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Friday evenings are for community gatherings. The Sisters come together to relax and visit, watch a movie, play cards or games, and enjoy special refreshments. On the evening of October 2nd, a Jubilee Celebration was held in honor of Sister Mary Agnes Kallus, OSB, and Sister Gilbert Tuma, OSB on the 65th anniversary of their of monastic profession. Jubilees are important times at Sacred Heart Monastery.The Sisters look back over the lives of the special celebrants and reflect on the part each has played in the life of the monastery. It is a time of special thanksgiving, and of looking ahead to what new blessings might come to their lives.

Sister Mary Agnes returned home to the monastery in September of this year after living at Ss.Cyril & Methodius Parish in Joliet since 1970. An educator for her entire career, Sister Mary Agnes served at St. Joseph Orphanage and St. Joan of Arc in Lisle, and schools in Texas and Ohio before moving to Joliet. She began as a teacher at St.Bernard and Ss. Cyril & Methodius, and moved to St. Joseph’s School in 1980. She was the fourth grade teacher at St. Joseph’s until her retirement. In some cases, she taught two generations in a family. In addition, Sister Mary Agnes ministered to the parishioners at Ss. Cyril & Methodius on weekends as the Religious Education Coordinator. She helped to prepare students for First Eucharist and confirmation, served as Sacristan and Eucharistic minister in the Church, and brought Communion to the homebound. Sister was an active member of the parish, working hard to ensure success and fun at events. She took a special interest in providing clothing and food to those in need in Joliet. Sister Mary Agnes is one of five Kallus Sisters (Sisters Andrea, Josephine, Virginia and the late, Angelica) from La Grange, Texas, who are members of the community. Duties at the monastery will keep Sister Mary Agnes busy in her retirement. She will be preparing rooms and welcoming guests to the monastery, and visiting with the residents of Benedale Center and the Villa Center. She hopes to be able to do some tutoring or substitute teaching in the future.

Sister Gilbert has given piano and violin lessons to over 1,000 music students during her long career. Since her first kindergarten class at St. Vitus in Chicago, Sister has included music, dance and drama in her curriculum. She served as an elementary teacher in classrooms in Illinois, Texas and Wisconsin before returning to Sacred Heart and establishing the Music Studio in the monastery basement. When the Studio was closed because of the monastery renovations, Sister Gilbert began to travel to private homes to provide piano and violin lessons. Sister’s students include not only young children, but often their parents, who are also interested in a musical education. Three times a day, Sister Gilbert can be found taking care of the Sisters’ dining room. Her responsibilities include gathering the food after meals, getting the dishes to and from the dish room, and ordering supplies for the servery and dining room. Sister Gilbert is known for her decoration of the dining room. Sister has a never-ending supply of flowers, candles and other centerpieces for the tables, as well as seasonal displays for the sideboard and windowsills. Eight times a year, the Development Office counts on her help with our mailings. Applying address labels (and keeping everything in proper order) are her specialty. She comes early and stays until all the work is complete. Please join us in celebrating Sister Mary Agnes’ and Sister Gilbert’s Jubilee Year.

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