Bishop Patrick J. McGrath presided at an Evening Prayer service, May 2, in honor of Women Religious in the Diocese of San Jose, celebrated at Santa Clara Mission Church on the campus of Santa Clara University.
Theme for the event was “Women Religious: Called, Chosen, Sent – Showing Forth Christ.” Sister Miriam Malone, SNJM, well-known speaker and retreat director in the Bay Area, delivered the Reflection. (See text, pages 10, 11)
The St. Patrick Proto-Cathedral Youth Drum and Dance Group, under direction of Ms. Bich Van Nguyen, provided the opening ritual dance and procession, and were followed by liturgical dancers from Holy Family Parish, San Jose, coordinated by Susan Olsen.
The Benedictus Award, conferred by the diocesan Liturgical Commission, was bestowed on all Women Religious in the diocese in recognition of their “outstanding achievements in fostering the liturgical, educational and ministerial renewal promulgated by the Second Vatican Council,” Bishop McGrath announced.
The bishop (his remarks at the event, pages 8, 9) said the event provided an “opportunity for the people of the diocese to thank the Sisters for their dedicated and generous service through their ministries in health care, education, parish work and social services.”
Local Catholics packed the Mission Church, representing parishes, schools and hospitals where the Sisters work or have worked and there were innumerable Sisters from the more than 30 Religious congregations represented in the diocese.
The Religious communities were each asked to prepare a poster showing their ministries in the diocese, which were displayed along the walkway leading to the Adobe Lodge at SCU where a reception was held following the prayer service.
Sister Marie Gertrude Roldan, CSJ, the bishop’s Delegate to Religious, said, “We are pleased and gratified that Bishop McGrath honored Women Religious at this time, given the many services they have provided in the Church in Santa Clara County over many years.
“We are delighted that so many local Catholic people attended the Evening Prayer service and reception. Many of these people have been educated by Sisters, so we are pleased that they could join us for this wonderful occasion,” she said.
The Women Religious in the Diocese of San Jose have traditionally staffed Catholic parochial schools as well as teaching religion in parishes and serving as pastoral associates.
Many Sisters also serve the local community in special social service programs, helping the elderly, youth and immigrants in parishes and other locales throughout the county.
• The Valley Catholic, diocesan newspaper, published articles (April 20 edition) featuring a brief history and ministries of Religious communities of women in the diocese.