Sister M. Rachael Elizabeth Wilson, I.H.M. of the Diocese of Allentown has professed perpetual vows as a Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Bishop Alfred Schlert presided and delivered the homily July 27 during the Rite of Perpetual Profession of Vows within a Mass at Sacred Heart Chapel at the IHM Motherhouse, Villa Maria House of Studies in Malvern.
Sister Rachael publicly professed her vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience to God in the service of the Catholic Church. Sister Mary Ellen Tennity, I.H.M., General Superior, received her vows in the name of the Church for the congregation. Afterward, Sister Rachael signed her vow card and received her newly engraved ring signifying her vowed commitment.
Sister Rachael is the daughter of David and Heidi Wilson of St. Mary Parish, Kutztown. She is a graduate of Fleetwood Area High School and West Chester University, where she earned a degree in early childhood education. She currently participates in the life and mission of the IHM congregation as a second-grade teacher at Queen of Angels Regional School, Willow Grove.
The profession concluded a weekend filled with three celebrations of religious joy and the gift of new life. On July 25, Samantha Scharf of Philadelphia was received into the congregation as a novice in the Rite of Initiation into Religious Life. On July 26, Sister M. Megan Elizabeth Capurso of Shrub Oak, N.Y. professed first vows within the Rite of First Religious Profession.
The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of the Immaculata branch of the congregation comprise approximately 500 sisters who staff Catholic schools, parishes, and outreach programs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Florida, Virginia, and the South American country of Peru.
The charism of the sisters is Love, which continues to manifest itself in the sisters’ joyful service of God and His people; Creative Hope, which puts all its confidence in God’s loving Providence; and Fidelity, which inspires fervor in their vocation in Christ and in their mission in the Church.
For more information, go to www.ihmimmaculata.org.
Photo: Sister M. Rachael Elizabeth Wilson, front center, celebrates her profession of vows with, from left: front, Sister Monica Sicilia, I.H.M., Sister Mary Ellen Tennity, I.H.M., and Bishop Alfred Schlert; back, Sister Francis Mary Murray, I.H.M., Sister Mary Sue Carwile, I.H.M., Sister Donna Shallo, I.H.M., Sister Francis Michael Finsterbusch, I.H.M., and Sister Kathleen Schipani, I.H.M.
By Diocesan Staff.
