The Sisters of Mercy Northeast Community recently celebrated the jubilees of four sisters in Vermont who, collectively, have provided 265 years of service to the Green Mountain State. A special liturgy was celebrated at the Mount St. Mary Convent chapel, followed by a luncheon.

Vermont’s jubilarians have served in schools and parishes, hospitals, nursing homes, social service agencies and food pantries throughout the state.

Currently, they work, volunteer, pray for people in need and advocate for social justice. Their advocacy work includes participating in rallies and vigils, working for change on behalf of women, the climate and immigrants and seeking an end to racism and violence.

Sisters of Mercy celebrating jubilees were: Sisters Cecile Bouchard and Barbara Gregoire, 70 years; Sister Joanne Lafreniere, 65 years; and Sister Elizabeth Driscoll, 60 years.

These sisters are part of a larger jubilarian celebration in the Northeast Community, where 78 sisters with more than 5,300 total years of service are being recognized in a yearlong celebration.

About the Sisters of Mercy

In Vermont, the Sisters of Mercy sponsor Mater Christi School and Mercy Connections in Burlington and Mercy Farm in Benson. Sisters in the state have long been active in education and social justice.

The Sisters of Mercy — an international community of Roman Catholic women —dedicate their lives to God through vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and service. For more than 180 years, motivated by the Gospel of Jesus and inspired by the spirit of their founder Catherine McAuley, the Sisters of Mercy have responded to the continually changing needs of the times.

Through prayer and service, the sisters address the causes and effects of violence, racism, degradation of Earth and injustice to women and immigrants. The sisters sponsor and serve in more than 200 organizations that work with those in need in the United States, Central and South America, Jamaica, Guam and the Philippines.

For more information, go to sistersofmercy.org.