Joyful Jubilee at Emmanuel College
July 2, 2026
75-Year Jubilarians, left to right: Sisters Jane McAndrews, Adrienne Curran, Madeline Carrabino and Mary Therese Flattery, SNDdeN
A perfect, sunny day greeted family, friends and Sisters at Emmanuel College for a Eucharistic Liturgy of Thanksgiving on June 28, 2026. Ten Jubilarians representing 720 years of combined service to our good God were the guests of honor.
The faithful filling the chapel in the Eisner Administrative Building rose to their feet as the Sisters followed the cross of Notre Dame de Namur, carried by Associate Lynne Clarkin, down the center aisle toward the altar.
Several Jubilarians had roles in the Mass, including Sisters Josita Colbert and Adrienne Curran, SNDdeN, who were readers. The gift bearers were Sisters Claire Pierz, Jane McAndrews and Nancy Rowen, SNDdeN and Deb Ducharme, Associate of Notre Dame.
Members of the U.S. East-West Province leadership team also had speaking roles. Sister Pat O’Brien, SNDdeN humorously pointed out that she was just eight weeks old when the youngest of these Jubilarians entered the convent. She then went on
70-Year Jubilarians, standing, left to right: Sisters Nancy Rowen, Judy Nee, Juana McCarthy, SNDdeN; seated, left to right: Sisters Josita Colbert, Evelyn Ronan and Claire Pierz, SNDdeN
to describe some of the world’s historic moments that have occurred since then, such as war and times of peace, prosperity and times of struggle. All moments when the Jubilarians joyfully responded to God’s call by saying, “Send me.”
“Even when times got difficult, our Jubilarians remained faithful,” Sister Pat shared. “They were, in the words of Pope Leo in his recent encyclical, women who refused to give up, who persevered in doing good, who protected the vulnerable and who opened pathways to reconciliation.”
A highlight was the renewal of vows, when the Jubilarians stood to again consecrate themselves to our good God.
Following communion, the closing hymn was sung as the Jubilarians processed out of the chapel and to the reception hall. Guests and other Sisters joined them, greeted by tables beautifully decorated with sunflower and rose arrangements. All enjoyed a buffet lunch with green salad, potato salad, sandwiches and chips. Dessert was a choice of cheesecake or lemon bars.
Soon, the meal was finished, congratulations were said, photos were taken, gifts distributed and the room slowly emptied. It could not have been a more lovely tribute to our 2026 Jubilarians.
“Words cannot thank the many people who helped in any way,” said Sister Judy Nee, SNDdeN, “so with St. Paul I say, ‘I thank my God for you every time I think of you.’”
75 Years
- Sister Madeline Carrabino, SNDdeN
- Sister Adrienne Curran, SNDdeN
- Sister Mary Therese Flattery, SNDdeN
- Sister Jane McAndrews, SNDdeN
70 Years
- Sister Josita Colbert, SNDdeN
- Sister Juana McCarthy, SNDdeN
- Sister Judith Nee, SNDdeN
- Sister Claire Pierz, SNDdeN
- Sister Evelyn Ronan, SNDdeN
- Sister Nancy Rowen, SNDdeN
