St. Teresa of Calcutta, Mahanoy City recently served as the sacred backdrop for a momentous milestone in the life of the Church, when the faithful gathered to celebrate the 50th Golden Jubilee of the contemplative branch of the Missionaries of Charity.
The journey of these sisters in our Diocese is a testament to the enduring legacy of St. Teresa of Calcutta. While the contemplative branch was founded five decades ago in the Bronx, N.Y., the mission in Mahanoy City will mark 35 years of presence this Dec. 12.
It was Monsignor Anthony Wassel, then Pastor of St. Joseph (before the church was renamed to St. Teresa of Calcutta), and Bishop Thomas Welsh who originally reached out to Mother Teresa, inviting her sisters to transform a former convent into a sanctuary of perpetual contemplation.
The Jubilee Mass on June 14 was a vibrant tapestry of the Universal Church, celebrated by Bishop Alfred Schlert. Joining him at the altar was a distinguished guest, Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia.
Bishop Schlert praised the Archbishop as a “voice of those suffering” in Ukraine, a nation he serves with “unwavering support” through the Ukrainian Catholic University and his pastoral leadership.
Father Keith Mathur, Chancellor, served as Episcopal Master of Ceremonies. Father Kevin Gallagher, current Pastor of St. Teresa of Calcutta joined Father Leo Maletz, a devoted retired priest, and Father Brian, a Missionary of Charity priest, to concelebrate the Mass.
The liturgy was enriched by the service of Deacon David Henninger, deacon candidate Glenn Mummy, lector Lynn Minalda, organist Mark Wiekrykas, and the choir.
In his homily, Bishop Schlert offered heartfelt gratitude and recognition to Sister María Concepción, regional superior; Sister Raphaelita, convent superior; and Sister Maryanne, a member of the General Council for the contemplative branch.
He reflected on the “saintly presence” that continues to grace the town, recalling a cherished image preserved in the diocesan chancery: a photograph on the steps of this church showing Mother Teresa alongside Monsignor Wassel and Bishop Welsh. “It reminds us,” he said, “that our Diocese has been visited by a contemporary saint whose presence continues to enliven the ministry in Mahanoy City.”
Addressing the essence of the contemplative vocation of the sisters, the Bishop noted that “their presence, like St. Teresa’s before them, reminds us of God’s presence in the tabernacle, on the altar at Mass, and in the life of their prayerfulness.”
He challenged the busy world to find silence. “We need quiet in our lives. Prayer is simply speaking to God and listening to Him. It is often made difficult by the distractions of our busy lives,” he said.
Today, four sisters remain in the Mahanoy City mission, representing the international heartbeat of the order with roots in India, Africa, the Philippines, and Mauritius. Father Gallagher described them as being “full of joy,” walking the streets to visit the “forgotten ones” – the elderly and those confined at home who might otherwise be alone.
Bishop Schlert offered a final tribute to these consecrated women: “Sisters, we hold you in high esteem for your sacrifice and your vocation. You are a powerhouse of prayer for our Diocese. You sustain us by your sacrifice even when we forget God’s love. Thank you for standing as our intercessors before the throne of God.”
As the celebration concluded, the community remained mindful of the physical history within their walls. Every visitor to the church is reminded of June 17, 1995, when St. (then Mother) Teresa herself sat among the pews. Today, a plaque marks that very spot, a silent witness to a saint who saw in this small Pennsylvania town a place worthy of a powerhouse of prayer.
Photos by Waldo Alvarado.
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