Sisters celebrate jubilees

First Profession of Vows: Aug. 14, 1997

Final Profession of Vows: July 19, 2003

Assignments: Fairfax and Portland, Ore.

Current Assignment: Fairfax

What drew you to the religious life? I had a desire to be a religious since I was youth. When I was in Vietnam, I had opportunities to come in and out of the local convent for youth choir retreat and Marian dancing practices. The nuns were very kind to us. Their kindness, loving heart, smiles and holy appearance triggered my young heart and curious mind. I once wished to be like them, and so I am one of them now. 

What are your hobbies, or favorite family or cultural tradition? I like all kinds of sports. I played soccer when I was in school in Vietnam. My other hobbies are playing musical instruments and fishing. My family likes to watch football and we like to watch a game together and analyze (or comment on) the play.  I like Tet, or Vietnamese New Year, and its traditions such as the decorations, the fireworks, the lucky money and eating sticky rice.

Would you like to share one of your fondest memories of your time as a religious sister so far?

I worked at the Intercultural Psychiatrist Program at Oregon Health and Science University in Oregon. One day, I came home exhausted and was not able to attend the evening prayer with my sisters in the community. I was resting in my room and hearing my sisters chanting the prayers. My room was not far from the chapel. My eyes streamed with tears but my heart was grateful. At that time, I realized the benefit of living in a community life is holy, blessed and reassuring. That recognition had comforted me so much, especially when I was physically incapable. 

50 years

Sr. Lisbeth Cruz

Benedictine Sisters of Virginia

Born: Nov. 3, 1950, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

First Profession of Vows: June 23, 1972

Perpetual Profession of Vows: Aug. 7, 1977

Assignments: Prefect, teacher and business manager, Linton Hall School in Bristow; councilor, Benedictine Sisters

Current Assignment: business assistant, councilor

What drew you to religious life? One of the things that drew me to religious life was the example of the Benedictine Sisters in Puerto Rico. I loved the way they lived in community and their faithfulness to common prayer. They really cared about us in high school.

What are your hobbies, or favorite family or cultural tradition? Among the things that I like to do are listening to music and looking out my bedroom window and enjoying nature. I also write to several friends on a weekly basis — not by email, but using the postal service. Somehow my cards and notes seem to brighten many lives, and that delights me.

Would you like to share one of your fondest memories of your time as a religious sister so far? One tradition I love and fondly remember that we have in Puerto Rico is celebrating “Three Kings” Jan. 6. The custom is to get grass and put it in a shoebox under your bed. The grass is for the camels to eat, and the box is where presents are left. Some time ago, I was sharing that tradition with four other sisters with whom I live. I thought nothing of it until I went to my room that evening. I found four boxes with grass by my room door. I was totally amazed and surprised. I then looked around for something to put in each box as a gift. I will forever treasure that memory and the loving example of community care.

60 years

Sr. Patricia Anne Driscoll    

Benedictine Sisters of Virginia

Born: Jan. 26, 1943, Meadville, Pa.

First Profession of Vows: March 23, 1962

Perpetual Profession of Vows: March 18, 1967

Assignments: teacher in Florida and Virginia at all levels from Montessori early childhood through university; campus minister, Saint Leo University and Central Florida University; school counselor, diocesan schools; councilor, Benedictine.

Current Assignment: monastery service

What drew you to religious life? My mother was mainly responsible for building a foundation of faith in my family of seven children. With this groundwork laid, the Benedictine Sisters who taught at the elementary school I attended, St. Martha’s School in Sarasota, Fla., formed my first interest in religious life. This initial appeal further progressed when I had the opportunity to attend Holy Name Academy, a boarding high school for girls, in Saint Leo, Fla. The shared joy and care of these Benedictine Sisters along with the quality of their instruction were noteworthy as well as the love of God they shared so abundantly with all.

What are your hobbies, or favorite family or cultural tradition? A love of learning, again first nourished at home and then bolstered by the strength of the Benedictine tradition of scholarship, resulted in a wonderful camaraderie with books of all genres. My love of reading continues to enrich so many aspects of my life as a religious. Often, the ideas generated by reading results in poetry, art and written reflections as a response.

Would you like to share one of your fondest memories of your time as a religious sister so far? In these aging years, fond memories continue to be generated as the shared life experiences of former students point to the values and faith they hold and treasure. So many good and faithful younger persons carry on the traditions of our faith and the Benedictine values instilled by their quality education. The most penetrating memories, however, would have to be the individual women who have journeyed in community with me for these 60 years. Their love, care, patience, understanding, and joy capture the Gospel message we live day by day and continue to nurture that first faint call to religious life.

75 years

Sr. Andrea Verchuck   

Benedictine Sisters of Virginia

Born: May 26, 1929, Crabtree, Pa.

First Profession of Vows: March 19, 1947  

Perpetual Profession of Vows: May 27, 1950

Assignments: teacher and principal, Catholic schools in both the Arlington and Richmond dioceses; prioress, subprioress and councilor, Benedictine Sisters.

Current Assignment: monastery service

What drew you to the religious life? I was first drawn to religious life because my mother had the greatest respect for priests and sisters and spoke highly of them. My mother’s life of prayer also influenced me. As she carried out household chores, especially in kneading and baking bread, she softly sang the Little Hours of the Blessed Virgin from memory. I thought of how neat it was that a person could sing her prayers. Little did I know then, that for more than 75 years, I would be reciting or singing the Liturgy of the Hours as a Benedictine sister. I knew very little about the life of a religious, not ever having gone to a Catholic school, but I did know that sisters lived a life of prayer. And the few sisters whom I did meet seemed so kind, gentle and caring.

What are your hobbies, or favorite family or cultural tradition? My favorite hobbies are reading, assembling jigsaw puzzles and sewing. I try to be helpful to the sisters here by mending or making minor alterations to their clothing.

Would you like to share one of your fondest memories of your time as a religious sister so far? One of my fondest and proudest memories goes back to the year 1980 when Benedictines all over the world celebrated the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of our order’s founder, St. Benedict. The four Benedictine monasteries in the DMV collaborated in holding a regional celebration in Washington.  We invited Benedictine Cardinal Basil Hume, writer, abbot and archbishop of Westminster in England, to be celebrant of the Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Cardinal Hume was a devout celebrant and excellent homilist. In our informal luncheon setting at St. Anselm Benedictine Abbey, we were touched by the cardinal’s humble, Christlike outreach to all of us present.