Gathering Day and Renewal of Vows
On Saturday, August 6, sisters, companions, former members, and staff took part in the congregation's annual Gathering Day. The day began at 10 A.M. in the Mirenda Center of Neumann University with Sr. Maria Anna (Peaches) Dela Paz’s vow renewal, when she dedicated herself for another year to the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience according to the Rule and Life of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis and the Constitutions of the Sisters of of Philadelphia. Composer and theologian Rev. Ricky Manalo, CSP, was the presenter for the day. The morning session was titled “The Many Faces of Christ: Interculturality in Our Church Today.” The afternoon session, which included a sing-along, was titled “Tune, Text, and Theology: Singing Our Praises to God.”
During the 4 P.M. Mass in the OLA Chapel, Sr. Kathryn Ann Dutrow professed her final vows, taking the same vows as Peaches but binding herself in fidelity and love, closer to Christ and to the church for all the days of her life. What a joyous day it was as we celebrated these two sisters and enjoyed a wonderful presentation and the joyful singing of Fr. Ricky.
Keep an eye out for the fall/winter edition of Good News to learn more about these two sisters' vocation story and what made them want to become Sisters of St. Francis.
