Several Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph help sing during the Sept. 30 Jubilee of Religious program, including the opening hymn, “Christ Be Near at Either Hand.” Front row, left to right: Sister Alicia Coomes, Sister Nancy Liddy, Sister Cecilia Joseph Olinger. Second row, left to right: Sister Elaine Burke, Sister Mary Henning, Sister Susan Mary Mudd. COURTESY OF MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH

BY MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH STAFF, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC

The Diocese of Owensboro held its annual “Jubilee of Religious 2023” program on Sept. 30, 2023, to recognize women religious celebrating jubilees. Bishop William F. Medley presided at the event and described it as “a jubilee of gratitude.” 

The program took place at St. Martin Parish in Rome, Ky., and was organized by the Steering Committee of the Council of Religious and the Serra Club, along with Mike Bogdan, director of the Office of Music for the diocese, and Deacon Ken Bennett. Attendees included Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, Glenmary Sisters, Sisters of the Lamb of God, and sisters from several congregations in Vietnam.

“I see how many of the sisters have served in other countries. That was very common,” Bishop Medley remarked during the program. “Now we call priests from other nations to come here. Who would have thought we would have eight sisters from Vietnam, through the courtesy of the Ursuline Sisters who invited them through Brescia University? The world keeps on changing. What is the same is that God has set his heart on you.

“The words I find most important are, ‘God set his heart on you,’” he said. “Each and every one of you. Each of you had to make a choice to set your heart on the Lord. Your choice is extraordinary.”

Bishop William F. Medley hands Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph Pat Rhoten, a 60-year jubilarian, a certificate of recognition on Sept. 30. COURTESY OF MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH

Originally printed in the November 2023 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.