Are My Sunshine” with lyrics adapted to the departing council

On Friday afternoon there will be a formal “transfer of leadership” ceremony in which the new Council members will be welcomed to service.