Religious men, women reflect light of Christ

By SISTER DEBORAH KENNEDY, RSM
Liaison With Religious, Archdiocese of Mobile
In 1997 Pope St. John Paul II established World Day for Consecrated Life to be celebrated in conjunction with the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Feb. 2.  This feast is also known as Candlemas Day, the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. 
So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples through the unique witness of their lives of service and of contemplative prayer.
The Archdiocese of Mobile is blessed with 13 Women’s Religious Congregations and 11 Men’s Religious Congregations, including priests and brothers. Irrespective of their distinctive missions and diverse ministerial and contemplative calls, the women and men who embrace Consecrated Life in this archdiocese have shared a common service during this past year. 
With the emergence of the critical issues of COVID-19, systemic racism, political unrest and economic strain, the women and men religious have walked with the people they are privileged to serve, offering personal support and holding them in prayer. They continued their works of mercy and compassion along with the pandemic, challenged to find alternate and safe means to serve. Pope Francis is quoted as saying, “This then is the Consecrated Life: praise which gives joy to God’s people, prophetic vision that reveals what counts.”
The pandemic crisis dramatically emphasized the crucial place these women and men have in the lives of God’s people. 
In a recent column in "The Catholic Week Archbishop Rodi said, “Blessed as we are, we are called to make the world a little better because we are in it.”
 The women and men religious world-wide take these words to heart. Let us remember them and pray in gratitude for their dedication, commitment and service and for the grace they need to sustain and live their vocational call to Consecrated Life.

Thank you to those in religious congregations 
throughout the Archdiocese of Mobile
Sister Jane Kelly, CSJ
Sister Mary Joyce Bringer, CSJ
Sister Becky Holley, CSJ
Sister Joanne Cozzi, DC
Sister Andrea Miller, DC
Sister Ann Claire Rhoads, DC
Sister Louise Busby, DC
Sister Catherine Clemons, DC
Sister Bonnie Hoffman, DC
Sister Marie Cecilia Fausto, lsp
Reverend Mother Judith Meredith, lsp
Sister Maria Goretti Miller, lsp
Sister Anne Joseph Doyle, lsp
Sister Ellen Anne Bueche, lsp
Sister Mary Frances Healy, lsp
Sister Christina Marie Kannangara, lsp
Sister Mary Imelda Rangel, lsp
Sister Clare McDonough, lsp
Sister Sylvia Griglak, MSBT
Sister Gail Lambert, MSBT
Sister Mary Ann Pierson, MSBT
Sister Patricia Langan, MSBT
Sister Miriam Fiduccia, MSBT
Sister Mary Catherine Nguyen, OCD
Sister Mary Agata of Jesus, OCD
Sister Mary Agnes, OCD
Sister Mary Andre Phu Yen of the Eucharist, OCD
Sister Mary Angela, OCD
Sister Mary Assumpta of the Eucharist, OCD
Sister Mary Caroline, OCD
Reverend Mother Mary Cecile Nguyen, OCD
Sister Elias Dreka, OCD
Sister Genevieve Sogota, OCD
Sister Regina of the  Immaculate Heart, OCD
Sister Ann Henkel, OP
Sister Mary Joseph of the Infant Jesus, OP
Sister Mary Aimee of the Holy Spirit, OP
Sister Mary Jordan of the Holy Family, OP
Reverend Mother Mary of the Precious Blood of Jesus, OP
Sister Mary Thomas of the Holy Name of Jesus, OP
Sister Mary Rose of the Pure Heart, OP
Sister Mary St. John of the Incarnation, OP
Sister Margaret Harte, PBVM
Sister Juliane Carey, RSM
Sister Mary Robert Ching, RSM
Sister Deborah Kennedy, RSM
Sister Barbara Murray, RSM
Sister Carolyn Oberkirch, RSM
Sister Mary Ann Wilhelm, RSM
Sister Mary Eileen Wilhelm, RSM
Sister Anne Brady, RSM
Sister Elizabeth Ann Cannon, RSM
Sister Mary Riordan, RSM
Sister Marilyn Graf, RSM
Sister Regina Ann Hatton, RSM
Sister Mary Zoe Keller, RSM
Sister Carol Harbeck, RSM
Sister Joan Serda, RSM
Sister Mary Padraic Hallaron, RSM
Sister Gilda Marie Bell, SBS
Sister Patsy Guyton, SFCC
Sister Kathleen Navarra, SSJ
Sister Patricia Flass, SSJ
Sister Mary Anthony Goss, VHM
Sister Michele Marie Hauser, VHM
Sister Rose Marie Kinsella, VHM
Reverend Mother Margaret Mary Rumpf, VHM
Sister Mary Theodosia Sulek, VHM
Sister Mary Gabrielle Thomas, VHM
Sister Jane de Chantal Word, VHM
Sister Inez de Sales Dicks, VHM
Sister Maria Theresa Ervin, VHM
Sister Mary Ellen Mayer, VHM
Sister Mary Louis Ross ,VHM
Sister Elisabeth Marie Therese Strei, VHM
Sister Myriam Sawal, VHM
Sister Mary Joseph Ramirez, VHM
Sister Magdalene Gaboardi, VHM
Sister Audrey Gingras, VHM
Sister Mary Roberta Viano, VHM
Sister Christine Marie, VHM
Sister Maria Krestyn, Transfer Sister 
Sister Consuelo Cortez, Postulant
Sister Lourdes Laboy, Postulate
Sister Dawn Ward, Postulate
Sister Nelida Naveros-Cordoba, CDP
Brother Celestine Algero, SC
Brother Paul Mulligan, SC
Brother Mathias Amos, SC
Brother Peter Stanfield, SSE
Brother Ferrell Blank, SJ
Rev. Bruce Krause, C.M.
Rev. Vincent Finnerty, C.M.
Rev. Manuel Williams, C.R.
Rev. Christopher Sialo, F.M.H.
Rev. Francis Matiru, F.M.H.
Rev. Daniel Owuor, F.M.H. 
Rev. Selvan Arputharaj, H.G.N.
Rev. Prabhu Arockiasamy, H.G.N.
Rev. Amal Samy, H.G.N.
Rev. Justin Isaac, H.G.N.
Rev. Paul Vincent Ravi, H.G.N.
Rev. James Singarayar, H.G.N.
Rev. David Hamm, S.T.
Rev. Raul Vasquez, S.T.
Brother Senan Gallagher, S.T.
Rev. Ramon Flores, S.T.
Rev. Robert Poirier, S.J.
Rev. Rafael Baylon, S.J.
Rev. Stephen Campbell, S.J.
Rev. Christopher Viscardi, S.J.
Rev. Michael Williams, S.J.
Rev. Stephen Hornat, S.S.E.
Rev. Bura Koroba, S.S.J.
Rev. Hyginus Boboh, S.S.J.