Three religious sisters serving in the diocese told the Catholic Herald that they will celebrate jubilees this year.
They will join Bishop Michael F. Burbidge for a Mass to celebrate their jubilees May 4 at St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax.
75 years
Sr. Mary Ellen Black
Age: 96
Hometown: Richmond
Religious Order: Benedictine Sisters of Virginia
Current assignment: retired
Education: St. Gertrude High School, Richmond; St. Joseph College, Emmitsburg, Md., 1954-55, BA English; The Catholic University of America, Washington, 1961-63, master’s in theological studies; Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, 1979, master’s in education; Loyola University Chicago, 1986-87, master’s in pastoral studies.
Profession of vows: first profession 1949, final profession 1952
Assignments: teacher at St. Charles School, Arlington, 1949-52; St. Gertrude High School, School of Music, Richmond, 1952-54; St. Paul School, Richmond, 1955-56; St. Gertrude, 1956-61; Linton Hall Military School, Bristow, 1961-63; St. Benedict Monastery, 1962-67; St. Paul, 1967-68; and Sacred Heart School, Richmond, 1968-73; principal, Linton Hall, 1973-79, and St. Gertrude, 1979-85; and various roles at St. Benedict Monastery and Sacred Heart 1987-2008.
What drew you to the religious life?
My relationship with the Benedictine Sisters.
What are your hobbies, or favorite family or cultural tradition?
Music, sports, gardening, art
Would you like to share one of your fondest memories of your time as a religious sister so far?
Times spent with my sisters doing recreation together: talking, laughing and sharing stories.
25 years
Sr. Lucia Treanor
Religious Order: Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist
Current assignment: instructor, English department, The Catholic University of America, Washington, 2021-present
Birthplace: Providence, R.I.
Education: Classical High School, Providence, R.I., 1956-60; Manhattanville College, Purchase, N.Y., BA English, 1960-64; Columbia University, New York City, MA English and comparative literature, 1985-87; Graduate Center of the City University of New York, master’s in philosophy and doctorate in comparative literature, 1989-2000.
Profession of vows: first profession 1999, final profession 2005
Assignments: affiliate professor of writing, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Mich., 2002-19; visiting professor of English, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Eldoret, Kenya, 2019-20.
What drew you to the religious life?
The desire to serve Our Lord every day.
She wrote “Elwood: The Story of a Catholic World War II Hero” and is working on a book about Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales.”
Sr. Theresa Hkawn Htoi Kareng
Age: 50
Religious Order: Sisters of Our Lady of La Salette
Birthplace: Myitkyina, Myanmar (Burma)
Current assignment: community superior of Virginia and administrative assistant of religious education, St. Mary of Sorrows.
Education: No. 3 Basic Education High School, Myitkyina, Kachin State, Myanmar, 1985-93; St. Paul University Quezon City, Philippines, 2000-04, BA religious education.
Profession of vows: First profession May 13, 1999; final profession Nov. 22, 2005
Assignments: religious community integration, Santiago City, Isabela, Philippines, 1999-2000; regional house, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines, student and community treasurer, 2000-04; Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, France, volunteer and community integration, January-June 2005; directress of novices and regional superior, Myitkyina, Kachin State, Myanmar, 2005-10; assistant directress of novices, Fairfax, 2011; St. Timothy Catholic School, Chantilly, preschool assistant teacher, 2011-15, community treasurer 2012-15; National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Attleboro, Mass., 2015-19; St. Michael Catholic School, Annandale, teacher assistant, 2019-20; St. Mary of Sorrows, Fairfax, preschool assistant teacher, 2020-23.
What drew you to the religious life?
What really drew me to the religious life was mainly my strong desire of humble service for the church and particularly to the needy. My earnest aspiration to go to the mission wherever God sends me and my readiness to do his will have made me who I am today.
What are your hobbies, or favorite family or cultural tradition?
My hobbies used to be sewing until I entered the convent, and I made my dresses by myself. However, as a religious sister I did not have much time to do as much as I did in the past, except for some veils and blouses.
My favorite family or cultural tradition I like most is that we family members, relatives and friends often get together for prayer meetings, including having meal together.
Would you like to share one of your fondest memories of your time as a religious sister so far?
As a religious sister, I was once asked by a preschool girl by pointing at her finger to the painting picture of Mother Mary on the wall, “Is that you?”
