MERIDEN, CT (08-06-2023) – Sister Jeanne d’Arc Paquette professed perpetual vows during Mass on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord in the Chapel of St. John in the presence of clergy, family, friends and her Community of Franciscan Sisters and Brothers. Mother Miriam Seiferman, FSE, Mother General, received Sister’s vows and welcomed her as a fully professed member of the Community. Celebrant for the solemn occasion was the Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, Archbishop of Hartford, whose homily highlighted the glorious experience of Christ’s apostles as He was transfigured before them. The Archbishop spoke about the call of consecrated women and men to witness to the glorious life of faith in the Church and in the world.
Following her profession of vows, Sister Jeanne d’Arc received blessings from Mother Miriam, Mother Barbara Johnson, Vicar General, and Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Co-foundress. Archbishop Blair bestowed the blessing of the Church on the newly professed Sister and the ring symbolizing her life commitment to Christ and the Church through the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.
Sister Jeanne d’Arc’s parents, Michael and Patricia Paquette of Fredericksburg, Virginia, presented their daughter to the Community at the beginning of Mass. Her siblings, Adrienne, twin sister Anne Marie, Joseph and Grace and their families were also present. Patricia Paquette and Chaela Franck, on flute and harp respectively, filled the chapel with the musical beauty of Ave Maria as a communion meditation.
Reverend Jeffrey Romans, pastor of St. Bridget of Sweden Parish, Cheshire, and Reverend Raymond Borkowski, OFM, Conv. of St. Paul Parish, Kensington, concelebrated. Deacon Donald Philip assisted. Reverend Michael Ruminski was the master of ceremonies.
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