Celebrating 18 Jubilarians, Religious Sisters & Brothers

On the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19, religious sisters and brothers from across the Diocese of Tucson gathered virtually to celebrate their milestone Jubilee years! These 18 religious have given a combined 950 years in service to God and the Catholic Church, since taking their first vows. Congratulations, Jubilarians, and thank you for your invaluable prayers and contributions to our community! 
 
Enjoy a video presentation celebrating the lives of these incredible 18 brothers and sisters, and read more about each below! 
 

 

70 YEARS 

Trappistine sister, Sr. Clare Renquin, OCSO, was chosen as one of the six founding sisters of Santa Rita Monastery. Her love of Jesus and her dedication to prayer have been invaluable in all the ups and downs of the monastic life, not to mention her sense of adventure and her sense of humor! Her talents as an iconographer and weaver have enriched the community. Now in her 90s, Sr. Clare's body has slowed down, but her love of Jesus and of the community is as strong as ever. Santa Rita Abbey said, “She inspires us with her gifts of wit and courage in the face of the challenges and the privileges of aging.” Thank you, Sr. Clare, for persevering in this life-long adventure called the consecrated life! 
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65 YEARS 

Trappistine sister, Sr. Jacqui Moor, OCSO, finds great joy in singing the Divine Office, “I will sing forever of your love, O Lord!" [Ps 88(89):1]. Sr. Jacqui said, “My vocation goes back to early in my life. I have always seen it as Jesus' gift to me, rather than I giving Him anything!” Santa Rita Abbey describes her as, “Helper of everybody in need, generous and smiling, Jacqui’s greatest gift is the presence of a person who embodies a long and faithful living out of Cistercian ideals and practice.”
 
Medical Mission Sister, Sr. Patricia Gootee, MMS, spent 40 years in Peru and speaks fluent Spanish. The plight of migrants is very close to her heart. After serving in Caritas in El Paso, Sr. Pat came to Tucson. At Casa Alitas, Sr. Judy helps to prepare breakfast and lunch for migrants arriving in the United States. Though the migrants only stay for a day or two before moving on to join their families across the country, they are greeted by compassionate and loving volunteers like Sr. Patricia. 
 
In 2021, Sr. Dorothy Ann Lesher, CSJ, celebrated her 65th jubilee with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondalet. She arrived in the Diocese of Tucson in 1968 and has ministered as a teacher at St. Joseph School, CCD coordinator at St. Ambrose Parish, core member at Desert House of Prayer, and staff member in pastoral care at Villa Maria Care Center. Sr. Dorothy Ann is currently a pastoral volunteer for Villa Maria Chapel Foundation, ministering at Villa Maria Care Center which is a nursing home and assisted living center. 
 

60 YEARS 

Sr. Joneen Keuler, OSF, shared, “My life and ministry as a School Sister of St. Francis has been full and rich with opportunities to serve God's people. My first 30 years were spent in health care as a Clinical Nutritionist, followed by 14 years of ministry with the members of my community, accompanying them as they made life transitions. I presently offer spiritual direction for women and men of all faith traditions. I treasure my vocation and my Franciscan heritage." 
 
In 2021, Sr. Lois Paha, OP, celebrated her 60th jubilee with the Adrian Dominican Sisters. My call to religious life began very early in my life.  From the time I was in first grade, I wanted to be a nun, a teacher!  Throughout that time, I have been guided by the Lord’s words from the Gospel of Luke: “I have come among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27) and the words of Psalm 100, “...serve the Lord with gladness...”  
Watch Sr. Lois’ story here.
 
Sr. Mary Anne McElmurry, OP, grew up in Tucson and graduated from Salpointe High School. “My call to religious life included years of teaching and retreat work which I enjoyed immensely.  Being from the southwest was a blessing because I was missioned in the Tucson Diocese for many of my teaching years. Following the Dominican motto ‘to contemplate and give to others the fruit of contemplation’ has been my guiding prayer throughout these years. In retirement now, I have more time for prayer and contemplation and also am grateful to be a caregiver for one of my Dominican sisters and some of my family members and friends who live here.” 
 

55 YEARS 

Trappistine sister, Sr. Esther Sawal, OCSO, spent many years as a pillar of the altar bread bakery crew at Santa Rita Abbey. Recently, Sr. Esther shares her gifts as an artist. Her authentic prayer is reflected in each of her sculptures. Her community said, “The ‘extraordinary’ extends to her culinary efforts and her gardening, as well as her dazzling smile.” Sr. Esther said, “These two verses sustain my whole being: ‘In God I trust, I shall not fear’ and ‘Fear not I am with you.’ [Ps 55(56):5 and Isaiah 41:10].” 
 
Sr. Kathleen Cook, CSA, escorted her little sister on a discernment day. To her surprise, the religious community was “friendly, happy, and most important, interested in me. The whole day was mystical. The sisters at prayer and Mass seemed to be angels praying. The hallways seemed to be oozing with mystery. I could not get rid of the feeling of wanting to be a part of this way of life.” With the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, Sr. Kathleen since taught in Catholic elementary grade schools for 32 years. She moved to Bisbee and began ministering with Catholic Community Services. Sr. Kathleen later served as the Director of Religious Education for St. Patrick’s Parish Mission in Naco, AZ. “Life is wonderful. God does work in strange ways.” 
Read more about Sr. Kathleen’s vocation journey.
 
While living in Cochise County with the Congregation of St. Agnes, Sr. Susan Kolb, CSA, said, “Our goal is to create community among ourselves, to pray together and to trust we will find our way to be of service to the needs of the people here. Members of CSA have always been involved with immigrants and human rights issues. Sr. Susan is a lawyer and worked as the Managing Attorney of a legal aid office which provides civil legal services to the poor in three counties in southeast Arizona. 
Read more
 
Medical Mission Sister, Sr. Judy MacDonell, MMS, joyfully serves migrants arriving in Tucson. At Casa Alitas, Sr. Judy helps to prepare breakfast and lunch, and works in the laundry facility. “She shared that she hopes the colorful, vibrant mural at the front door of Casa Alitas helps to ease the newcomers’ anxieties or fears” (Medical Mission Sisters). 
 
With the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, Sr. Mary Rose Obholz, CSA, is known for saying “Walk the walk and talk the talk.” Her friend, Sr. Susan Kolb, described, “She teaches me a lot about how walking the walk is more important than talking the talk. Sr. Mary Rose stepped off the sidewalk and into the streets a long time ago. She radiates love and has a rebellious streak. She uses the indigenous wisdom of local people to make progress and expand wellness.” Sr. Mary Rose reflected, “I listen to who a person is -- that's more important than listening to the words they say.” 
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50 YEARS 

With the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, Sr. Christi Ann Laudolff, CSA, said, “My ministry is working as the office manager for Sr. Susan Kolb's law firm, We Are One Family.” Sr. Susan said, “There are hundreds of different legal forms, and she is invaluable to me in this work.” Sr. Christi Ann said, “Everyone has a story that comes to us for help. Some of the stories can be painful to hear.” The members of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes have found a deep appreciation for the people they have been able to support in their hopes and dreams to become U.S. citizens, and hope to be able to continue their work. 
Read more
 
Trappistine sister, Sr. Victoria Murray, OCSO, was the youngest of the brave nuns sent into the Wild West in 1972. After serving as the subprioress and novice mistress for many years, Sr. Vicki was elected to be the prioress in 2012, and re-elected in 2018. Her selflessness in caring for her sisters and her spiritual vision of everyone and everything as a burning bush of God's presence are a great gift to her community. Her favorite verse is, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Sr. Vicki thanks God, “For the gift of your call to follow in the footsteps of your Son in the monastic way and your merciful love along the way, I thank you, Father, with all my heart.” 
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40 YEARS 

As a La Sallian Christian Brother, Bro. Jack Henderson, FSC, ministers at San Miguel High School as a science teacher. “Brother Jack’s biology and science initiatives go far beyond just the classroom. His classroom is filled with creatures great and small, and outside the classroom he mentors students on the school’s aquaponics system, native plant identification around campus, and co-chairs the school’s robotics teams” (San Miguel High School). 
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As La Sallian Christian Brother, Bro. Jesús M. Lara, FSC, ministers at San Miguel High School where he is the corporate work study program coordinator. A student at San Miguel said, “He is very caring and that’s what makes kids want to come to school.” Jesus walks with the students on their journeys. “What I really like about being a brother is the family I’ve joined,” said Brother Jesús. “We’re all different, from all walks of life. But we’re all following the same path. We’re a family with purpose.” 
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25 YEARS 

Visiting from the Springfield Dominican Sisters, Sr. Mary Jo Sobieck, OP, celebrated her 25th jubilee in 2021. Sr. Mary Jo volunteers at Casa Maria Soup Kitchen and works at a local public school where her habit invites conversations with students of all faiths. "When I entered religious life, I said sports was my love. I loved my teammates, I loved team sports, I loved the drive to push yourself to reach your potential. Now I feel we never all completely reach our potential until we reach heaven, but I feel like I've been given all these opportunities and I've had such a wonderful 25-years. Now, I want to help people reach theirs. It's about helping people in a different way, to draw people in to discover the beauty that I lived and the joy I lived.” 
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With the Dominican Sisters of Oakford, Sr. Gladys Echenique, OP, is currently working for the Diocese of Tucson as the coordinator for the Hispanic Ministry. “I am very blessed to be able to look back on the life that I have lived as a consecrated religious. The people, the places, the ministry opportunities - everything has been an adventure of faith a source of joy, peace, and fulfillment. I am very grateful to God’s personal call to me, to my congregation, and to all the people I am called to serve here and now!” 

Congratulations, Jubilarians!