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Benedictine Duo celebrate 60th jubilees

Benedictine Duo celebrate 60th jubilees - (18-08-2016)

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Photo: Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Joan Thérèse Anderson (left) and Susan Huppe were honored for their 60th jubilees of monastic profession on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at their community in Tucson, Arizona.

Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Joan Thérèse Anderson and Susan Huppe were honored for their 60th jubilees of monastic profession on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at their community in Tucson, Arizona.

Father Chris Corbally, SJ was the presider at the Eucharist and recognized the dedication shown by the jubilarians over the past 60 years. The day also included a reception and a festive meal.

About the Sisters

When she was 14 years old Sister Susan said, “The Lord zapped me!” In that instant she knew that her dream of getting married and having 12 children was no longer her destiny. “God leads us in ways we least expect,” she said.

So at the tender age of 15 she left school at Ursuline Academy and her family in Kansas City, Missouri, to become a member of the Benedictine Sisters.

“I was so young when I entered, but in my heart of hearts I knew that Christ was calling me to give myself completely to Him in the religious way of life,” she said. “I longed to answer His loving invitation. I grew up with older women who were like mothers and big sisters to me. They were good friends who loved me and helped me grow.”

New York native Sister Joan Thérèse followed a different path to religious life, which involved a career in nursing and as an educator and counselor before joining the Benedictine Sisters.

“I felt the call in high school, but it scared me to death so I ignored it,” she said. “But it hit me even harder while in nursing school, and I knew I couldn’t run away from it any longer.” 

She spent 25 wonderful years with the Sisters of Mercy before transferring to the Benedictine congregation to pursue a more contemplative life.

“I realized I was a real workaholic, and I wanted to be more contemplative,” Sister Joan Thérèse said. “So I transferred to the Benedictines and found an intense prayer life and a strong sense of community.”

Sister Joan Thérèse earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degrees in maternal health nursing and community mental health nursing. She is a past member of the board of directors of the New York State Nurses Association.