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Sisters celebrate decades of commitment
By Claudia I. Provencio, The Catholic Sun
October 19, 2006
Four Loreto Sisters celebrated decades of service to God and to Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral surrounded by former students and a community that has benefited from their Irish wisdom and wit in and out of the classroom.
Sisters Teresita Ryan, Consiglio Scanlan, Concepta Murtaugh and Dympna Doran were honored for 50-70 years of religious life during an Oct. 8 Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted.
“This celebration reminds us of fidelity,” the bishop said. “They made their religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience years ago in Ireland, never knowing that obedience would bring them to Arizona. They did not come as tourists, but as servants of God.”
The Loreto Sisters, who have been a staple at Ss. Simon and Jude for 52 years, came to Arizona before the cathedral was even built and left behind “what the Irish call a heatwave of 70-75 degrees,” said Sr. Teresita.
While a lot has changed in the past five decades, the sisters continue to receive the love and support of their community as evidenced by the congregation’s lengthy applause.
“They are the main reason so many of the school’s alumni work at the school and send their children to the school,” said Diane Stein, office manager at Ss. Simon and Jude school.
“The school has several families that have the third generation of students now enrolled. It is a testimony to the vision, leadership and love these women have shared with our community.”
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