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| September 5, 2008 |
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Lifetimes of simple gestures add up to huge impacts From left to right, Sisters Helen Lange, OSB, Francis Leo Brown, OSF, Marcella Kiesel, OSB, and Jean Little, RSM, join other religious jubilarians in singing the opening hymn at a Mass honoring them for their service to the church on Nov. 17 at Our Lady’s Chapel at St. Jude the Apostle Cathedral. ST. PETERSBURG | Simple gestures of people leading their lives for God can have profound impacts on the lives of others. Bishop Robert N. Lynch delivered that message at a recent Mass honoring 25 priests, brothers and sisters who this year celebrate jubilee anniversaries of 25, 50, 65 and 75 years of service to the Catholic Church. During his homily at the Nov. 17 Mass at Our Lady’s Chapel at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, Bishop Lynch spoke of a time he was hospitalized as a youngster, when someone who gave her life to the Lord touched him spiritually. “I cannot remember … the surgeon, but I can vividly picture Sister Josephina,” Bishop Lynch said. The story struck a chord with Father John Serio, a member of the Salesians of Don Bosco order. The principal of St. Petersburg Catholic High School is celebrating his 25th jubilee year. “We can all talk about people who in some way or another have influenced us to join up,” Father Serio said. Stories and examples such as those “reinforce my decision,” he said.  ED FOSTER JR. | FC Father Serio said it’s not uncommon for those who choose a life of faith, like many who choose careers in the secular world, to wonder at times if they have made the right decision. But jubilarians at the Mass and a luncheon in their honor that followed looked back without regret on rewarding careers, both personally and spiritually. Sister Miriam Nogales Vargas joined the order of Allegany Franciscan Sisters 25 years ago. As a child growing up in Bolivia, she noticed how the Franciscans helped those in need and could tell how rewarding it was for both the Franciscans and the recipients of their care. Sister Vargas knew then this was a life she wanted. “As a child, I used to see the sisters and priests doing a beautiful job with the poor and homeless and sick, and I was impressed (with) what they were doing,” she said. “I knew that’s what I wanted to do.” And she has never looked back upon her decision. “I never wanted to leave,” Sister Vargas said. “I believe this is my vocation here and I love it. I have the same enthusiasm now as I did then.” Father Leonard E. Lencewiez, celebrating his 50th jubilee, noted that constant challenges of spreading the word of the Lord were enough to keep his faith strong. He noted how the church is being challenged now. “There are more distractions now,” Father Lencewiez said. “We had challenges to believe what we believe when we were younger, but today there are more distractions to that with the Internet and TV and other things. So there are more challenges now.” Father Lencewiez’s faith didn’t waver because he kept busy with his own challenges. He remembered a fellow priest mentioning to him, as a young priest, that “a parish is where the action is.” And that was his goal: to work at a parish in order to touch many lives. “I love parish work,” Father Lencewiez said. “I was really pleased to be able to work in parishes.” One of the highlights of the day was honoring Sister Irma Multer, Order of St. Benedict, who is celebrating her 75th year of service. Sister Multer was one of the famed “Texas Five” — five sisters from Texas who came to Florida in 1930 to work on behalf of the Lord. She worked at a number of schools, including elementary, high schools and Saint Leo University. Sister Multer served as a principal at various Florida schools, including St. Martha’s in Sarasota and Santa Fe Catholic in Lakeland. “It’s been wonderful and I never wavered,” she said. “I was perfectly happy and satisfied all along.” She noted the secret to her success was knowing her limitations and trying not to act her age. “I mostly try to be young,” she said. “I’m resigned to knowing I can’t do everything, so I say my prayers and I keep young.” As for sisters younger than she, she advises, “They should pray and take every day as it comes and make the best of it.” One of her former students at Saint Leo University, Father Bob Morris, the diocesan vicar general, remembered her and noted she was an inspiration to him then and now. “I remember her love of the students,” Father Morris said. “It’s wonderful to witness Sister Irma celebrate her 75 years of profession of faith. It’s an inspiration to hear her story and her commitment. Certainly, when you see that joy in one’s vocation and you reflect upon your own, it’s nice to see those who have gone before you with so much faithful commitment.” In his homily, Bishop Lynch noted, “We honor not youth, but wisdom, wisdom that we have gathered through the years. It was not always an easy invitation in life. A religious life has a profound impact on the church. Many could be forgiven to say, ‘Enough.’ I don’t know many of you that want to. (Secular life) is far easier than the life you chose.” “Well done, gracious jubilarians, well done. And I wish health, happiness and many more good years to all of you.” |
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