From left, Sister Mary Elizabeth Endee, Pre-Postulant Director; Sister Fiat Marie; and Sister Sophia Peters, Postulant Director

MERIDEN, CT (06-16-2023) – The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart will be remembered by Cara Fusco as a special feast as she was received into the novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist on this day. In a private ceremony, Cara read her request to Mother Miriam Seiferman, Mother General, in the presence of the Franciscan Community, after which Mother Miriam’s wise words of acceptance and affirmation echoed in the hearts of all present.

The Reverend Christopher Murphy, Rector of Our Lady of Providence Seminary, Providence, Rhode Island, blessed the habit, veil and cincture with which Cara would be clothed. Mother Barbara Johnson, FSE, Vicar General, assisted Cara in exchanging her postulant tunic for the newly-blessed habit. Upon returning to the chapel, Mother Miriam announced that Cara would be given a religious name expressive of her openness to do God’s will at every step of her formation. Her name is Sister Fiat Marie. “Fiat” was the response of the Virgin Mary to the angel’s message that she had been chosen by God to be the mother of Christ: “Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum – let it be done to me according to your word.” Mother Miriam pointed out that Sister Fiat Marie has shown this capacity of resilience and freedom in response to God’s will, and with the Community’s support, she will continue her formation in the same spirit.

Sister Fiat Marie received blessings from Father Murphy, Mother Shaun Vergauwen, FSE Co-foundress, Mother Barbara and Mother Miriam. The Community sang the Blessing of Saint Francis as their affirmation.

Sister Fiat Marie was raised in Foster, Rhode Island, on a small farm where she enjoyed riding horses, gardening and cooking with her mother. She earned an undergraduate degree in Elementary/Special Education from Rhode Island College and a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Providence College. She taught in public schools in Connecticut, Nevada and Rhode Island. From 2008-2022 she worked at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island in the “Options” special education program. During her years of pre-postulancy and postulancy in Meriden, she taught at St. Bridget of Sweden School in Cheshire, Connecticut.

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