Sister Philomena Anne Professes First Vows

Sister Philomena Anne of Divine Mercy, O.Carm.

On June 9, 2018, the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm witnessed Sister Philomena Anne’s profession of First Vows of Obedience, Poverty and Chastity in the Order of Carmel.  It was held at Saint Teresa’s Motherhouse in Germantown, New York.  Very Rev. Michael Kissane, O.Carm. was the principal celebrant and Very Rev. Mario Esposito, O.Carm. was Master of Ceremony.  Concelebrating at Mass were other Carmelite Friars- Rev. James Hess, O.Carm., Rev. Justin Cinnante, O.Carm., and Rev. Nicholas Blackwell, O.Carm.  Sister Philomena’s family from Lynchburg, Virginia and West Milford, New Jersey came to attend.  Sister Philomena Anne will leave for Garvey Manor and Our Lady of the Alleghenies Center, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania on June 18, 2018 to begin her mission assignment.  We wish her a very happy, fulfilled and blessed life in her new home and ministry!

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God Bless Your Journey!

Sister Philomena Anne will be professing First Vows on June 9, 2018 at Saint Teresa's Motherhouse.  She will leave Avila for a week's vacation to be with her family and then on to her new mission assignment on June 18th.   Sister Helena of Mary, novice director, put together a simple prayer service and invited the Formation team, Mother Mark, Prioress General, and Sister Francis Patrick, local Prioress at the Motherhouse.  We also had two of the five young women, Emily and Sharon, who will be entering in September,  participate at the prayer service.  Of course, there was a party! The photos below show each Sister come up to Sister Philomena and presented her with an object which symbolized and captured the sentiments they each want Sister to meditate on and take with her. It was an event graced with such wisdom and insights! We have objects like a candle, a leaf, a bookmark, sea shell, poem and reflection on the vows.  Truly a rich gathering of Carmelite wisdom and community!

The Avila Sisters wish Sister Philomena much graces, love and blessings as she continues her journey in Carmel. She will be missed at Saint Teresa's Motherhouse but we know that we will see her again in September when she comes back to Avila as a temporary vow Sister!