Days of Jubilation
2019 Jubilarians mark collective 250 years in service to god’s people
Sisters Frances Marie Duncan (50th Jubilee), Karen Buco (60th Jubilee) and Cecilia Jacko (70th Jubilee) renew their vows at Mount Assisi Convent on August 3.
During the offertory procession in Pittsburgh, Father Donald Buchleitner accepts a vase of white roses from Rita Metro, niece of late Sister Susanne Cherney, who would have celebrated her 70th Jubilee this year.
Sisters and friends bestow the Blessing of St. Francis upon Sisters Frances Marie and Karen at Monocacy Manor in July 2019.
Nothing solidifies summer in our community like our annual Jubilee celebrations, times of gratitude and renewal for sisters marking milestone anniversaries. Gatherings in Bethlehem in July and in Pittsburgh in August shined light on the enduring dedication – 250 collective years – to religious life by four of our sisters.
Golden Jubilarian Sister Frances Marie Duncan (50th) was celebrated, as were Sisters Karen Buco (60th), Grace Chermack (70th) and Cecilia Jacko (70th). Family, friends, clergy and alumnae joined in on this pair of special Saturdays, each including liturgy and dinner.
The first drew family and friends to Monocacy Manor on July 6, 2019, as Sisters Frances Marie Duncan and Karen Buco marked 50 and 60 years, respectively, in religious life. Monocacy’s Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel was filled with prayers and music provided by the sisters, associates and family members. Father Anthony Azzarto, SJ was the celebrant.
Our video celebrating the School Sisters of St. Francis (U.S. Province) 2019 Jubilarians and their collective 250 years in service to the Lord.
Guests later gathered in the dining room at St. Francis Center for Renewal, where the event decor invoked the simple beauty of nature in keeping with the Give Thanks to God theme. A video slideshow (see above) led the jubilarians and their guests on a trip down Memory Lane, as well.
Sister Frances Marie and Karen – along with Sisters Cecilia Jacko and Grace Chermack – celebrated again in Pittsburgh on August 3, with a Mass and dinner at Mount Assisi Convent.
The Pittsburgh celebration offered an opportunity for local family and friends of Sisters Karen and Cecilia to share the day with them. Mass was celebrated by Father Donald Buchleitner with Father Hadi Sasmita, former student of Sister Frances Marie, as concelebrant.
Our community also paused to remember late Sisters Susanne Cherney, Frances Pastusek, Lawrence Waxman and Martin Pavelko, who would have celebrated jubilees this year.
In 2020, seven sisters will mark milestones in religious life — Sisters Rose Ann Rovnak (75th), Anita Kuchera (70th), Margaret Elaine Rovnak (70th), Jo Goolish (60th), Jeanne Marie Ulica (60th), Carol Ann Papp (50th) and Gracy Kundukulam (25th).
S. GRACE CHERMACK
70 Years
S. CECILIA JACKO
70 Years
S. KAREN BUCO
60 Years
S. FRANCES MARIE DUNCAN
50 Years