English #6

EASTERN AMERICAN PROVINCE

Celebrating Jean Gailhac's Birth
and
RSHM Presence in the United States

Loving God
of our beginnings
before we were formed
in the heart of Jean Gailhac,
in the generosity
of our founding community
in Béziers,
in the courage
of the six sisters
who came to Sag Harbor in 1877,
you called us, the
Religious of the
Sacred Heart of Mary.
Out of many people
you have formed us.
Bless us now, as then.
Bless all those
whose lives touch us.
Through your graciousness,
let us alwys
reach beyond boundaries,
longing to mend the broken circle,
to heal the fractures
in the world around us,
and within our own souls,
so that all may have life. AMEN.

(Beatrice McMahon, RSHM)

Card prepared for the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of Venerable Jean Gailhac and the 125th Anniversary of RSHM presence in the United States

The celebration of the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of Venerable Jean Gailhac, founder of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary and the 125th Anniversary of RSHM presence in the United States, was held at St. Agnes Cathedral in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York. The liturgy began with a procession of RSHM carrying banners representing the lives of the first sisters who came to the United States, arriving at Sag Harbor, New York, 125 years ago: Sisters Basil, Benedict, Augustine, Bartholomew, Arsenius and Agatha.

banners representing the lives of the first sisters who came to the United States, arriving at Sag Harbor, New York, 125 years ago: Sisters Basil, Benedict, Augustine, Bartholomew, Arsenius and Agatha

Banners representing the 6 sisters who came to Sag Harbor in 1877

The Eastern American Province RSHM choir led the congregation in joyous, reflective and festive songs.

RSHM choir

RSHM Choir: Front row left to right: Sisters Maria del Carmen Ramirez, Agnes Fleming, Thomas Golden, Margaret Ellen Flannelly, Dympna Haber, Madeleine Cain, Loretta Ruvo, Margarita Bermudez. Back row left to right: Sisters St. Edward McLaughlin, Marie O'Malley, Marcella Tyson, Sabyna Schmitz

Sister Letizia Pappalardo, provincial superior of the Eastern American Province welcomed the congregation to the liturgy, at which Bishop Wlliam Murphy, Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre presided. Sister Maria Teresa Morgadinha, represented the General Council of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, and Sisters Dolores Wood Joyce Mahar represented the Western American Province.

Congregation present at the celebration in St. Agnes Cathedral. Sr. Maria Teresa Morgadinha is standing at the center aisle left side; Sr. Letizia Pappalardo is standing at the center aisle right side.

View of the congregation at the celebration. Left center: Sister Maria Teresa Morgadinha. Right center: Sister Letizia Pappalardo.

Bishop Murphy's homily challenged all to remember the call of St. Paul, the charism of Jean Gailhac, the spirit of the sisters who came to the United States 125 years ago, and to continue in ministry using both individual and communal gifts and talents for the service of the church and the world.

To celebrate the RSHM gift of internationality, the Prayers of the Faithful were read in several different languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Gaelic.

Sister Anna Maria at lectern reading Prayer of the Faithful in Italian

Left to right: Sisters Ines Gizzarelli (leader of song), Anna Maria Lionetti (reader in Italian), Marion Fahey (reader in English).

Sister Margarita Bermudez at the lectern reading the Prayer of the Faithful in Spanish

Left to right: Sisters Ines Gizzarelli, Margarita Bermudez (reader in Spanish), FernandaMoreira (reader in Portuguese)

The congregation, young and old, who joined in prayer, song and Eucharist included family and friends, former Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, present and past students, and many people with whom we minister today.

Distribution of Eucharist to members of the congregation during the celebration liturgy

Reception of the Eucharist during the liturgy

Following the liturgy, there was a reception for RSHM and friends in St. Agnes School.