Rejoice with us! On Sunday, January 8, Malgorzata Majewska became our Sister Mary Frances. A native of Poland, Sister Mary Frances has lived and worked in the United States since the mid-1990's. Business has required her to live also in England, Mexico, Spain, Brazil and Italy.

Three of our new novices were among the sisters welcomed to the diocese by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde with evening prayer and a dinner at the St. Thomas More Center in Arlington.

Standing with Bishop Loverde and Fr. Frank Ready, vicar general for pastoral services, are (front row, from left) Dominican S. Mary Grace Watson, Benedictine S. Shirley Arce, Our Lady of LaSalette S. Theresa Hkawan Htoi Kareng, Daughter of St. Paul S. Maria Grace Dateno, Dominican S. Christiana Mickwee; and (back row) Benedictine S. Joanna Burley, Dominican S. Amata Christi Lippert, Benedictine S. Andrea Westkamp and Immaculate Heart of Mary S. Tracey Catherine Uphoff.

(Catholic Herald, Arlington, VA 9/29/11)

On June 24th, Sister Cecilia Dwyer was installed as prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia...her sixth term!

In a private ceremony (our custom if the prioress is continuing service) we asked God to bless her with wisdom, strength and every grace needed to be Christ in our midst. Elected for the first time in 1987, Sister Cecilia served three consecutive four-year terms. Then, ineligible canonically after 12 years in office, she enjoyed a sabbatical year at St. John's School of Theology & Seminary and then served three years as Vocation Director until her reelection in 2003.

Please join us in thanking God for the gift of Sister Cecilia's leadership and her willingness to serve time and time again.

The new monastic council (sisters elected and appointed to advise and support the prioress) was blessed after the installation rite. Council members beginning service are Sister Lisbeth Cruz, Sister Andrea Verchuck, Sister Veronica Joyner, Sister Vicki Ix and Sister Glenna Smith.

Sister Charlotte Lange was honored by Commonwealth Catholic Charities along with four other individuals and organizations for her lifetime of community service work. She was was also cited for her 23-years as principal of Saint Gertrude High School in Richmond.

Sister Charlotte is back at work at Bon Secours in Richmond where she ministers to patients with counseling and spiritual support.

Sister Cecilia Dwyer, OSB, has been re-elected by the Chapter for another four-year term as prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia. Sister Susan Quaintance, OSB, of St. Scholastica Monastery, Chicago, IL, and Sister Roberta Campbell, OSB, of Saint Benedict Monastery, Pittsburgh, PA, facilitated the election. Sister Lynn Marie McKenzie, OSB, First Councilor of the Federation of St. Scholastica, presided and witnessed the canonical election.

Sister Cecilia served as prioress from 1987-1999 and then again from 2003-present. Her sixth term in office will begin in June, 2011. The community is overwhelmed with joy and is grateful for Sister's willingness to serve again as our prioress.