In addition to the recognition of Jubiliarians, Bishop Gerald Barnes was presented with a statue of Saint Joseph as a gift from the women religious of the Diocese on the occasion of his 25th Anniversary.
The Jubiliarians honored were:
Sister Rosa Martinez-Alvarez, H.M.S.P. (25th Anniversary)
A sister of the Hemanas Misioneras Servidoras de la Palabra, Sr. Rosa came to the Diocese a year ago from missionary work in Laredo, Texas. She is now serving in their Community Library in Fontana where she gives small group retreats. She says the word from Scripture that has inspired and supported her these 25 years is from Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed, I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you and uphold you with my right hand of justice.” In this spirit, Sr. Rosa continues, sowing the seeds of God’s word in joy.
Sister Loretta Picucci, SP (50th Anniversary)
She was born and educated in Chicago and taught for a year at Providence Elementary School in the inner city before entering with the Sisters of Providence. From her earliest years, she expressed a desire to serve the poor—she taught in the poorest schools and served in ministry to the poor in several states. The verse “The Lord hears the cry of the Poor” kept calling her, and she is still listening - here in the Diocese, teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in the Coachella Valley.
Sister Linda Nicholson, CSJ (60th Anniversary)
A Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, she was born and raised in San Francisco and is truly a product of Catholic education, from kindergarten through graduate school. Love for church, community and the people she served over these 60 years has motivated Sr. Linda in the ministry of education as teacher, principal, and now, happily, in the Diocese as Associate Superintendent and as Coordinator of Mission Integration. Jesus’ words “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you,” have been a source of strength and guidance for Sr. Linda through these years. She has also been inspired by the invitation, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Sister Patricia Haire, CSJ (70th Anniversary)
Celebrating 70 years as a vowed religious, Sr. Pat entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1946. The need was for religious to establish Catholic schools and for 22 years Sr. Pat was a teacher and school administrator. From 1972-78 she served as Pastoral Associate in parishes in San Bernardino. Now a Clinical Forensic Psychologist, she says that her most exhilarating ministry is Chaplain to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Her most humbling and indelible assignment, she says, was in 2007 when she volunteered with four others to found a Congregational Mission project in Uganda. Sr. Pat is a member of the Diocesan Council for Religious, responding to the needs of the time “with love, joy, compassion and reconciliation to all,” according to the Charism of her community.
Congratulations and may you continue to let your light shine for many years to come. Deja, Que tu luz illumine!