On Good Shepherd Sunday, May 11, Monsignor Joseph P. LaMorte, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of New York, celebrated a special Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in honor of those celebrating at least 50 years or more of service to the Church.

Those in attendance being honored represented organizations including the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic, Sisters of Presentation of Blessed Virgin Mary, Carmelite Sisters for the Aged & Infirm, Congregation of Notre Dame, Sisters of Charity of New York, Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Springs, Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, Missionaries of Charity, and the Society of the Sacred Heart.

Sr. Mary Aulso, MM of the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic, celebrated 80 years of religious profession. It was also the 150th anniversary of the Sisters of Presentation of Blessed Virgin Mary carrying the lantern of Good Shepherd’s love in New York, making this an incredibly special and blessed day.

The Sisters of Presentation of Blessed Virgin Mary were originally founded in 1775 in Cork, Ireland, by Nano Nagle, and in 1874, Mother Joseph Hickey and 11 other Presentation Sisters left Ireland and came to New York to open St. Michael School in Manhattan, where 600 children were enrolled in the inaugural class. Today, the sisters continue to serve those most in need.