We could all use some reasons to rejoice, right? Here’s 10 of them.

Last updated on: August 17, 2017 at 8:58 am by Deacon Greg Kandra

We could all use some reasons to rejoice, right? Here’s 10 of them. 2017-08-17T08:58:43-04:00 Deacon Greg Kandra

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From the In My Backyard Desk, some news from the next diocese over, Rockville Centre:

Ten Sisters of Life professed their first vows Aug. 3 at a Mass of Profession celebrated by Bishop John Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern.

The Sisters of Life is a religious community of diocesan right in the Archdiocese of New York founded in 1991 by the late Cardinal John O’Connor. Sisters of Life take the traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, as well as a fourth vow to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life.

Sister Jeanne Marie, S.V., 37, was born in Malaysia and later moved to Auckland, New Zealand, where she attended Immaculate Conception parish. She graduated from the University of Auckland with a degree in mechanical engineering. She was an international travel consultant before entering religious life. She is the daughter of Dr. Raphael and Catherine Ng and has three brothers and three sisters.

Sister Mercy Marie, S.V., 35, was raised in South Wilmington, Ill., and attended St. Lawrence parish. She graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in business administration-marketing. Before entering religious life, she was the director of programs at a Catholic education program for women, Endow (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women). She is the daughter of Drew and Mary Elizabeth Sweeney and has two brothers and two sisters.

Sister Theresa Francesca, S.V., 32, was raised in Springfield, Va., and attended St. Raymond of Penafort parish. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and holds a master’s degree in theology for the New Evangelization from the Augustine Institute. Before entering religious life, she was a missionary with Christ in the City in Denver. She is the daughter of Ted and Debbie Tolpa and has one brother.

Sister Céleste Mariae Thérèse, S.V., 29, was raised in Brooks, Alberta, Canada and attended St. Mary’s parish. She graduated from Trinity Western University/Redeemer Pacific College with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a minor in Catholic studies. Before entering religious life, she worked as a registered nurse in palliative home care. She is the daughter of Brian and Terri de Jong and has one brother.

Sister Gemma Grace Marie, S.V., 28, was raised in Columbus, Ga., and attended Holy Family parish. She graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and Columbus State University with a master’s degree in secondary mathematics education. Before entering religious life, she was in graduate school. She is the daughter of William (Bill) and Marion Harris and has one brother and one sister.

Read about the rest. God love ’em all.

Read more about the Sisters of Life on their website.

We needs this apostolate now, more than ever—at a time when human life is increasingly being marginalized, discarded, brutalized, devalued and even snuffed out.

As they describe themselves:

The Sisters of Life is a contemplative / active religious community of women founded in 1991 by John Cardinal O’Connor for the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of every human life. Like all religious communities, we take the three traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. We also are consecrated under a special, fourth vow to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life.

Reverence and gratitude for the unique and unrepeatable gift of each human life made in the image and likeness of God fuels the prayer of each Sister, our first mission in building the Kingdom of God and the “Culture of Life.” It also provides the starting point for our interactions with others, especially relationships in community between our 80 Sisters (who come from across the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Australia and Spain), and in our apostolates.

Inspired by the love of Christ our Spouse, the author of Life, we desire to pour out all our gifts of nature and grace in the apostolate, that nothing of the gift of life, and no one to whom it has been given, should be lost.

Pray for them and their vocations!

Photo: Sisters of Life

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