Sister Jean Moore celebrates commitment to religious life

On Aug. 9, Sister Jean Moore celebrated the 25th anniversary of her commitment to vowed religious life. For her silver jubilee, Sister Jean selected one of her favorite biblical passages for the Gospel reading, Luke 24: 13-35, which asked sisters, family and friends to reflect upon the Emmaus journey.

“There are three aspects of this Gospel of Luke that speak strongly to me about Eucharist, about religious life, and about living a Christian life: the poverty of self-giving, listening and being in relationship with others; and coincidentally, they correspond to the three vows I committed to 25 years ago: poverty, obedience and chastity,” said Sister Jean during her reflection.

“This Gospel speaks to me because it is the burning passion for justice, and the energy for relationships that Jesus lived that calls me to live with integrity the vows I have made and have lived these past 25 years. You, my sisters, family and friends, and so many others I have met along the way, have been the ones who have called me to this integrity of my commitment, and to you I am most grateful.”

Sister Marlene Weisenbeck shared a brief welcome message at the evening prayer service, “Jean—you are also called, like one of those anonymous women Luke proclaims as part of the Good News, witnessing that the great death and life mystery of Jesus is the privilege of one’s ministry, preaching that seeking the journey, and finding the way is worth a life,” she said. “In thanksgiving for your life, we pray our congratulations.”

Sister Jean said that when she was little, she used to wonder why Jesus, who could perform miracles, didn’t just take himself off the cross. She said Jesus had a passion for what he believed in and was willing to give his life for it, for God’s will, which was for justice and peace. “Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that living as Jesus did means dying such a horrific death, but it does mean that we are called to live a life passionate for justice and peace in such a way that it is not all about us, but about the will of God,” she said. “It’s about being instruments of peace by living the poverty of self-giving for the sake of others. It’s about living for the common good. To do that, God gives us all that we need. All that we have is a gift from God to be used for the sake of all. A poverty of self-giving.”

Sister Jean’s jubilee was followed by a picnic dinner in the sunny St. Rose courtyard for sisters, family and friends.