Every year the Serra Club of Erie hosts a luncheon at the Erie Yacht Club to recognize and honor priests and religious sisters working in the diocese of Erie who are celebrating jubilee years. For the past two years the club was unable to hold the event because of the pandemic. This year the club wanted to hold a live luncheon event to honor them, but after consulting with the religious orders in the diocese, it was decided not to because of lingering concerns over covid. Since the Jubilarians were unable to be recognized at an in-person event, Tom Guelcher, president of the Serra Club of Erie, met with each local order of sisters and gave them certificates recognizing their years of service to the diocese of Erie. Priests and deacons within the Erie area were given their certificates and those outside of the Erie area were mailed their certificates.
The Erie Benedictine community had four sisters celebrating a Jubilee:
Sister Mary Louis Eichenlaub, O.S.B. – 70 years
Sister Cecilia Sullivan, O.S.B. – 70 years
Sister Theresa Zoky, O.S.B. – 60 years
Sister Linda Romey, O.S.B. – 25 years
The Sisters of Mercy had eight members being honored for their service:
Sister Mary Mark McCarthy, R.S.M. – 75 years
Sister Phyllis Marie McDonald, R.S.M. – 75 years
Sister Bernadette Bell, R.S.M. – 70 years
Sister Mary Paul Carioty, R.S.M. – 70 years
Sister Mary Felice Duska, R.S.M. – 70 years
Sister Natalie Rossi, R.S.M. – 60 years
Sister Teresa Okonski, R.S.M. – 60 years
Sister Patricia Whalen, R.S.M. – 60 years
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania Jubilarians included these five sisters:
Sister Rose Marie Chisholm, S.S.J. – 75 years
Sister James Francis Mulligan, S.S.J. – 75 years
Sister Ann Patrice Murnock, S.S.J. – 70 years
Sister Mary Arnold Tann, S.S.J. – 70 years
Sister Ricarda Vincent, S.S.J. – 70 years
Speaking for the Sisters of St. Joseph Jubilarians, Sister Ricarda Vincent said “We deeply
appreciate the recognition, awards and accolades given by the Serra Club. Their encouragement
and the support of the laity increases our motivation to serve the Catholic community of the
Diocese of Erie well. We are energized by that support.”
One other religious sister active in the diocese of Erie celebrated a jubilee year as well:
Sister Rita Lynch, M.H.S.H. – 60 years; Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart
Eight priests of the diocese of Erie celebrated their jubilee years. They are:
Rev. Msgr. Bruce R. Allison – 60 years
Rev. William M. Kuba – 60 years
Rev. Msgr. Charles A. Kaza – 50 years
Rev. Msgr. Robert M. Malene – 50 years
Very Rev. Chris M. Hamlett, V.F. – 40 years
Rev. James P. McCormick – 40 years
Very Rev. Richard J. Allen, E.V. – 25 years
Rev. Michael G. DeMartinis – 25 years
The Serra Club of Erie also honored five diocesan deacons including:
Deacon Martin P. Eisert – 25 years
Deacon Dennis M. Kudlak – 20 years
Deacon William A. Sproveri – 20 years
Deacon Raymond L. Wiehagen – 20 years
Deacon William H. Wright – 20 years