Jubiliarians are ‘a special treasure,’ archbishop says

Providence Sister Jane Bodine, who entered religious life in 1937, receives a certificate of appreciation from Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein during the World Day for Consecrated Life Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.

By Sean Gallagher

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Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein gathered with more than 100 men and women religious from across the archdiocese on Feb. 4 during the World Day of Consecrated Life Mass celebrated at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.

Singling out the many religious present celebrating jubilees of entrance into religious life or profession of vows, the archbishop described them as “a special treasure of our local Church.”

“This afternoon, we thank you for giving witness to fidelity and the power of prayer,” Archbishop Buechlein said during his homily. “Thank you for the many ways you have served these many years in your communities and in our Church.”

The men and women religious present at the Mass came to serve the Church in central and southern Indiana from near and far.

Providence Sister Jane Bodine grew up in the town of St. Mary-of-the-Woods in the shadow of the motherhouse of the community she joined 70 years ago.

She was taught in grade school by members of the Sisters of Providence, and one sister in particular helped plant the seeds of her vocation when Sister Jane was still very young.

“Even in the first grade, I was so impressed with [Sister Clara’s] kindness that I said to my mother that I was going to be just like [her],” Sister Jane said. “I’ve never quite made it. She really impressed me from the very first day of school.”

Sister Jane went on to teach at Catholic schools in Illinois and Indiana, including Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville and the former Ladywood Academy in Indianapolis.

Beginning in 1981, Sister Jane helped her congregation establish a development office that raises funds to support its life and ministries. With the support of Lilly Endowment Inc., she went on to help numerous religious communities across the United States do the same.

Unlike Sister Jane, Providence Sister Noreen Wu grew up in Taiwan, far away from her congregation’s motherhouse.

Raised a Buddhist, she was introduced to Catholicism as a student at Providence University in Taiwan, a school founded by the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

“The first thing I learned in college was that God is love,” said Sister Noreen, who joined the Sisters of Providence 25 years ago. “I just felt that [Catholicism] was a religion that could help me to deepen my faith, to deepen my relationship with God, with myself and with others.”

Sister Noreen is currently a doctoral student in counseling psychology at Indiana State University.

Benedictine Sister Amelia Banet grew up at St. Mary-of-the-Knobs. A founding member of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, she taught and was involved in parish ministry in Perry County in the Tell City Deanery for more than 50 years.

Now residing at her community’s monastery in Beech Grove, Sister Amelia currently works in the business office of the sisters’ St. Paul Hermitage adjacent to the monastery.

“I’m very happy in my life,” said Sister Amelia. “I find great fulfillment in my religious vocation. I like to be of service to others, and I still can do a lot of that here at the Hermitage.”

Franciscan Sister Joan Elise Smith was raised in Dayton, Ohio, and joined her Oldenburg-based religious community in 1946.

During many decades of teaching, Sister Joan Elise served at Catholic schools in Ohio and Indiana, including St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) School and the former Holy Trinity School, both in Indianapolis, and the Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg.

She has participated in the annual World Day of Consecrated Life Mass several times and appreciates worshipping together with members of several religious communities living and ministering in the archdiocese.

“I think it brings out the many facets of God,” said Sister Joan Elise. “He’s very creative. We’re not all alike, [but] we’re all following him.” †