Six jubilarians were honored at a special celebration

Father James Stembler, Vicar General of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, congratulates Sister Agnes Marie Tengler at the IWBS Anniversary of Religious Profession. Sister Agnes is celebrating her 75th year as a sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. 

See more photos below.

A corsage of white roses was pinned to each of the red jackets worn by the six Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, celebrating anniversaries of religious profession this year. The IWBS Sisters who were honored were Sister Agnes Marie Tengler celebrating 75 years, Sister Catherine Brehony celebrating 70 years, Sister Mary Paul Hon celebrating 60 years, Sister Jude Janecek celebrating 60 years, Sister Maria Irma Gonzalez celebrating 50 years and Sister Anna Marie Espinosa celebrating 50 years.
 
Other religious sisters, friends and families of the jubilarians gathered for the morning celebration in St. Patrick Church on Oct. 19. Bishop Michael Mulvey presided over Mass, gave the homily and concelebrated Mass with several diocesan priests attending the event.
 
“Your call is a mysterious call,” Bishop Mulvey told the sisters during his homily. Each one of us in our baptism is already called, but when you entered into the convent of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament and sealed that call with vows, you said, ‘I am ready to give my life to something greater.’ You do that by poverty, chastity and obedience.
 
Bishop Mulvey urged the sisters to go back to the beginning – “the first moment when you felt God calling you; the first inkling, which you may have already put aside. Remember those moments and seize them. Thank God for those, because it’s on that good that the Lord has continued to build on, day after day, year after year your life,” he said. Thank you for your yes. Thank you for the ministry you have given to the Church.”
 
After Mass the celebration continued at the Incarnate Word Academy, Dougherty Center with food and fellowship.

View the complete photo album or download photos here.

View Sister Agnes Marie Tenger's story here.

View Sister Catherine Brehony's story here.

View Sister Jude Janacek's story here.

View Sister Mary Paul Hon's story here.

View Sister Maria Irma Gonzales' story here.

View Sister Anna Marie Espinoza's story here.