UPDATED: Religious sisters in diocese gather to celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life

Fourteen sisters representing religious communities on mission to the Church in central and northeastern Missouri came together Feb. 5 to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life.

The sisters gathered in the Alphonse J. Schwartze Memorial Catholic Center in Jefferson City to pray, visit, share a meal and help God reinforce each other’s unique baptismal call to holiness and service in the Church.

“I am deeply grateful for the service you provide in our diocese, along with the witness of your lives and the unique charism that each of you brings to carrying out your baptismal calling,” said Bishop W. Shawn McKnight, who joined the sisters for their celebration.

They began with a prayer service in the St. Alphonsus Liguori Chapel.

They sang hymns, chanted Psalms, offered prayers of thanksgiving and petition and contemplated the day’s Scripture readings.

Tom Halpin, music director for Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish in Jefferson City, provided keyboard accompaniment to the singing.

Bishop McKnight gave a reflection on the day’s Gospel reading (Matthew 5:13-16), in which Jesus encourages his followers to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.”

“The bishop expressed his appreciation to all of the sisters for their dedication to the mission of the church,” recalled Sister Suzanne Walker of the Dominican Sisters of the third Order of St. Dominic of Sparkill, New York.

“He referred to the ‘salt of the earth’ and how all of us are as valuable as salt and bring flavor and life to the Church,” she said.

Together, the sisters prayed for the world, the Church and all who serve God.

They prayed for all who are called to consecrated life; for others to be called and to answer that calling; for the leaders of each of their congregations of religious women; for families throughout the diocese; and for all who have died.

They also contemplated their own call to religious life and how each could further advance the founding mission of her congregation at this time in history.

They exchanged a sign of peace and received a blessing before adjourning to a “happy half-hour” of fellowship, followed by a catered meal and an abundance of stories and laughter.

“Heavenly Father,” the bishop prayed, “we ask you to bless us as we contemplate the gift of a vocation and the gift of Consecrated Life. Bless these women who have given their lives to Christ in service of the Church.”

He presented each sister a rosary from Jerusalem, and they promised their prayerful support to him and the people of the Diocese of Jefferson City.

Good to be back

It was the first time the sisters gathered for this purpose since 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was very nice just to be together again,” said Sister Kathleen Wegman of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, director of Mission Integration for Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, and the bishop’s delegate for religious sisters in this diocese.

“Thank God the weather cooperated and we were able to gather!” she stated.

Pope St. John Paul II initiated the World Day for Consecrated Life in 1997, to be celebrated each year on Feb. 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.

The Church in the United States celebrates the day on the Sunday closest to the feastday.

Sr. Suzanne noted that the number of sisters serving in the diocese has dwindled since their last Consecrated Life celebration, “but those in attendance had a great time renewing friendships from the past.”

Sister Claret Feldhake of the School Sisters of Notre Dame agreed it was good to be back together.

“Starting the afternoon with prayer was very inspirational and uplifting,” said Sr. Claret, who teaches at St. Joseph School in Westphalia and St. Mary School in Frankenstein. “Then, proceeding to gather socially and share some good stories indeed warmed the heart.

“I was so impressed with the great and varied ministries of our sisters,” she stated. “We may be small in number, but God is indeed using us to build his kingdom in so many ways.”

Sister Ruth Ann Klauser of the School Sisters of Notre Dame recently returned to Missouri after serving for eight years on the SSND General Council in Rome.

“It was great reuniting with everyone and sharing their smiles, laughter and great stories — plus the delicious food,” said Sr. Ruth Ann.

She recalled Bishop McKnight’s reflection on sisters being light and salt for the world.

“He encouraged us to continue to share our light with everyone we meet,” said Sr. Ruth Ann. “He invited us to join our service with him in this diocese.”

She expressed her gratitude to the bishop and Sr. Kathleen and the Chancery staff members for planning the celebration and to Mr. Halpin for accompanying the singing.

“It was such a gift to be together!” said Sister Mary Ruth Wand of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, who serves as a pastoral minister, visiting hospitals and nursing homes in Pettis County.

“Our time is always a perfect balance of prayer, sharing, catching up and dining,” she stated. “I am grateful and appreciate all who made it happen! I smiled all the way home and prayed for all involved.”

“It was a good gathering,” said Sister Bernita Wasinger of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, who is involved in ministry to seniors in Loose Creek, Linn and Westphalia. “There was never a lull in the conversation and laughter.”

Sr. Bernita recalled Bishop McKnight’s encouragement to be “salt” and “light” — a real religious presence in the diocese.

“We are so few and there is so much to do,” she noted.

usccb.org/committees/clergy-consecrated-life-vocations/world-day-consecrated-life