The jubilarian sisters renew their vows in response to questions from Bishop William F. Medley during the Diocesan Jubilee for Women Religious on Oct. 25 at St. Martin Parish in Rome, Ky. From left are Franciscan Sister Consolata Ojemeh (25 years), School Sister of Notre Dame Jeannette Fennewald (60 years), Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph Marie Joseph Coomes (60 years), Ursuline Sister Jane Falke (70 years), and Ursuline Sister Francis Louise Johnson (70 years). COURTESY OF MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH
Seeing the Lord: Diocese honors women religious celebrating jubilees in 2025
BY MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH STAFF
Eleven of the 14 women religious celebrating jubilees of religious profession in the Diocese of Owensboro in 2025 gathered to celebrate on Oct. 25, as Bishop William F. Medley thanked them for answering the call to serve. The Diocesan Jubilee for Women Religious was held at St. Martin Parish in Rome, Ky. The Steering Committee for the Council of Religious organizes the event each year, which is followed by lunch sponsored by the local Serra Club.
Sister Lucy Bonifas, a Franciscan Sister celebrating 70 years, read a passage from Isaiah that the Lord renews the strength of his people so that “they shall run and not be weary.”
Bishop Medley said no one could look around the church at the number of years of service and have the audacity to talk about growing weary.
“We could write chapters on when we have grown weary, but here we are,” he said. The bishop reflected on the Gospel of John, Chapter 20:11-18, when Mary returns from Jesus’ tomb to the apostles and proclaims, “I have seen the Lord.”
“You could say, “I have seen the Lord, and that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing,’” Bishop Medley said. “The people we have served have transformed our lives. Thank you for seeing the Lord.”
The jubilarians attending the Diocesan Jubilee for Women Religious on Oct. 25 at St. Martin Parish in Rome, Ky were joined by Fr. Jerry Riney, left, who is celebrating 50 years since his ordination this year. In the first row from left are Franciscan Sister Lucy Bonifas, and Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph Emma Anne Munsterman, Marie Joseph Coomes, Elaine Burke, Francis Louise Johnson and Barbara Jean Head; in the second row from left are Ursuline Sisters Ann McGrew and Mary Henning, Bishop William F. Medley, Ursuline Sister Jane Falke, Franciscan Sister Consolata Ojemeh, and School Sister of Notre Dame Jeannette Fennewald. COURTESY OF MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH
Originally printed in the December 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
