22 IHM Sisters celebrating milestone ministry anniversaries

On Saturday, 22 Sisters with Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary were honored for milestone ministry anniversaries during a Jubilee celebration, which included a Mass and reception.

“This year’s jubilarians have a combined 1,430 years of service,” the IHM Communications Department said.

Honored for 75 years in ministry were: Sisters Eva (Mary Neumann) Schoell, Dorothy (Mary Seton) Diederichs, Joyce (Rose Anthony) Durosko, Marie Cyril Delisi and Jacinta Szczgielski.

Honored for 70 years in ministry were: Sisters Juanita (Guadalupe) Bernard, Margaret (Thomas Edward) McAnoy, Kathleen (Kathleen Mary) O’Brien, Rose Marie (David Marie) Petranek, Janet (Janet Marie) Provost, Anne (Michael Ann) Wisda and Mary Ann Grates.

Honored for 60 years of ministry were: Sisters Diane (Ancilla) McCormack, Ann (Marie Nora) Nett, Valerie (Mary Keith) Knoche, Arlene (Ann Stephen) Jekielek, Mary Bea Keeley, Theresa (John Christopher) Fix, Sharon (Mary Austin) Defever, Marcia (Marie Jeffrey) Andrews and Patricia (Ann Bernard) McCluskey.

Honored for 25 years was Sister Carmen Armenta Lara.

"Sister Carmen officially celebrated her 25 year anniversary two years ago, but because of visa problems, she couldn’t return to the U.S. to celebrate. She is now serving the migrants at our border house in McAllen, Texas. She is coming home to celebrate this week with her sisters in community," the IHM Communications Department said.

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The sisters served in ministries such as education, congregational administration, parish ministries, pastoral care, religious education, hospitals and hospices, medical social work, psychology and social justice. They served in 21 states, 41 Michigan cities and Ontario, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Honduras.

After retiring to the Monroe Motherhouse, the Sisters have been involved with ministries such as tutoring, pastoral care, retreat work and in various IHM offices.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: 22 IHM Sisters celebrating milestone ministry anniversaries