Follow Me Celebrating jubilees with Sisters of St. Joseph By Bishop Terry R. LaValley

August 13, 2025

What a privilege it is for me today, during this Jubilee Year of Hope, to lead our Eucharistic celebration of the inspiring personal Jubilees of consecrated lifetimes of these Sisters of St. Joseph:

85 YEARS
Sister Jean Marie Chiovitti

75 YEARS
Sister Mary William Argy

70 YEARS
Sister Judith Baumert

65 YEARS
Sister Norma Bryant
Sister Bethany Fitzgerald

In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul states that “Hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Rom.5:1-2,5). In his letter announcing this Jubilee Year of Hope, Pope Francis wrote that “even despite St. Paul’s comments, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God’s Word, Jesus Christ Himself, helps us find reasons for that hope.” In FACT, HE IS THE REASON, THE SOURCE OF OUR HOPE!

It’s true, isn’t it? Even though we believe that we believe, sometimes it is so hard to trust, to let go and let God be God, particularly at times of major transition in our lives. That’s when Paul’s words to the Romans give you and me a nudge reminding us of that precious virtue of hope, founded on Jesus’ proven love.

Christian hope does not deceive or disappoint because it is grounded in the certainty that nothing and no one may ever separate us from God’s love. (Rom 8:35, 37-39)

The Lord told Jeremiah, “I know well the plans I have in mind for you.” Dear Sisters, He’s got your back. In fact, the Lord’s got the whole world in His hands and…He never, never walks out on us. Your continuing loving witness of the consecrated life is a blessing to us all. And so…as Paul wrote to the Colossians, “Let the peace of Christ control your hearts…Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” I’m convinced the Lord has found a dwelling place within each of your hearts. So, it is good to reflect on the question: Do I really understand how much I am loved by God and what that love means for me today, tomorrow and forever?

St. Augustine once wrote: “Whatever our state of life, we cannot live without three dispositions of the soul, that is, the three theological virtues: namely, to believe, to hope and to love.” God’s love is not how our love can be sometimes, you know–conditional, self-centered, exclusive, measured. Jesus’ promise to those who would be faithful is no ordinary promise to the one who seeks to live a virtuous life.

Sisters of St. Joseph, thank you for the legacy of love that you have gifted the Church of the North Country. I want to thank today’s Jubilarians in a special way as I reflect on the legacy that you have given and continue to share with us. When I think of these Jubilarians, what comes to my mind are traces of sacrificial love poured out in our: Catholic schools, music ministry, parish ministry, Formation for Ministry, Faith Formation, Social Justice ministry, to name just a few areas of impact where your faith life has made a difference and will continue to ripple into the generations to come.

You simply cannot quantify the treasure you have shared, but we can, from the bottom of our hearts say: Thank you, Sisters. Because you have been and continue to be Christ-led and Christ-fed, we are hope-filled. “Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, we seek your powerful intercession for all these faith-filled Sisters of St. Joseph. May the challenge of great transition that they are experiencing continue to inspire us all to embrace the height and depth of love that our God has for each of us, never to be abandoned but strengthened by Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN.”

Sisters of St. Joseph – rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven! For that, May God be praised…forever may God be praised!