Priests, deacons, sisters, brothers celebrate jubilees

Photos by Christine Bordelon | CLARION HERALD

The annual jubilee celebration of priests, deacons, sisters and brothers was held April 22 on “Good Shepherd” Sunday at St. Rita Church in New Orleans.

     

Religious were celebrating 25, 40, 50, 60 and even 75 years of religious life. Teresian Sister Dolores Rodriguez, a native of Madrid, joined the Teresians 75 years ago at age 16.

Dominican Sister of Peace Suzanne Brauer, a golden jubilarian, urged her fellow religious to “keep the fire burning. … The context may be different, but the call is the same. Do you love God enough to give your whole life unreservedly?… We said ‘yes,’ and we are celebrating that yes today.”

Father Lance Campo, left, observing 25 years as a priest, called the jubilarians the “good shepherds” who continue to be faithful instruments of Jesus, who is truly the good shepherd. He said they may never know how important their presence, concern and compassion are to those entrusted to their care.