Sister Mary Alice Jarosz, Director of Mission Integration at The Village at Marymount, celebrated her 50-year Jubilee during Mass and a reception on June 22. The date also was Sister's birthday, so she had many reasons to celebrate with family members from Michigan, friends, and fellow Sisters.
Sixty-year Jubilarians included Clare Hall resident, Sister Joanne Therese Jastrzemski, and Marymount Place resident, Sister Joyce Krajniak. Also celebrating 60 years were three Marymount Convent residents: Sisters Madeline Antoskiewicz, Geraldine Deininger, and Maria Goretti Kondziolka.
Father Ronald Szudarek was the main celebrant and homilist and Father Michael Surufka, OFM, concelebrated. After the homily the Sister Jubilarians renewed their vows and were given a candle and tau Cross as symbols of their ongoing commitment to their Franciscan way of life. Sister Jane Blabolil, president of the Sisters, offered a reflection after Communion in which she offered gratitude from th ecommunity to the Jubilarians and noted an extensive list of all the various ministries they had been involved in.
Several of Sister Mary Alice's great nieces and nephews -- including Annie Borek, Claire Borek, Lilli Borek, Oliver Borek, Luke Pitcher, and Shane Pitcher -- also participated in the Mass by presenting the gifts.
The Mass was held in the Marymount Convent Chapel, and a reception with well-wishers followed at Catered Elegance in Bedford.
"Jubilee is a time of remembrance and we are grateful for the privilege of being Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis for all these years," Sister Mary Alice said. "The blessings of living in (this) community have enhanced our lives and ministry."
Administration and staff members honored Sister Mary Alice with a luncheon reception on June 19 in Villa St. Joseph's Assisi Hall. Tony Coury, Director of Operations, presented Sister Mary Alice with an inscribed Bulova watch.