Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez honored six women marking anniversaries of 25, 60, 65, and 70 years in consecrated life during a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola on May 9.
The celebration recognized Sister Maria Linda M. Pamulo for her 25 years, Claretian Missionary Sister Margarita Gomez and Carmelite Sister Alice Webster for their 60 years, Sacred Heart of Mary Sister Angela Ospina and Mercy Sister Diane Russo for their 65 years, and Claretian Missionary Sister Teresa Tabraue for her 70 years of service.
At the start of the liturgy, Bishop Rodríguez asked parishioners to pray for these women. He said, “and in particular, we rejoice with Sister Margarita on the 60th anniversary of her full life as a religious, and many of those 60 years spent in hard, effective work here in the Diocese of Palm Beach as a professor at St. Vincent Seminary and working as God’s witness in so many parishes and communities here.” He continued: “Because of your wonderful witness as a religious sister, we also give thanks to the Lord and pray for your good health, and also pray that other young women could join religious life in the different communities present in our diocese to continue the ministry and the apostolate that you have inspired.”
Concelebrants included Bishop Emeritus Gerald M. Barbarito; Father Gavin Badway; Father Michael Cairnes; Carmelite Father Michael Driscoll; and Father Kevin McQuone.
In his homily Bishop Rodríguez said about women and men religious: “We praise the name of the Lord and we give thanks to the Lord for their lives and their dedication,” he said. “And we also, in a special way, look at their lives with eyes of hope because every time… God blesses our families… with a religious vocation… It means that really…the work of evangelization… is producing good fruits.”
After Mass there was a dinner reception where each jubilarian shared reflections on her journey. The sisters described paths from diverse backgrounds—such as missionary service across continents or lifelong education roles—and expressed gratitude for their vocations.