The Diocese of Orange celebrated World Day for Consecrated Life on Feb. 6 at St. John the Baptist Church in Costa Mesa. According to the USCCB website: “In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.”
Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen was the principal celebrant at the Diocese of Orange Mass for Consecrated Life. He said in his homily: “Consecrated Life is rooted in the Baptism that we all received but beyond. It is a life totally offered to God in response to His call of love by the profession of the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience recognized by the Church. The work of the Spirit in various forms of the consecrated life is gift to the Church.”
The following jubilarians were honored at the Mass for Consecrated Life:
Miss Anna Le, F.S.P. is a consecrated member of the Secular Institute of Fraternity Jesus Caritas. She entered in the Fraternity Jesus Caritas because she desires to live a consecrated and contemplative life in the midst of the world, according to the spirituality of Blessed Charles de Foucauld. She made her first vows 40 years ago on Aug. 15, 1981 while she was still in Vietnam. She worked as a teacher in high school in Vietnam and when she migrated to the United States she continued to teach in Orange County, California. Now she is retired and lives in Tustin. She participates in some activities in the nearby parishes. Anna is very grateful to God for leading her to follow Him in this vocation.
Sr. Laure Atieh, M.S.S.H. is a religious sister of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family and is celebrating 50 years of religious profession. She was born in Lebanon and joined her religious order when she was 15 years old. She served in Lebanon and then worked in Australia for 35 years. Four years ago, she was sent to the Diocese of Orange to assist the local Maronite parish with various ministries such as spiritual counseling and caring for those in need, including the elderly and homebound. She currently helps organize live-stream devotions and services and loves to sing!
Sister Kathleen Maloney, CSJ served in several ministries throughout her religious life. Like many sisters, she started in the classroom serving as a teacher in her first decade, followed by serving as principal of All Hallows School in San Francisco for five years. In 1979, she traveled to Papua New Guinea to serve the people as an educator and nurse assistant for six years. An elected term as a Councilor in congregational leadership followed. Sister Kathleen later served Mercy Housing, St. Joseph Health and Taller San Jose in several needed roles including affordable housing developer, sponsorship, senior accountant and General Secretary and Assistant Treasurer. Sr. Kathleen is celebrating 60 years of religious profession.
Sister Louise Ann Micek, CSJ began teaching in the late ’60s at St. George School in Ontario and Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Habra. After a few years, she headed to the Papua New Guinea for the congregational ministry to the people there. She continued her teaching ministry and was a member of a parish team. Apart from some home visits and a year and a half as a substitute teacher, Sister Louise Ann was in the South Pacific for two decades. When she returned, Sister Louise Ann dove into detention ministry and served as the General Secretary of the congregation. In 1996, she became director of Bethany, which helped women in transition to self-sufficiency, a role she remained in for 18 years. Sister Louise Ann now serves as a program assistant at the St. Joseph Justice Center. Sr. Louise Ann is celebrating 60 years of religious profession.
Sister Mary Rogers, CSJ is a life-long educator. She served as a teacher at schools throughout the state, including a three-year ministry as principal of All Hallows School in San Francisco. By 1995, she joined the team at Taller San Jose Hope Builders. She has served there in roles including teaching, administration, and pastoral care. In the middle of her service at Taller San Jose, Sister Mary served as a Councilor in congregational leadership from 2006 to 2011. Sr. Mary is celebrating 60 years of religious profession.
Sister Theresa LaMetterey, CSJ – One cannot think of Sister Theresa LaMetterey and not think of music. This is thanks to her music and liturgy ministry, roles that she has fulfilled at parishes and for the congregation, often at the same time, since 1988. Prior to her music ministry, Sister Theresa served as a teacher for parish schools in California, including St. Juliana’s in Fullerton. She also taught high school science through twelve years of service in Papua New Guinea. More recently, Sister Theresa has served two terms as a Councilor in congregational leadership. Sr. Theresa is celebrating 60 years of religious profession.
Sister Maria Goretti DeCoite, CSJ began teaching in 1952, serving parish schools throughout California and the Hawaiian Islands. St. Joachim School in Costa Mesa, Sr. Mary’s School in Fullerton and Holy Family Cathedral School in Orange were among the places she served in a 32-year teaching ministry. In the mid-1980s, she pivoted to serve in healthcare ministry. She served in pastoral care, as a chaplain, and as a sponsorship and mission integration representative at five different hospitals in California, including St. Joseph Hospital in Orange and St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. Since 2016, she has been a patient visitor at St. Joseph Hospital. Sr. Maria Goretti is celebrating 70 years of religious profession.
Sister Margaret Ann Chincholle, CSJ has enjoyed a long teaching ministry. A God-given love for educating children made a 52-year ministry in the classroom possible. After retiring, Sister Margaret Ann continued to tutor children for an additional three years. Since 2007, she has faithfully served the CSJ Educational Network as a volunteer. Sr. Margaret Ann is celebrating 75 years of religious profession.