To honor religious marking milestone anniversaries in 2024, Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory celebrated the Archdiocesan Jubilee Mass for Consecrated Men and Women on Feb. 4 at the St. Ursula Chapel of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington’s Pastoral Center in Hyattsville, Maryland.
In his homily, the cardinal noted that the men and women religious marking anniversaries are also celebrating the grace of God’s fidelity in their lives. “We celebrate the wondrous truth that the Lord has touched each of your lives in so many generous and compassionate ways,” he said.
Cardinal Gregory said certain moments “cry out for special gratitude because they remind us of how steadfast God is in His love.”
Concluding his homily, the cardinal said, “For each year of grace, we give thanks and praise. The joy of today also belongs to us in this entire local church in its corporate reality, as we give thanks for these men and women whose lives tell us of God’s unbroken love for the past 60 or 50 or 25 or any number of years greater or lesser than these, for His love knows no bounds and is everlasting!”
The following biographies and photos of women and men in consecrated life marking milestone anniversaries in 2024 were compiled by the archdiocese’s Office of Consecrated Life.
75th anniversary
Father Conrad Schmitt of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity is celebrating his diamond jubilee of 75 years of religious life. Father Conrad was born in Baltimore and was educated at Calvert Hall in that city. He attended St. Joseph Seminary in Alabama and the Holy Trinity Seminary in Silver Spring, Maryland. Father Conrad worked in general administration for the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity. He did pastoral work in Georgia and Alabama before retirement.
60th anniversary
Holy Cross Sister Paula Helene Goettelmann is celebrating her diamond jubilee of 60 years of religious life. Sister Paula was born in Washington, D.C., and attended the Academy of the Holy Cross locally and then the College of Saint Teresa in Minnesota, where she received a bachelor of science degree in nursing. She then attended The Catholic University of America in Washington for her master of science degree in nursing. Sister Paula served as a registered nurse on the staff of the Hospice of the Chesapeake and served in support staff in Ghana. She was also a registered nurse on the staff at Holy Cross Home Care and Hospice. Sister Paula, who was awarded the Distinguished Alumna Award at the Academy of the Holy Cross, is now retired.
Sister Madonna Marie Lenikus of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is celebrating her diamond jubilee of 60 years of religious life. Sister Madonna Marie was born in Pittsburgh, where she graduated from St. Mary of the Mount High School. She then graduated from Marywood College in Scranton, Monmouth College in New Jersey and Trinity College in Washington. Sister Madonna Marie served as a school counselor for 31 years at Little Flower School in Bethesda and for about 20 years at Annunciation School in Washington. Over the years, she also taught junior high students.
Holy Cross Sister Ruth Marie Nickerson is celebrating her diamond jubilee of 60 years of religious life. Sister Ruth Marie was born in Orange, New Jersey. She attended Blessed Sacrament School in Washington, D.C., and the Academy of the Holy Cross. Sister Ruth Marie received her bachelor of science degree in nursing at Seattle University and her master of science degree in nursing at the University of Colorado in Denver. Sister Ruth Marie served as the president and CEO of St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, California, and at Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills, California. She also served as the Area Coordinator of North America for the Sisters of the Holy Cross from 2010-14.
Sister Mary Frances Taymans of the Sisters of Notre Dame is celebrating her diamond jubilee of 60 years of religious life. Sister Mary Frances was born in Washington, D.C. She earned a master of science degree from Purdue University and a doctorate in education from George Washington University. Sister Mary Frances is the former executive director of the Secondary School Department of the National Catholic Educational Association and earlier served as the assistant superintendent for high schools in the Archdiocese of Washington. She also served as the principal of Cardinal Gibbons High School in North Carolina and Clearwater Central Catholic High School in Florida, and taught at George Washington University and at the University of Dayton.
50th anniversaries
Sister Chukwuka Okpala-Anaechedo of the Daughters of Divine Love is celebrating her golden jubilee of 50 years in religious life. She was born in Anambra State, Nigeria and attended Queen of the Rosary College there. Sister Chukwuka graduated from St. Patrick’s Pontifical College in Maynooth, Ireland. After retiring from her work as a school principal in Nigeria, she came to the United States to work for the development office of the Daughters of Divine Love.
Also recognized at the jubilarian Mass was Father Salvatore Sciurba of the Discalced Carmelite Friars, who is marking his 50th anniversary.
25th anniversaries
Sister Hannah Huyen Nguyen of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate is celebrating her silver jubilee of 25 years of religious life. Sister Hannah was born in Vietnam and received her general theology bachelor of science certificate. Sister Hannah is the local superior of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate in Maryland. She has been working as a teacher and leader of the St. Maria Goretti youth group and teaches fourth grade catechism. Sister Hannah also works at home as a family childcare provider.
Sister M. Franslily Cordoba of the Missionaries of Charity is celebrating her silver jubilee of 25 years of religious life. Sister M. Franslily was born in Colombia, South America. She teaches religious education and serves as a caregiver at her order’s Gift of Peace home in Washington, D.C.
