2020 jubilee spotlight
Sister Jeanne Marie Ulica
Summer is the time when our community traditionally celebrates its jubilarians — those Sisters among us who mark milestones in religious life during any given year. But this is not like any other year. Our jubilee celebrations set for both Pittsburgh and Bethlehem, Pa., 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 Jeanne Marie Ulica, who celebrates her 60th Jubilee this year.
Born and raised in Farrell, Pa., Sister Jeanne Marie entered our community in 1959, made first vows in 1960 and final vows in 1965. Her earliest days in ministry were spent teaching in the Pennsylvania towns of Erie, Barnesboro, New Castle and Hellertown, as well as in Westfield, Mass., and Jersey City and Guttenberg in New Jersey.
In addition to ministering as a sacristan and liturgist, Sister Jeanne Marie served as principal of our St. Francis Academy high school in San Antonio, Texas, from 1986 until it closed in 2002.
She has held various leadership roles, including provincial vicar of the former Pittsburgh Province and the United State Province and general councilor at our international headquarters in Rome, Italy, where she ministers today.
As a youngster near the Ulica Family homestead in Farrell, Pa.
Graduating from high school in 1958
As a postulant with her parents in 1959
Sister Jeanne Marie (center) with her profession group upon their reception into the community in August 1959
Meeting Pope John Paul II in the 1990s
Ministering in India in the early 2000s
Serving as part of the General Administration in Rome, Italy 2002-2006
Taking part in an International Formators Conference in Rome in 2018