Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
May 22, 2002
Jubilarians celebrate anniversaries
Priests and nuns offer advice to those considering consecrated life
Religious sisters and order priests celebrating 25, 40, 50 and 60 years of service were honored by Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., at a convocation May 18 held at St. Joseph Hospital's Russell Pavilion.
The honored guests shared prayer, breakfast and heard a talk from Sister Joan McGlinchey, M.S.C., vicar for religious in the Archdiocese of Chicago, who addressed the theme "Celebrating Our Call; Living Our Response."
A list of honorees, their ministries and their advice to those interested in the religious life follow:
Silver jubilarians: 25 years
Father Michael Carey, O.P.
Ministry: Does classic Dominican work — mostly itinerant preaching at parish missions. He teaches at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Advice: Be cautious — see the lived reality and not just the historical ideal. Be clear about what you're really looking for. Shop around. Check out newer canonical forms of life. Be courageous in making a life decision and sticking to it.
Father Hoa Do, C.M.C.
Ministry: The North Vietnam native joined the Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix in 1953. He was ordained to the priesthood at Springfield, Mo., in 1977. He was the first assistant for the congregation in Carthage, Mo., and publisher and editor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Magazine for nine years. He served as pastor of Queen of Vietnamese at Port Arthur, Texas, for nine years. He has been pastor of Queen of Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Denver for seven years.
Advice: Show those seeking their vocation what God wants them to do and what way God wants them to go.
Father Thomas Holahan, C.S.P.
Ministry: He is parochial vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Boulder, where he has worked with campus ministry and social justice issues for over four years.
Golden jubilarians: 50 years
Sister Regina Ann Green, S.C.L.
Ministry: She taught elementary school children for 26 years in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. After teaching she served at St. John's Hospital in California. She has served as director of religious education at St. James Parish in Denver for the last 14 years.
Advice: The religious life takes courage as well as great faith and unlimited hope, but above all a great love of the Lord. The Lord can do great things with you — more than you ever thought possible!
Sister Dorothy Mary Bauer, S.L.
Sister Mary Ann Coyle, S.L.
Sister Mary Ann
Cunningham, S.L.
Sister Eva Marie Salas, S.L.
Sister Markita Haefling, O.P.
Ministry: She was a teacher for 40 years in schools in Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado. Most of her teaching was in math and science. She works as an administrative assistant for Mercy Housing Service Corporation.
Advice: "Be not afraid." Do research into the charisms of different communities and find one that corresponds to your goals.
Sister Kathleen Mary
O'Malley, S.L.
Ministry: She served as a teacher, board of trustee member, and one year as interim president at St. Mary's Academy in Englewood. She served as the program and activities director for both Cathedral and Marian plazas. She served on the Sisters of Loretto administrative staff in the areas of work development and health care/retirement. Until recently, she was the supervisor of emergency services for Catholic Charities. She works part time for Catholic Charities managing the Homeless Prevention grant program.
Advice: Someone interested in religious life needs both senses of balance and humor. They should "hang around" with people who are positive and happy.
Sister Mary John
Thomas, O.S.B.
Ministry: Her ministries have included teaching in elementary schools in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Kansas City, Kan. She also served as prioress of Benet Hill Monastery. She has been a pastoral minister at St. Vincent de Paul Parish and is currently at Our Lady of Fatima Parish.
Advice: It takes daily grace to live out the religious life commitment. One must be willing to accept the daily challenges to growth and conversion. This is a daily process.
Sister Betty Voss, B.V.M.
Ministry: She taught elementary school for 11 years. She first taught at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, then in her home parish in Davenport, Iowa, then in Chattanooga, Tenn. She taught three years at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, and 12 years at Mundelein College in Chicago. She coordinated the English program in a bilingual school in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She has served at Our Lady of Grace in Denver and Holy Cross Parish in Thornton. Two years ago she was invited by her congregation to coordinate their associate program.
Advice: Attempting to live one's life totally focused on the Gospel message presents many challenges, but this way of life also provides enrichment and peace.
Diamond jubilee: 60 years
Sister Helen Cassino, O.S.F.
Ministry: She taught elementary school in Connecticut, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York. She both taught and served as principal when she was in the Bronx, N.Y. She also taught 20 years at Marycrest after transferring to the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity from a community called the Apostles of the Sacred Heart.
Advice: Go for it! Be open to the Holy Spirit!
Sister Lois Dunphy, S.L.
Ministry: She taught in elementary schools for 32 years in Missouri, New Mexico and Colorado. She also helped in the community's nursing home in El Paso, Texas, and at the Loretto Center in Denver. During many of these years she taught in religious education classes.
Advice: I say "listen to your heart." If you feel called to this life talk to someone who will help you follow this call. Then get on with it with trust, with love, with joy and with gusto! "Were not our hearts burning within us when Jesus spoke to us?" So I say, "Don't keep Jesus waiting!"
Sister Mary Garcia, S.S.S.F.
Ministry: She is a native of Fort Collins. She taught one year in Milwaukee. She spent 28 years in Honduras and three years in Costa Rica. In Honduras she worked in an orphanage, was the director of schools, and did pastoral work. For nine years she was the bilingual secretary to the bishop in New Orleans and the pastoral assistant in his parish. For eight years she was part of the international team of the School Sisters of St. Francis. She is a volunteer at Holy Family Church in Fort Collins. She is writing about Honduras.
Advice: While religious life is not easy, it is a wonderful life. As a member of a community one has the support and opportunity to be present to persons in need, especially the poor. I think the greatest need in our time is to help people find meaning in life.
Sister Vincent DePaul
Grilliot, S.C.Ministry: She has served in the ministries of education and pastoral work. She began with seven years of elementary teaching followed by 21 years of secondary teaching and administration. The last 30 years have been in pastoral work. She serves as pastoral assistant at Mother of God Church in Denver. Advice: Be open to the Spirit. Choose someone whom you feel comfortable with and discuss background, desires and aspirations.Sister Christine Stahl, S.C.Ministry: She taught for 29 years in grades four through seven and high school in Ohio, Michigan, Maryland and at Cathedral High School in Denver. She also served at Penrose Hospital and El Pomar. Before retiring she served in Archdiocesan Housing for 17 years. Her ministry in retirement is prayer and visiting the sick and lonely, both in person and through letters.Advice: Right before I entered the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati one of the sisters said to me, "You'll never regret it!" I never have. On the contrary, I am constantly thanking God for his call.
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