National Catholic Sisters Week is an annual celebration that takes place from March 8–14. Created to honor women religious, it is a series of events that instruct, enlighten, and bring greater focus to the lives of these incredible women. It’s our chance to recognize all they have done for us. It’s also our hope that as more young women learn about women religious, more will choose to follow their example.
National Catholic Sisters Week is supported by a $3.3 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, is headquartered at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minn., and is held in conjunction with National Women’s History Month.*
In celebration of National Catholic Sister’s Week, our good friend, Fr. Tom Rzepiela, invited us to a special Mass and renewal of our vows at on Sunday, March 15 at St. Thomas of Villanova Parish in Palatine. Sr. Patricia, Sr. Pauline, Sr. Judith, Sr. Mary Paschal and Sr. Grace (visiting from St. Joseph’s Home, Totowa, NJ) joined Sr. Francisca Nzeke, H.H.C.J. (Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus), and Sr. Carrie Miller, SLW (Sisters of the Living Word) at the 9:00 AM Mass.
Fr. Tom asked the congregation to raise their hands in blessings over all of us as they repeated the words of Pope Francis: “We pray that our loving God gives each of you the grace to faithfully live your consecrated way of life, so you can bear witness to the love and salvation of Jesus. You are called to be living examples of joy, love, and charity.
Front Row (Left to Right): Sr. Francisca, H.H.C.J., Sr. Pauline, Sr. Judith, Sr. Mary Paschal
Back Row (Left to Right): Sr. Patricia, Sr. Carrie Miller, SLW, Sr. Grace.
*What is National Catholic Sisters Week? Click here to find out!
National Catholic Sisters Week