The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia 2023 Jubilee Celebration was held the weekend of June 3-4, 2023. Jubilarians celebrating 50 and 70 years of religious profession gathered at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston, Pennsylvania, for a weekend of recalling memories and celebrating both the years past and the years to come. On Saturday afternoon, congregational leadership hosted a special Mass of Remembrance for members of the jubilee set who have died and an honorary dinner for all the jubilarians at Assisi House, our retirement residence in Aston. On Sunday morning both jubilarians and guests gathered in Our Lady of Angels Chapel for a joyous jubilee liturgy. Father Cyprian Rosen, OFM Cap., presided over the liturgy during which the jubilarians renewed their vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience—vows which they first professed 70 or 50 years ago. Following the liturgy both jubilarians and their guests gathered for a luncheon at Our Lady of Angels Convent.
In her Jubilee reflection, Sister Theresa Firenze, congregational minister, thanked the jubilarians and said, “Today as we celebrate the Feast of the Trinity, we reflect upon the unique relationship God established with the people of Israel and upon God’s desire to cultivate a relationship with each one of us. We celebrate the faithfulness of our God made visible in the lives of our jubilarians.”
Collectively the nine jubilarians represent 610 years of service in 15 dioceses throughout the United States.
Diamond Jubilarians (70 Years)
Sister Marietta Culhane, OSF, a native of Chicago, Illinois, graduate of Providence High School, and member of St. Peter Canisius Parish, entered the community in 1951 and professed her first vows in 1953. With a Ph.D. in Philosophy, MA of English, and BA in secondary education, Sister Marietta served primarily in education and pastoral ministry and has ministered in the dioceses of Baltimore, Wilmington, and Philadelphia. Currently Sister Marietta serves as a volunteer at Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, Pennsylvania.
Sister Marie Patrice Feeney, OSF, was born in Sligo, Ireland, where she was a member of St. Joseph Parish. She entered the congregation in 1949 and professed her first vows in 1953. After earning a BS in English and MA in elementary education, she served in education, pastoral work, and social services in the Philadelphia, Allentown, Metuchen, and Trenton dioceses. Currently she serves as a volunteer at Assisi House.
Sister Eileen Hennessy, OSF, (formerly Sister Felicine Marie) was born in Kilkenny, Ireland where she attended St. Lactain Parish. She entered the congregation in 1951 and professed her first vows in 1953. She earned a BS in business management and certification as a radiology technician from St. Francis Hospital. She ministered primarily in radiology in the Trenton, Baker, Baltimore, Wilmington, and Allentown dioceses and currently serves in the health office at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston, Pennsylvania.
Sister Leonora Juliani, OSF, (formerly Sister Marie Rita) a native of Philadelphia who attended St. Mary the Eternal Parish and graduated from Hallahan High School, entered the congregation in 1950 and professed her first vows in 1953. After earning her BA in education, she went on to teach in Baltimore, Washington, DC, Wilmington, and Philadelphia. Currently she ministers in prayer and hospitality at Assisi House.
Sister Ann McFadden, OSF, (formerly Sister Thomas Mary) was born in Wilmington, Delaware, where she was a member of St. Thomas Parish and a graduate of St. Peter High School. She entered the congregation in 1950 and professed her first vows in 1953. After earning a BS in education and MA in science she ministered primarily in education and parish ministry/counselling. Sister Ann ministered in the dioceses of Wilmington, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia. Currently she serves in prayer and hospitality ministry at Assisi House.
Sister Marie Michelle Michel, OSF, a native of Baltimore attended St. Paul Parish and is a graduate of The Catholic High School of Baltimore. She entered the congregation in 1950 and professed her first vows in 1953. She ministered primarily in education and office work in the dioceses of Washington, DC, Oklahoma City, Wilmington, Allentown, and Baltimore. Currently, she ministers in prayer and hospitality at Assisi House.
Sister Nuala Kathleen Swan, OSF, (formerly Sister Fintan), was born in Kilmessan, Co. Meath, Ireland. She entered the congregation in 1950 and professed her first vows in 1953. After earning her BS in education and MA in religious studies, she ministered in education and parish ministry in the dioceses of Orlando, Charleston, Antigua, Wilmington, Baltimore, Raleigh, Miami, and Philadelphia. Currently she serves as a volunteer at Assisi House, as well as at Anna’s Place in Chester.
Sister Mary Agnes Walsh, OSF, (formerly Sister Philomene) was born in New York but grew up in Ireland. She entered the congregation in 1948 and professed her first vows in 1953. After earning a BA in education and MA in pastoral counseling she went on to minister in the dioceses of Charleston, Allentown, Trenton, Boston, Metuchen, and Philadelphia. She currently serves as an associate with the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston, Pennsylvania.
Golden Jubilarian (50 Years)
Sister Mary Dawson Smith, OSF, a Baltimore Native, attended Immaculate Conception Parish and graduated from Towson Catholic High School. She entered the community in 1970 and professed her first vows in 1973. After earning a BS in history and MSW in mental health she has served in the dioceses of Baltimore and Philadelphia. Currently she serves as the school counselor at St. Ann School in the Diocese of Wilmington.