DECATUR — Sisters in Christ, an apostolate of prayers, evangelization and mutual support for women interested in growing in their spiritual lives, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Father Richard Chiola, spiritual director of the Sisters in Christ, celebrated the 4:30 Mass, on Oct. 29, at Holy Family Parish in Decatur, with some 20 past and present Sisters in Christ and some of their family members in attendance. A memorial service for 13 deceased members was held after Mass in the Holy Family Parish Hall, where a catered banquet was served.
Pat Mulvany and Linda Clark, two of its founding members, remain active in the apostolate. Over the years their numbers have ranged from an initial 11 members to as high as 24.
"Two things set the Sisters of Christ apart from other prayer groups," says Father Chiola. "One is they are a prayer group that does intercessory prayer — always for the priests, for the parishes, for individual people who have different needs. The second thing is they have always continued their own formation as Catholic laity, with Bible study, studying what the Teacher states. There is ongoing formation of themselves. That is what made them stable."
They meet each week for an hour and a half at a member's home. They pray, sing, worship, and reflect on the next Sunday's Gospel readings.
On a rainy day in mid-October, seven members turned out for their weekly meeting. Another member was unable to come due to her health.
"In the summer, when school is out, we have more members come, but some are school teachers, and they can't be here. Some are grandmothers, and they might have to babysit," said Mulvany. Health problems can take their toll too on attendance.
"I have worked several places over these years," says Clark. "But I always make it clear, I have to have Wednesdays off."
In 1997, now-Bishop Kevin Vann, their long-time spiritual advisor, helped the women complete the necessary canon law paperwork, in order to receive diocesan recognition as a private association of the faithful. Bishop Daniel L. Ryan signed the official decree recognizing the Sisters in Christ as such an organization on April 30, 1997.