2020 jubilee spotlight
Sister Gracy Kundukulam
Summer is when our community traditionally celebrates its jubilarians — those Sisters among us marking milestones in religious life. But this is not like any other year. Our jubilee celebrations have been postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our 2020 jubilarians may not get to celebrate during a special Mass with family and friends, yet their many years of service to the Lord remain worthy of celebration here. Please join us in acknowledging this milestone moment for Sister Gracy Kundukulam who, as the youngest member of the U.S. Province, celebrates her 25th Jubilee this year.
Sister Gracy’s infectious smile and endless energy came to us by way of our international congregation’s Region of India. Inspired by Sisters she saw offering Communion to sick patients at hospitals in her native Kerala, India, she entered religious life in 1990, made first vows in 1995 and final vows in 2000.
A self-described happy but somewhat shy person, Sister spent nearly 10 years at our international headquarters in Rome, Italy, completing her formation, attending nursing school and serving in the congregation’s health clinic there. In 2001, she came to the U.S. to minister as a nurse at our former Marian Hall Home in Pittsburgh, Pa. It was there that Sister Gracy felt called to become a permanent member of the U.S. Province in 2016 to serve, in part, as a caregiver to our elder Sisters.
An avid gardener who also loves to cook, Sister Gracy develops care plans for the elderly at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh and collaborates with other Sisters on decorating the chapel there for special observances.
Shown with the attending priests upon making her First Communion in the late 1970s.
With her mother on the day of her First Profession in October 1995.
During her First Profession Mass in 1995.
Bishop Joseph Kundukulam (no relation) accepts Sister Gracy’s First Vows on October 16, 1995.
With her mother and administrators of the Delegation of India and international congregation on the day of her First Profession in 1995.
Working as a nurse in our former Marian Hall Home in 2010.
The Sisters of the U.S. Province welcome Sister Gracy as a member in 2016.
Sister Gracy (center) joins Sisters Benna Jose and Ancy Francis in a traditional Indian dance during our Sisters 2018 Jubilee celebration.
Sister Gracy has a special love of our older sisters, including the late Sister Antoinette Popovic.
Sister Gracy is beloved among the residents of Mt. Assisi Place, including long-time resident Dana Funk.