Celebration
By the time Father Bernie Etienne, pastor of Evansville’s Holy Rosary Parish, said the final prayer and blessed everyone on their way during the Aug. 16 anticipatory Mass for the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time – which also served as the prayerful celebration of Sister of Providence Mary Mundy’s 50th Anniversary as a religious – the Facebook page for this newspaper was blowing up with likes and comments.
Hundreds of people viewed and “liked” the photo from the Mass on the page, and several commented. “Beautiful celebration for a great woman of faith,” one commenter said. “Congratulations, Sister Mary. You are an inspiration!” added another.
“Your witness of faith … your willingness to surrender your life to serve the Lord and God’s people … have touched the lives of so many,” Father Bernie said during his homily. “You – and we – were blessed that this 50-year period since your profession is also arguably the most significant in the life of the Church for the role of women to exercise leadership.”
He talked about a variety of leadership roles Sister Mary has handled admirably, especially noting her term as Director of Formation for the Sisters of Providence. He lauded her efforts “to impart to (the young women coming into the community) the charism and wisdom of your community, as well as to help them to discern God’s call in their lives.”
He also highlighted her years of service as a pastoral associate in a number of parishes in our diocese. “On behalf of all of them,” he said, “I want to thank you for your witness of faith.”
After Mass, more than 300 continued the celebration with dinner and a tribute to Sister Mary. WFIE 14 News’ Mike Blake emceed the celebration, which included comments the current Director of Formation for the Sisters of Providence, who was a novice when Sister Mary served in that role; retired Fathers Bill Wargel and Steve Lintzenich, who worked with Sister Mary as she served as a pastoral associate; and Father Bernie, who also read comments from a letter of gratitude and congratulations from Bishop Charles C. Thompson.
