On Sunday, April 4th , Sr. Mary Ancillita smsm was among the many Sisters of different congregations who celebrated Jubilees at the Marillac Residence in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts.

Sr. Ancillita made her first vows as a Marist Missionary Sister 70 years ago! She told us she had served 36 years in Samoa, 11 years in Vanuatu, and 4 years in New Zealand as well as many years here in the USA. The actual date of her anniversary was on February 2nd, but the Sister in charge of the Residence told us that they had moved the celebration date to the Spring in order to avoid snow. We all laughed at that since it had been snowing for 5 hours that morning – just enough to coat all the trees and bushes with beauty, but not enough to stop any of the visitors from coming.

There was a beautiful community Mass. Father Robert Champaign SM, concelebrated. He is now a resident at the Elizabeth Seton nursing home, and is also celebrating his 70th anniversary of profession this year. Marist Fathers Paul Frechette, Andy Albert and Frank Grispino were there for the Eucharist and for the wonderful dinner that followed in the Sisters' large dining hall.

At present there are 20 Marist Missionary Sisters living at the Marillac residence or at the Elizabeth Seton nursing home next door. We are very grateful to the Sisters of Charity of Halifax for welcoming our senior sisters to this beautiful and well-run care center.