Five jubilarians celebrate 240 years of religious life

By Carissa Krautscheid 

This month 30 religious brothers and sisters gathered to recognize five jubilarians who are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. Together, the jubilarians represent 240 years of service. They have ministered as nurses, administrators, and educators in the community, schools, hospitals, parishes, and the Diocese of Tucson. The jubilee celebration included Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, renewal of vows, lunch with Bishop Edward Weisenburger, and remarks on the spiritual life from Fr. Greg Adolf. 

Congratulations to the 2023 jubilarians! 
 

Sister Mary Teresa Bettag, OFM ~ 5 years 

Sr. Mary Teresa is celebrating the fifth anniversary of professing her first vows on June 24, 2018. She recently professed her final vows on July 16, 2023 in the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. Originally from Wisconsin, Sr. Mary Teresa ministers in Yuma as a theology teacher at Yuma Catholic High School. Sr. Mary Teresa coaches track and cross country for the school, and enjoys competing in the Yuma Marathon each year.  

“It's wild to me to be celebrating a jubilee the same year as I professed my final vows!” said Sr. Mary Teresa. “I spent this year reflecting on the gift of the Lord's call to me, so the opportunity to continue to celebrate it is particularly meaningful to me. After making the commitment for life, it is so beautiful for me to be able to celebrate with so many women whose life commitment has been so faithful for so many years. What a witness, to me and to all of us, of the fidelity of the faithful and the faithfulness of God!” 

 

Sister Irma Odabashian, CSJ ~45 years 

Sr. Irma is celebrating her 45th anniversary with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, was the first order of Religious Sisters to come to Tucson 153 years ago. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet built the schools and the first hospitals in this region. Sr. Irma served in healthcare as a hospital administrator, chaplain, and patient representative at St. Mary’s Hospital. Sr. Irma also serves on the board of Catholic Community Services and ministers at Casa Alitas Welcome Center for asylum seekers. 

“When I look back at the past 45 years as a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet,” said Sr. Irma, “I feel more and more in awe and grateful to God to be part of His plan. He brought me to my Congregation so that I could experience His love for me through the blessings of living in Community. Our charism of unifying love of neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God, helped me to grow and interact with greater appreciation for everyone's uniqueness and God's unconditional love for all. I feel humbled and deeply grateful for God's goodness to me all my life.” 
 

Sister Janet Rose, OFM ~ 60 years 

“God called me to teach in six different dioceses in the United States,” said Sr. Janet, who is celebrating 60 years with the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. She is currently ministering as an interventionist at Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Yuma. “I have had the opportunity to walk together with people in different cultural settings,” said Sr. Janet. “I have found each culture to be beautiful because God was there, residing in the hearts of his people. I have found each to be personally enriching, mirroring the wonderful diversity in God’s creation. Not only did I teach God’s people, but they also taught me many wonderful things.” 

Sr. Janet encourages those who are discerning Religious Life to remember what Jesus asked us to do in Luke 10:2. “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Sr. Janet said, “If I were to have a chance to live my life over, I would choose religious life again. I have found a life given to God to be infinitely rewarding and I humbly thank Him for choosing me.” 
 

Sister Charlotte Anne Swift, OP ~ 65 years 

Sr. Charlotte Anne is celebrating 65 years with the Adrian Dominican Sisters. She was taught by Dominican Sisters from kindergarten through high school. “Early in high school I knew the call I was hearing was real,” she said. “I was able to go to daily Mass in the high school chapel. There was a moment of hesitation in my senior year and my sister/counselor was gently encouraging.” Now, Sr. Charlotte Anne reflects on her lifetime as a religious sister. “Living the Adrian Dominican life is a precious gift as we strive to ‘seek truth, make peace, reverence life', and give to others from our contemplation.” 

Sr. Charlotte Anne taught school for 16 years then served as the principal of Santa Cruz Catholic School in Tucson for 11 years and as the director of Project YES, a youth center in South Tucson, for 15 years. After more than four decades of working with youth, Sr. Charlotte Anne became the assistant to Bishop Gerald Kicanas. She has worked with the Diocese of Tucson’s bishop emeritus for the past 21 years. “I am grateful every day,” said Sr. Charlotte Anne. “To say ‘65 years’ seems like I am talking about someone else!” 

Sister Vivian Gallegos, IHM ~ 65 years 

Sr. Vivian is celebrating her 65th anniversary with the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, whose primary charism is teaching. Sr. Vivian taught for 49 years, including 12 years in public school and three years in the Philippines and Indonesia. “I enjoyed going to school and teaching!” recalled Sr. Vivian. The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary operate a Pre-K through 12 Catholic school in Tucson.  

“Life is beautiful and the Lord has blessed me a hundred fold,” said Sr. Vivian. When thinking back on her lifetime as a Religious Sister, Sr. Vivian thinks of two quotes: “Thou hast made us for thyself O Lord, and our hearts are restless til’ they rest in Thee” said by St. Augustine and “One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: to dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life” from Psalm 27:4.