JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
Each year jubilee bells ring out in celebration of significant
Marist anniversaries. In 2009, Sr. Joan Colleran celebrated
25 years of Religious Life. Sisters Elizabeth Gilmartin and Mary Johnson
celebrated 50 years. A Jubilee is a very significant moment, not only
for the Jubilarians but also for the Marist community, family and friends.
It is a time to pause and thank God for the gift of vocation, for the
wonder and mystery of how God works in our lives, enabling us to respond
in love, commitment and fidelity.
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Sr. Joan |
Prior to entering the Marist community, Sr. Joan worked as a Chef – a gift that keeps on giving in every Marist community where she lives. When she takes a turn in the kitchen we can expect a feast.
As a Marist, Sr. Joan’s fulltime ministry has been to the sick
in a hospital setting. The following excerpt from the homily given by
Fr. Michael Drennan, SJ, at the jubilee mass points to the love, commitment
and fidelity which are integral to Sr. Joan’s ministry as a Marist and
a nurse.
“...You show a heart that loves, that serves without counting
the cost, a compassionate heart that reaches out to others in your nursing
and your community; you have cared for the most vulnerable, including
HIV patients and drug addicts, as well as for the elderly in community.
Much is hidden, done in a quiet way, and known only to a few; you are
not one to parade it. But for you nursing is not a career but a way to
serve in the spirit of compassion and love of Mary who noticed and interceded.
That does not come out of a small heart that is preoccupied with petty
things; it requires a large heart that sees a bigger world in need, one
that sees suffering people, and seeks to reach out and minister to them,
bringing them comfort and healing. You give without counting the cost.....”
Sr. Joan cetebrates
with family and friends
Sr. Elizabeth Gilmartin is the
youngest of six children born to Myles and Brigid Gilmartin. As she celebrated
her Golden Jubilee, she could look back at 50 years of dedicated service
in the ministry of education in England and Ireland.
Following studies for a degree in UCD and a diploma in education
at the University of London, Sr. Elizabeth spent 16 years in The Rosary,
Sunninghill – a Marist Sisters’ secondary school, first as a Maths teacher
and then as Headmistress in administration. Staff and pupils in the school
spoke of her as “ an excellent headmistress, sensitive to the problems
of everyday living and always ready to render positive help and sympathetic
advice. Under her leadership, the school went from strength to strength.
Pupil numbers increased and academic achievements soared. Her warmth,
energy, integrity, loyalty and unflinching honesty were a source of inspiration
to all”.
On leaving Sunninghill, Sr. Elizabeth spent two years studying
for a Master’s degree in Formative Spirituality at Duquesne University
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And soon after, she was back in England again,
this time as Headteacher in St. Joseph’s Middle School in Hexham where
she spent 10 years.
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Sr. Elizabeth(R)
cutting the cake |
In 1996, Sr. Elizabeth discerned that God was calling her to return to
Ireland, back to where it all began. Soon she found herself sharing her
gifts as an educator in the role of Diocesan Advisor to Secondary schools
in the Dublin archdiocese. And following that she took up a ministry as
chaplain at the IT in Tallaght from 2001-2009. And there is more! A
new call has brought her across the Atlantic to Roseville, Michigan (a
suburb of Detroit) where she serves on the leadership team of the Marist
Region of Atlantica. The Marist call in Sr. Elizabeth’s life has truly
been a great adventure.
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Sr. Mary |
Sr. Mary Johnson also celebrated
that significant milestone of 50 years of Religious life as a Marist.
Sr. Mary’s Marist vocation was also lived out in the ministry
of education as a Home Economics teacher. After training in Sion Hill,
Dublin, she taught in the Marist Sisters’ Secondary schools in Tubbercurry
and Carrick-on-Shannon. Then she moved east, closer to the Irish Sea,
where she taught in St. Kilian Community School in Bray. After several
years in St. Kilian’s, a new call came from across the sea – from Sterling
in Scotland – where she served four years in pastoral ministry. And then
she moved back to Dublin, to Kenilworth Square, where her outreach ministry
is in adult literacy. And, of course, her culinary skills continued to
be enjoyed by community and all who come to visit.
Sisters who have lived and worked with Sr. Mary speak of her
as a very generous person, with a great sensitivity and attentiveness
to people. She was very dearly loved by her students. Those who had difficulty
learning experienced her as a kind, encouraging mentor. And she also has
a great sense of fun. She loves to tease!
Sr. Mary celebrates with family and friends
