Two religious sisters serving in the Arlington diocese were honored for a combined 115 years of religious life at a special Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Feb. 21.
Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist Mary Timothy Prokes, with residence at St. Philip Church in Falls Church, celebrates 75 years of religious life, and Franciscan Sister of the Immaculate Conception Elizabeth Ann McGuire, who teaches at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, celebrates 40 years.
During the Mass, Sister McGuire renewed her vows before Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. Sister Prokes could not attend.
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge thanked the sisters for their daily “yes” to serving Christ and his church, noting that the Lenten season gives a deeper significance to the day’s celebration.
“That ‘yes’ has required fervent prayer, which the Lenten season invites us to embrace anew. Dear sisters, through a life devoted to prayer, especially before the Blessed Sacrament, you have reminded us that we can never rely on our own powers and resources,” he said.
He added that by living out their vows daily, the two sisters provide all with a holy example during Lent. “In living with integrity your vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, you reveal the reason for our fasting during this Lenten season: Being reminded that a life focused on the accumulation of worldly and earthly possessions, honors, and rewards can never bring us the happiness we are seeking. Thank you, jubilarians, for reflecting the joy that is ours in a loving and intimate relationship with the Lord lived with simplicity, purity and faithfulness,” he said.
75 years
Sr. Mary Timothy Prokes, FSE
Religious Order: Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist
Date of Birth: June 5, 1931
Place of Birth: Jackson, Minn.
Parents: Wenceslaus and Ludmila Dostal Prokes
Siblings: Jesuit Father Francis Prokes; Adelain Prokes (consecrated virgin); Sister Dorothy Prokes, FSE; Sister Stephen Prokes, OSB; and Helen Prokes.
High School: Our Lady of Good Counsel Academy in Mankato, Minn., 1944-48
Higher Education: Bachelor’s in journalism, graduated in 1962; master’s in theology, Marquette University, 1967; doctorate in theology, University of St. Michael’s, Toronto, Canada, 1976
Professions of vows: First profession in 1951 with School Sisters of Notre Dame; final profession in 1957; transferred into the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, 1993.
Assignments: Faculty member, the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Baltimore, 1976
Published “Women’s Challenge: Ministry in the Flesh,” 1977
Visiting scholar, Lonergan College, Montreal, Quebec, 1983-84
Religious Studies faculty, St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, 1984
Started Ain Karim Center in Saskatoon, 1984-93
Research and writing on Theology of the Body, 1993
Published “Mutuality: The Human Image of Trinitarian Love,” 1994
Teaching in Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., Permanent Diaconate Program, 1994
Professor of spirituality and theology at the Notre Dame Graduate School, Alexandria, 1995
Published “Towards a Theology of the Body,” 1996
Various workshops and presentations on Theology of the Body, 1996-2010
Published “At the Interface: Theology and Virtual Reality,” 2004
Professor at American College of Leuven and Director of Sabbatical Programs Leuven, Belgium, 2010
Missioned to St. Augustine Catholic Center at University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, 2014
Published “Still and Still Moving, Restlessness: Gift and Challenge,” 2016
Board member, The Institute for Priests and Presbyterates, a program of Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, St. Meinrad, Ind., winter 2017
What drew you to the religious life?
My family members who entered religious life modeled for me a most fulfilling life to follow Christ.
What is a favorite family tradition?
My family’s Christmas Eve foods and traditions are a favorite memory. Also, my family was consecrated to the Sacred Heart and on every feast of the Sacred Heart we would have a very special meal, and my mother would turn over the dinner plates and under each one would be a small gift for each of us.
40 years
Sr. Elizabeth Ann McGuire, OSF
Religious Order: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception
Date of Birth: April 18, 1955
Place of Birth: Altoona, Pa.
Parents: Gerald R. McGuire and Margie E. (Hicks) McGuire
Siblings: Dennis, Patrick (deceased), Regina (deceased), Joyce (deceased), Michael, and Marie.
High School: Altoona Area High School, 1970-73
Higher Education: Pennsylvania State University, bachelor’s in secondary education with a mathematics option, 1973-77; master’s in education, curriculum and instruction, 1979-82; and Duquesne University, worked on a master’s in administration, 1994-95.
Professions of vows: first profession, Jan. 25, 1986; final profession, Dec. 8, 1990
Assignments:
Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Pa.:
Hollidaysburg Catholic School, middle school math, 1978-91
Sacred Heart School, seventh and eighth grade teacher, 1991-92
Saint Joseph Catholic School, principal, 1992-94
Bishop Guilfoyle High School, religion teacher, grades 9, 10, and 12, 1995–97
Altoona Central Catholic School (Our Lady of Mount Carmel), principal, 1997-99
Altoona Central Catholic Middle School, eighth grade teacher, 1999-2000
In the Arlington diocese:
St. Rita School, teacher, seventh/eighth math and science, eighth grade religion, 2000-05,
St. Ann School, principal, 2005-09
St. Mary’s School, 2010-11
St. Rita School, assistant director, Extended Day Program, 2012-13
Bishop Ireton High School, on-call substitute, 2012-13
Current assignment: Bishop Ireton, 2013-present
What drew you to the religious life?
While teaching at Hollidaysburg Catholic School in Pennsylvania, there was a change of religious community running the school. The community taking over the leadership of the school was an international congregation from Scotland, the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. In working closely with the new principal, I was drawn toward developing a deeper spirituality. I kept hearing a voice that said, “I want more from you.” The rest is now history and the voice continues.
What are your hobbies, or favorite family or cultural tradition?
I enjoy cooking, baking, working jigsaw puzzles, doing other paper and pencil puzzles, and taking care of my patio and house plants.
What is one of your fondest memories of your time as a religious sister so far?
My fondest memory is that of becoming my mother’s Godmother shortly before her death. My second is my father’s joy at my final profession.
