DOUGLASTON — As Sister Eileen Trainor reflected on the day she first professed her vows, she said it was hard to believe that 60 years with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas had already passed. Her inspiration to become a women religious began at just 10 years old, when she was moved by the kindness of the Sisters of Mercy and their dedication to education.
“They were great teachers, they were very good to all the kids and they were kind to everyone,” Sister Eileen said. “The other thing was, I watched them interact with each other, and they would fool around and you could just see that they enjoyed being with each other.”
Sister Eileen, who called the Sisters of Mercy “special,” remained connected with one of her teachers, visiting her every year until high school. By the time she turned 17, she felt certain of her calling, and chose to dedicate her life to faith and service.
On May 4, Sister Eileen and 42 others were honored at the Sisters and Brothers Jubilee Joy and Hope Mass at Immaculate Conception in Douglaston. It was a celebration for those marking 25, 50, 60, 65, 70, and 75 years of consecrated life.
Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated the Mass. He spoke words of admiration and encouragement during his homily, and thanked the jubilarians for the “legacy of religious life,” which the diocese has “inherited” so much from.
“You care for our parents and grandparents, all the elderly, you care for our priests who are infirmed, you introduce Jesus to our children, and walk with people as they maintain the ordinariness of their lives, helping them to encounter Christ,” Bishop Brennan said.
Sister Maryann Seton Lopiccolo, episcopal delegate for Religious in the Diocese of Brooklyn, said consecrated life is its “own vocation” and “its own ministry” that religious men and women worldwide put a lot of effort into.
“They don’t just bring the commitment to the work, they also bring the witness of the gospel,” Sister Maryann said. “Why do they do this? Because they are sent by Jesus. People have a need, and we are there.”
Sister Maryann, who has put together Jubilee Masses for 27 years, said each time it’s “wonderful” watching her friends receive recognition for their dedication.
During Mass, each jubilarian wore a corsage representing their milestone: silver for 25 years, gold for 50, and pink for anniversaries of 60 years and beyond.
Among the honorees was Sister Jeanne Elaine Mattullo, celebrating her 70th year of religious life with her goddaughter, Jamie Bellamy. Although she retired after 65 years of service as a Sister of St. Dominic, she still dedicates her time as a bereavement facilitator at St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Ridge, where she has been for 35 years.
“It sounds like I never really retired,” Sister Jeanne said. “But it’s an honor to give back, and I will continue to do that as long as God gives me the strength and energy to do so.”
Sister Jeanne graduated from high school at 18. She chose religious life after a brief stint working for an insurance company, which she found unfulfilling.
“When you make a decision to live a consecrated life, you make it by the grace of God,” Sister Jeanne said. “You trust that you’re doing the right thing, and that’s where God wants you to be.”
Bellamy said that when her godmother eventually announced her retirement, her bereavement group “begged her to stay because they loved coming to her for so long.” She said she was honored to be her guest for the evening.
After the jubilarians renewed their vows during the Mass, all of the parishioners were invited to join them for dinner. During the dinner, Bishop Brennan noted the often-overlooked courage it takes to answer the call to religious life.
“You do make that sacrifice, you do give up your life, but that’s technically what you do in marriage — a husband and wife give up their life to each other and then as a couple, they give up their life to be a witness to the Lord and to their family, those are lifelong commitments,” Bishop Brennan said. “We were created to give ourselves away, and so that is something they’re doing. … They give up their lives to God, but then God gives it back and they see the fruits of their labors in powerful ways.”
Sister Lorraine Barry, however, doesn’t think she is giving up her life but, in fact, making it better. She believes God has made a special purpose for everybody and “when a person finds Jesus, there’s nothing greater.”
The 50 years she’s spent with the Little Sisters of the Poor and the elderly she tends to have inspired her to want to live her life more faithfully, she said.
“They share with me their experience and their love of God and their love of our vocation and ministry and how they’ve lived life so faithfully,” Sister Lorraine said. “Their beauty and their depth and the love of God and love for the infirmed, they still do it by ministering to the elderly. It’s wonderful to witness.”