LIVONIA, MICH. – More than 50 employees from Madonna University and the other Felician Ministries in Livonia held a musical prayer vigil on the Feast of St. Felix of Cantalice, May 18, 2020, to celebrate the lives of the 12 Felician Sisters who passed away recently. The blending of voices in musical prayer also served to lift the spirits of the beloved Sisters at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Central Convent, who have been quarantined during Governor Whitmer’s stay home, stay safe order.
Blessings to all who attended in person or on the Facebook Live event, and all those who helped make it a very touching and joyful vigil service, including Diane McDonald, director of mission integration and spiritual care at Marywood Nursing Care Center, who suggested the idea, and Jackie King, therapeutic recreation specialist at Marywood, who led the singing with her beautiful voice.
The rain held off for most of the vigil, but when it rained for just a bit, Sr. Mary Ann Smith commented on Facebook, “God is sending His blessings upon all for your love and support of His Felician Sisters.”
The following Madonna University staff helped organize the vigil: Connie Tingson-Gatuz, Claire Ofiara, Sr. Nancy Marie Jamroz, Jennifer Kennedy, Christopher Nickin, Paula Fournier, Sue Boyd, Dan Boyd, Emma Kent, and Karen Sanborn.
Faculty and staff from Madonna’s broadcast and cinema arts program videotaped the vigil so that those Sisters unable to participate could watch it below:
Sister Nancy Marie Jamroz shared this message of gratitude, "How can we ever thank you all, for that special, precious moment that we’ll remember forever... And as I stood there in the window, I asked God to bless all who joined us and double bless all who helped make it happen! I also felt ALL the Sisters who have lived here and ministered here were Up There telling God to watch over you and your loved ones as preciously as you took care to prayer-sing your message of love and support!"
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