Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio celebrated the annual Sisters and Brothers Jubilee Mass on the Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 21, at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston.

As the congregation sang the hymn, “All Creatures of Our God and King,” jubilarian Brother William Boslet, O.S.F., served as cross bearer in the entrance procession. Jubilarian Brother Francis David, S.C., and jubilarian Brother Dan O’Riordan, F.M.S., were candle bearers.

Special concelebrants at the Mass included retired Auxiliary Bishop Guy Sansaricq; Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros; Msgr. Joseph Grimaldi and Father Thomas Pettei, episcopal vicars for Brooklyn and Queens, respectively; and Msgr. John Bracken, brother of jubilarian Sister Agnes Bracken, D.W.

Silver jubilarian Brother Bryan de Porres Lewis, S.C., offered the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, and golden jubilarian Mercy Sister Theresa Agliardi offered the second reading from the First Letter of Peter. Golden jubilarian Sister Helen Kearney, C.S.J., proclaimed the Gospel according to St. John.

In his homily, Bishop DiMarzio congratulated the religious women and men gathered before him on their years of total self-commitment to God, and communion of life.

“It is God’s grace that sustains us,” the bishop said.

Bishop DiMarzio then led the jubilarians in the renewal of their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, made once again “in joy and hope” for the glory of God and through the intercession of the Blessed Mother.

The offertory gifts were presented to the bishop by jubilarian Sisters Carmele Nerette, FdeM and Rosemary McKenna, D.W.; and Franciscan Brothers Robert Kent, and Leonard Conway.

Following Mass, jubilarians had their photos taken with Bishop DiMarzio and attended a dinner reception with their families and friends.