Mass marks Albertine Sisters' 50 years of ministry of love, compassion in Gary Diocese

MUNSTER, Ind. (OSV News) -- When 18 Albertine Sisters gathered at the Carmelite Monastery in Munster for a celebration of 50 years of service in the Diocese of Gary, familiar faces and habits brought to mind the hospitable charisms of the nuns who coordinate a residential care center in Hammond.

At a Mass offered Sept. 22, the feast of Blessed Bernardyna -- born as Maria Jablonska -- the co-foundress of the Congregation of Albertine Sisters Serving the Poor was honored as the model of generosity and faith that has inspired members of the Polish order.

Bishop Robert J. McClory of Gary, the presider, concelebrated with hosting Carmelite Fathers, also of Polish heritage, for a Sunday afternoon Mass where friends and supporters of the Albertines' mission filled the monastery church.

"In this time of Eucharistic revival in the United States, Blessed Bernardyna is a great example for us because we're told that she was marked with a special devotion to the most holy Eucharist and by extraordinary goodness to others," Bishop McClory said in his homily. "And so today we celebrate the joyful occasion for sisters who have given witness to this founding charism. Sisters, dziekuje (thank you.)"

Also from Poland, Sister Teresa Maciuszek, mother general of the congregation, was in attendance and participated in the Mass, which featured Polish hymns such as "Wielbimy Serce Jezusa," translated as "We Adore the Heart of Jesus."

Affinity for Polish culture and the associated steadfastness for the Catholic faith had Bishop McClory sharing about the large number of Polish clergy, religious and laity he has worked with during his roles in the Archdiocese of Detroit and in Gary. He joked about how his circulatory system had become a hybrid of sorts, "I have an Irish heart with Polish blood."

Albertines stepped onto the sanctuary to read from Scripture and lead the responsorial psalm. As they walked to their places they passed a decorative arrangement that featured the number 50 and the Magnificat -- the Blessed Mother's prayer from Luke chapter 1 -- displayed on an open book.

At the Carmelite Monastery Hall, hearty Polish entrees were served as Sister Danuta Karwacka, convent superior and delegate of the mother general, rose to deliver a speech.

She first retold a story about the time when then-Bishop of Gary Andrew G. Grutka visited the motherhouse in Kraków. The diocesan shepherd had traveled to Europe, looking to invite religious to serve in his diocese.

"In their conversation, mother asked him: 'How many sisters do you want, bishop?' He answered, '50.' This was just a joke," Sister Danuta said as laughter filled the hall.

Though the mother general was not able to provide the founding bishop of Gary with 50 nuns, Sister Danuta did reflect on the 50 years of the Albertine religious institute of sisters serving in the U.S. Each sister from Poland departed from her homeland to selflessly imitate the work of co-founder St. Brother Albert (Adam Chmielowski), who ministered in Kraków in the late 1800s.

Sister Danuta remarked that for some, "it seems like yesterday, but it was exactly 50 years ago, on September 24, 1974, that the Albertine Sisters arrived in the United States. … Among those five pioneering nuns, two remain in active service, residing in Hammond: Sister Loretta Soja and Sister Zygmunta Wojtusiak.

"Besides the blessing before their departure from Poland, the sisters also received a letter of recommendation from Cardinal of Kraków Karol Wojtyla (the future Pope John Paul II) addressed to Bishop Grutka," she said.

After a period of immersive English language studies at Camp Lawrence in Porter County, Indiana, the sisters took up residence at St. Joseph Church in downtown Hammond, which was under the pastorate of senior priest Father Joseph Vamos. There in the shadow of the former St. Margaret Hospital, they earned certifications to work as nurses.

In 1984, Bishop Grutka solemnly blessed the newly expanded Albertine Home, where the nuns have assisted, cooked for, prayed with and provided entertaining fellowship among more than 400 residents, including more than 50 priests.

Nine Albertine nuns presently minister in Hammond: Sister Patrycja Bryniarska, Sister Hiacynta Gronka, Sister Danuta, Sister Kate Radczuk, Sister Soja, Sister Jadwiga Szczechowicz, Sister Maksymiliana Szwajnos, Sister Wojtusiak and Sister Damiana Picket, who recently entered the novitiate.

They are responsible for the care of six priests and 24 laypeople.

"The residents feel very much at home and in the atmosphere of relaxation and freedom to enjoy the blessings that God has given them in life," Sister Danuta said. "Today we thank Almighty God for the many graces we have received through these past 50 years of work in the USA."

Sister Kate professed her permanent vows in 2009, but has spent less than a month residing with the Hammond Albertines. She identified the key characteristics of her fellow religious. "The sisters are all about Jesus and fulfilling the mission, the vocation they've got. They serve other ones ... and they see Jesus in the other ones."

Angie McCoy was present to honor the tender loving care that the Albertines provided for her mother, the late Maxine Haidos, who resided at the Hammond center from 2013-2021.

"It's a love, they have such compassion," said McCoy. "When my mom had cancer and was preparing to undergo surgery, they got a little juicer and they would always make sure my mom was eating and they were kind of giving her some extra nourishment."

On an occasion when Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago was at a liturgy at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary, he noticed the demeanor of Albertine Sisters in attendance
According to Sister Karwacka, Cardinal George asked now-retired Gary Bishop Dale J. Melczek if some of the sisters could work for him at his residence. "(The cardinal) likewise made his request known to Sister Rozalia Piszczek, our mother general at the time, who agreed to send three sisters," Sister Karwacka said.

She added, "There was one condition: that the other sisters would be able to work among the poor in the Archdiocese of Chicago, in accord with the Albertine charism."

The partnership to work at the cardinal's residence began in 2002. Two charitable missions opened in partnership with Catholic Charities: first, at St. Blase Church in Chicago, and, years later, in Round Lake, Illinois. The Albertines report that each month more than 1,000 needy individuals arrive at the food pantries for assistance.

Among the youth who carried banners, served at the altar and performed traditional Polish dances at the anniversary celebration were students from the Polish school at St. William Church in Chicago. In 2016, the Hammond-based Albertines helped launch the institution, which is presently under the leadership of principal Marzena Klimek.