Celebrating 50 Years!
On the eve of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart we opened Sr. Mary Martin’s Golden Jubilee celebrations at evening recreation. As is our custom, the subprioress, Sr. Denise Marie, led our Jubilarian into the community room as the community sang her greeting song to the tune of Edelweiss, accompanied by Sr. Maria Agnes on the piano.Sr. Mary Martin received her “gold” crown and the sisters lined up to greet her in profession order, beginning with the eldest, or as our chaplain likes to say, the “more mature” nuns. Each sister receives a piece of candy and a little gift, this time a rose rosary box containing rose-scented rosary beads. One of the rose boxes was marked, signalling who won the door prize (Sr. Maureen!). After collecting our ice cream and cookies we sat down to be treated to a lovely violin performance by Sr. Mary Ana.
The next day is a '“10 & 4” day with recreation and snacks in the community room at 10am and 4pm. In the morning a group of sisters entertained the community with a song and radio skit (they even wrote commercials!). Sr. Mary Martin also opened her gifts from the community. She received a beautiful crocheted blanket from Sr. Mary Jacinta who spent more than one recreation secretly crocheting it on her lap to keep the surprise. Other gifts were a set of greeting cards with paintings of St. Martin de Porres (Sr. Lauren had done the painting herself and gave a framed copy to sister as well), golden crocheted roses, a special gift certificate from the novitiate good for the weeding of one garden of Sister’s choice, and many more creative and thoughtful gifts.
In the afternoon we enjoyed ice cream and some short comedy video clips. As is the tradition in our monastery, the evening ended with a game (or two or three) of Bingo. Each sister has a card and bottle/box of buttons/markers she keeps for the few special occasions a year when we play Bingo. Sr. Mary Martin received her best jubilee gift of all at Bingo….someone else to be the caller for once!
We are grateful for the great gift of Sr. Mary Martin’s 50 years of religious profession!
