Sisters honored for 525 years of love & service

In a celebration that featured storytelling, a few secrets and much laughter, 10 Sisters of St. Joseph were honored Sunday afternoon for their combined 525 years of service to God and the congregation.

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The annual “Jubilee Day” recognizes sisters who are marking noteworthy anniversaries of the date they were received as novices into the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia.

The special day comes at the end of the congregation’s annual June Assembly, so most of the members of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia are able to be present.

Eight of the congregation’s jubilarians who were able to attend Sunday’s celebration, which began with a special Mass in their honor. Each woman had invited family and friends to join her for dinner at the Motherhouse before an afternoon program that shined a spotlight on each sister.

Another sister had been selected to give a biography — many of which included anecdotes and gentle jibes — for each jubilarian being honored.

The jubilarians in attendance Sunday were:

• Sister Barbara Bader of Concordia, celebrating 70 years as a Sister of St. Joseph
• Sister Loretta Clare Flax of Hays, celebrating 60 years
• Sister Dorothy Hoover of Concordia, celebrating 60 years
• Sister Janice Koelzer of Concordia, celebrating 60 years
• Sister Therese Blecha of Concordia, celebrating 50 years
• Sister Carolyn Juenemann of Salina, celebrating 50 years
• Sister Esther Pineda of Salina, celebrating 40 years
• Sister Dorothy Marquez of Salina, celebrating 25 years

Two other jubilarians will be honored in separate celebrations later. Sister Francis Alma Royer will be honored for her 70^th jubilee during a small ceremony at Mount Joseph Senior Village June 16, while Sister Janira Lindoso Diniz will celebrate her 40^th jubilee in Teresina, Brazil, later this month.