Month: January 2017

Sister Catherine Kirwan-Avila made her first profession as a Handmaid of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Saturday, January 14, in Wyncote, PA. The Mass was celebrated by Jesuit Father Daniel Joyce of St. Joseph University in Philadelphia. Deacon Kevin McCarthy of the Diocese of Springfield, MA served at the Mass and proclaimed the Gospel. Deacon McCarthy taught Sister Catherine when she was in the 11th grade at Cathedral High School in Springfield. Along with the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also attending were many people from western Massachusetts, including several high school classmates and many family members….

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A jubilant group of Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus received an unexpected guest at the house of XX Settember in Rome on January 2. Without notice, Pope Francis surprised the sisters and indicated that his intention was prompted by a desire to pray at the shrine of St. Raphaela Mary, to whom he is said to be deeply devoted. The sisters, many from the Province of Italy, the Sisters of the Preparatory Commission, the Sisters of Torricella, and the General Curia were obviously overjoyed by the Pope’s impromptu visit, and welcomed him with deep emotion. By chance, one…

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