Sister Celebrates 25th Jubilee

Congratulations to Sr. Mary Stanco on the occasion of her 25th Jubilee! She was honored at a celebration on Sunday, July 16 in Magnificat Chapel with a reception following the liturgy.

Sr. Mary reflected on what this milestone means to her in the most recent issue of the HM Voice. That reflection is provided here:

“When I started my novitiate 25 years ago, my life became a part of 150 years plus of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary who have responded to the needs of the times with faith, hope and love with the people of God.

Each day I pray these words ‘…God is faithful, hope is a way of life and love brings about peace and justice.’ The words from the HM Constitution are a response to remain faithful to the abiding presence of God in the world, to live out of hope through my prayer life and be able to seek with others in community and ministry a common ground of love and forgiveness.

It has been more than 25 years of listening as I ministered to many stories of joy and pain. It is in many encounters with others and in relationship to my family that I have come to understand what it is to respond to the gospel.

I have been grateful as in the words from Dag Hammarskjold’s Markings, ‘To remain a recipient out of humility. And preserve your flexibility. To remain a recipient and be grateful. Grateful for being allowed to listen, to observe, to understand.’

As the community celebrates with me 25 years we will proclaim ‘…my soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God My Savior. For God has done good things for me and holy is God’s name.’ This is proclaimed as Mary greets Elizabeth. A relationship of two women of different generations, sharing their faith in God, entrust in giving and receiving, a love that speaks of God’s love for each of us.

I have been incredibly blessed to be able to be part of this intergenerational experience as an HM as well as part of sisters from many different communities through Giving Voice and the Leadership Collaborative as we journey together to unfold all that God has called us to in this day and age.”