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June 24, 2025, Adrian, Michigan – In a spirit of joy, homecoming, and happy reminiscence, the Adrian Dominican Sisters welcomed to the Motherhouse Campus 46 Jubilarians – Sisters celebrating milestone years of commitment to religious life. The June 19-21, 2025, celebration marked a total of 3,080 years of commitment to religious life by two 80-year Jubilarians; 10 75-year Jubilarians; 20 70-year (Double-Diamond) Jubilarians; 12 60-year (Diamond) Jubilarians; and two 25-year (Silver) Jubilarians.
While many Jubilarians and guests came a few days early to reunite with friends and celebrate their lives of ministry, the formal Jubilee celebration began on June 19, 2025, when the Jubilarians met with the General Council and later broke bread with them.
The event took on a thoughtful yet grateful tone on June 20, 2025, when the Jubilarians, guests, and other Sisters, Associates, and friends gathered to honor the deceased members of each crowd (class) of Jubilarians.
“We are here today to remember the 113 Sisters from those celebrating crowds who are no longer with us in the body,” said Sister Andrea Balconis, OP, a 60-year Jubilarian. “This is not a sad day,” she added, noting that the Sisters were celebrating in heaven.
The Liturgy began with the solemn, respectful recitation of the names of the 41 deceased 80-year Jubilarians, 46 deceased 75-year Jubilarians, 23 deceased 70-year Jubilarians, and five deceased 60-year Jubilarians.
In her preaching, Sister Marilyn Winter, OP, a 70-year Jubilarian, reflected on the mysteries of life and death. “We … know the transient nature of physical reality and that we need to aspire to lead good lives, to prepare to come before the judgment seat of God,” she said. The words of the readings of the Mass helped to make sense of death and gave a sense of hope in Jesus’ promises, Sister Marilyn said, adding that she was left with a desire for more.
She reflected on the ways that rituals help the survivors, recalling her recent experience at cemeteries on Memorial Day. The people who gathered “gained strength to continue their journeys from the stories of the past lives, not just of those who gave their full measure,” but of mothers, grandfathers, teachers, and coaches. In the same way, she said, the 2025 Jubilarians remember those who have gone before them: teachers, housemates, travel companions, and “those only known to us by their silent presence.”
In gatherings of Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates, “we see the face of God,” Sister Marilyn said. “We recommit each day to this life we have been given. We relish the time to share with those with whom we live and minister and those who have supported us through it all, and we value the precious times and spaces we have remaining.”
The Jubilarians, their guests, and other Sisters and Co-workers spent the rest of the day sharing time and building memories together: through a special lunch for Jubilarians and their guests; a happy hour in which the Jubilarians mingled with the Sister residents of the Dominican Life Center; a barbecue dinner; and a concert of classical piano music, performed by Sister Magdalena Ezoe, OP.
Sister Rosemary Finnegan, OP, 60-year Jubilarian, welcomed fellow Jubilarians, guests, Sisters, family members, and friends to the Jubilee Mass on the morning of June 21, 2025. “It’s a privilege to walk with these women as we journey down many changes, praising God and touching hearts along the way,” she said. “All of us feel privileged to spread the Gospel graces by our Creator, nurtured by our lives together.”
Sister Elise D. García, OP, Prioress of the Congregation, noted the fitness of the focus of the day’s readings on the Holy Spirit. “How else would you have responded to the call if it were not for the presence of the Spirit?” she asked. But, she added, they responded not only to the initial call to enter the Adrian Dominican Congregation, “but to each of the calls that have summoned you over the years, calls that took you to places near and far, to ministries you thought were beyond your reach, to a multitude of challenges and opportunities you never imagined.”
Sister Elise delineated the specific ways that the Jubilarians served the people of God through the years: through various ministries in education, parish and diocesan services, religious education and faith formation, healthcare, community and congregational leadership, justice and peace advocacy, and advocacy with marginalized groups. She noted that they served in 22 states and numerous countries.
“You have given witness to the depth of love … at the heart of the Spirit who animates us all,” Sister Elise concluded. “Wisdom’s radiance shines upon you.”
The Jubilarians demonstrated their willingness to continue their call to religious life and the Adrian Dominican Sisters as they renewed their vow of obedience “to Almighty God, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to our holy father, Saint Dominic,” and to Sister Elise and her lawful successors “according to the rule of St. Augustine and the Constitution of the Sisters of St. Dominic of the Congregation of the Most Holy Rosary until death.”
LEFT: Father James Hug, SJ, Priest Chaplain, watches as Jubilarians, from left, Sisters Joan Leo Kehn, OP (70), Joy Finfera, OP (60), and Ruby R. Lumanlan, OP (25), offer the gifts. Sister Judith Benkert, OP, a 60-year Jubilarian, watches in the background. RIGHT: Sister Ellen Kennedy, OP, left, a 75-year Jubilarian, poses with her blood sister, Sister Esther Kennedy, OP.
June 16, 2025, Adrian, Michigan – The Adrian Dominican Sisters and Co-workers celebrated the milestone years of the employment of 35 Co-workers, who represent a combined 465 years of service. The carnival-themed celebration, held June 13, 2025, at the Motherhouse Campus, included a picnic lunch for all Co-workers and a recognition ceremony.
Two Co-workers shared the honor of working with the Adrian Dominican Sisters 40 years. Rowena Heck, of Food Service, and Teresa Horn, currently in the Office of Information, recently shared their experiences.
Rowena began working part-time for the Sisters when she was a high school senior, starting out in Food Service – washing dishes, sweeping, mopping, and performing other kitchen tasks. Over the years, she has been involved in nearly every element of Food Service. “Right now, I do everything in the kitchen except [serving as] the main cook,” she said.
But for Rowena, her work for the Adrian Dominican Sisters has become like her home. “This place really helped me through life,” she said. Married at 25, she had two sons, Michael and Jared. She at first took them to after-school care, but the Sisters encouraged her to bring them to work. “The Sisters would help them with their homework,” she recalled. “They enjoyed teaching them spelling and writing.” One Sister took Jared with her when she fed apples to the deer. “It’s like their home, because they always came here before school started and after.”
The late Sister Anthonita Porta, OP, who brought the Montessori education system to St. Joseph Academy, helped get Rowena’s sons into the Academy. In addition, Rowena said, the Human Resources Department worked with her when she needed time off when her mother was dying. “There aren’t many places that work with you when you go through crises,” she said. “When I had to take [time] off because of my mom, they were there for me.”
Rowena said her biggest challenge over the years was during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the Congregation to close the dining room for Madden Hall, the administrative building. She was transferred to the dining room in the Dominican Life Center, serving the Sisters who were residents there rather than Co-workers. “Now I’m getting closer more and more with the Sisters in the area,” she said.
Overall, Rowena said, “It’s been an awesome ride, and I’m hoping to put in more years.”
Teresa Horn, who began working for the Adrian Dominican Sisters as “a struggling college student” at Siena Heights College (now University), has worked in a variety of positions over the past 40 years: secretary in the Ministry/Personnel and Retirement Offices; Campus Administration; Technology; Communications and Technology; and finally the Office of Information, where she currently works with the Congregation’s database.
Teresa has fond memories of the past 40 years, particularly of her years as administrative assistant for Campus Administration. Her responsibilities ran the gamut, from working with Sisters moving into the Motherhouse and working with policies and procedures to planning special events and responding to the needs of the Sisters and Co-workers during storms and power outages. Finally, Teresa worked on the telecommunications project, working with consultants to install an updated telecommunications system on the Motherhouse Campus. “I absolutely loved that job,” Teresa said. “Our office was the hub. We oversaw everything.”
She also likes the balance of prayer time, Church, and work time, including permission to attend the funeral of a Sister who impacted her. The Sisters and Co-workers at the Motherhouse often celebrate special feast days, such as the Feast of St. Dominic, “where we can all be together and sing and share Scriptures together. It’s nice to have that kind of environment.”
Teresa also emphasized the team spirit she encountered during her work. “Everything that I have done over the 40-plus years has always been accomplished because of others that I worked with,” she said. “We always did things together as a team and I am so appreciative of the support that was given to accomplish the end goals.”
Service has also been an important component of her time with the Adrian Dominican Sisters. “I always loved helping others with their needs – whether they were staff, resident, vendor, or visiting guest,” she said. “I believe helping others makes their day just a little lighter.”
Other Co-workers recognized during the recognition event included:
• 35 Years: Jan Perry, Dominican Life Center (DLC) Administration, and Marilyn Paus, Weber Retreat and Conference Center.
• 25 Years: Melissa Comfort, Nursing, and Diane Keefer, Resident Services.
• 20 Years: Barb Watson, Environmental Services, and Sister Sandy Exley, OP, Resident Services.
• 15 Years: Michelle Kadrovach, Finance Office, and Amanda Johns, Nursing.
• 10 Years: Joel Henricks, Campus Administration; Amy Palmer, Development Office; Sandra Place, DLC Administration; Kathi Serrato, Environmental Services; Lacey Bales, Facilities and Grounds; Beckie DuShane, Finance Office; Jeanette Desgrange, General Council Administration; Stacy Colley, Devin Horstman, Heather Ruskowsky, and Amanda Wilt, Nursing; Robyn Wellman, Office Support Services; and Heather Warren and Frreya Willnow, Resident Services.
• 5 Years: Keith Gordon, Eleta Moll, and Ashley Serrato, Environmental Services; Levi Pike, Food Service; Stephanie Garcia, Gwi Jeong Jung, Madison Morgret, Lisa Paulette, Louann Pursifull, and Alison Tripp, Nursing; and Russ Amo, Transportation.
The Adrian Dominican Sisters, an equal-opportunity employer, always seek Co-workers in a variety of fields, willing to serve as partners in mission with the Sisters. See our employment page at https://adriandominicans.org/Employment for more information on the culture of the workplace and current job openings.
Feature photos at top - Left: Rowena Heck, left, receives her Service Award for 40 years with the Adrian Dominican Sisters from Jason Wilkins, Director of Food Service. He was dressed as a ring master in keeping with the celebration’s theme, Carnival. Right: Teresa Horn, left, recognized for 40 years of service with the Adrian Dominican Sisters, stands next to Sister Joy Finfera, OP, Director of the Office of Information.