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Xavier’s BVM sisters celebrate 175th anniversary of order
By Rebecca Bostic, rbostic@catholicsun.org
November 20, 2008
The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated the end of their 175th year anniversary Nov. 1 with a Mass and reception with the community they serve.
Sr. Joanie Nuckols, BVM, a teacher and administrator at Xavier College Preparatory since the 1980s, enjoyed the opportunity to honor the history of her order.
“Part of it is to acknowledge all of those people who have served in the past as well as the fact that this is continuing on,” Sr. Joanie said. The celebration honored the founders’ values, which “permeate everything that we do.”
Bishop Thomas J. O’Brien concelebrated the Mass with Jesuit Fathers Kevin Dilworth, John Auther, John Martin, Anton Renna and Harry Olivier. The sisters renewed their vows during the liturgy.
Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary composed many of the songs, sung during the Mass by the Xavier choir. The choir had recorded a collection of songs — “Moving Toward the Light” — written and composed by sisters in the order to commemorate the 175th anniversary.
Christine Weglarz, who has worked with the sisters at Xavier for almost 20 years, attended the Mass to honor her colleagues and to celebrate the gift of the order.
“I just think the service they have provided the community, the dedication and the sacrifice is so impressive,” Weglarz said. “They do everything cheerfully and with positive attitudes. They sincerely believe that something will always turn out the right way, that God will provide and it’s such a beautiful message for the rest of us.”
The order began its ministry educating Irish immigrants in Philadelphia in 1833. From there they moved to the Midwest and beyond. They focused particularly on women because they believed that as these women became mothers, they would pass their knowledge on to their children.
Sr. Joanie believes the order’s willingness to travel across the country, following the railroad tracks from Philadelphia to San Francisco by 1898, is what makes them different.
“The sisters were pioneers, they were willing to serve anyone — the poor, the rich,” she said. “They felt very strongly that children need to learn, especially young women, in order to help their families.”
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