FALLS CHURCH, VA (05-16-2022) – Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist of the Falls Church center attended the commencement for nearly 1,500 students at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D. C. on Saturday, May 14. The ceremony was held outdoors on University Lawn, and was the first on-campus commencement since 2019. The Sisters honored Sister Grace Marie Horan, FSE who received a Doctor of Ministry degree at the event. See related story.
In the photo, Sister Grace Marie proudly holds her diploma. She is joined by (from left) Sister Marie Benedict Elliott, FSE, currently a student at The Catholic University of America; Sister Lucia Treanor, FSE, a Lecturer in the English Department at the University, and Sister Mary Kolbe Heffern, FSE.
Sister Grace Marie follows Sister Damien Marie Savino, FSE who earned a doctoral degree in civil engineering from the University a few years ago. Her dissertation focused on the social implications of an eco-restoration project of the Anacostia River watershed. Mother Rosemae Pender, FSE, Mother Foundress of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, received the degree of Master of Art in English in the 1950’s prior to her founding of the FSE Community. At present, two other Franciscan Sisters are enrolled in distance programs at the University.
Sister Grace Marie (center) is flanked by Reverend Monsignor Michael Clay, D. Min, Sister’s Treatise Director, and Dr. Jemima A. Rosario Sullivan, Ph.D. who was a reader in Sister’s treatise defense.