With Praise and Gratitude!

With praise and gratitude we opened our yearlong celebration of 150 years of the presence of our sisters in the Diocese of Syracuse on Saturday, Jan. 9.

The celebration began with a 4 p.m. Mass at St. Anthony's chapel. Attended by about 140 sisters and 40 associates, our worship was enhanced by exultant music that came forth from the voices of a choir and congregation fired with excitement from the first note of "Be Exalted, O God" to the last note of "O Sing a Hymn To Francis." In addition to the voices was the glorious accompaniment by trumpets, organ, piano, guitars and drums. All were under the direction of S. Terri Laureta who brought forth magnificent musical praise! Terri had written a special song for the anniversary entitled, "God, Gracious Friend," in which we celebrated "all our hopes and all our dreams, God's faithfulness through the years and our trust for the future."

Bishop Thomas Costello, who has been a long time friend of the sisters in Syracuse, was the principal celebrant and homilist. He characteristically gave a memorable reflection on the many "divergences and convergences" over these 150 years which have shaped us and our ministries.

After Mass we gathered at the Franciscan Center where we were treated to a turkey dinner (appropriate for a time of "thanksgiving"), attractively and tastefully prepared by the men and women of our food service department.

Dessert was followed by a skit, "150 Years Revisited," in which the "mothers general" of our history gathered - nine in their heavenly conference room and four on earth to share memories of our past history. Each player well represented her character in telling some of the stories of her time in office, missions she helped establish and support and some humorous anecdotes from her time. It was an entertaining way to "tell the stories" and celebrate our graced history.

As we continue to celebrate throughout 2010, we look forward to events which will remind us of how our God has indeed blessed us!