Sisters of Charity close jubilee with eyes to future
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LEAVENWORTH — For the “grand finale” of the 150th jubilee celebration of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Nov. 14, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann took the opportunity to tip his miter to a grand old man who knew a little something about the Sisters.
At the dinner following the closing Mass at the motherhouse, the archbishop raised his glass and repeated words first uttered by Bishop John Baptist Miege more than 100 years ago.
“When I received them, I did one of the very few good things I ever did for Kansas,” he quoted.
The toast capped off a year of observances that included celebrations from Leavenworth to Peru. The big events in Leavenworth included a community pancake breakfast on Founder’s Day, Nov. 11, 2007; the grand reunion for current and former Sisters and associates on July 4; and the closing Mass and dinner.
In commemoration of the year, Sister Marie Brinkman wrote a history of the order, entitled, “Emerging Frontiers: Renewal in the Life of Women Religious: Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth 1955-2005,” which filled in the gaps left by earlier accounts.
Lest anyone think the Sisters are now resting on their 150 years of laurels, they chose as the theme: “From Founding to Future: In Gratitude and Joy.”
