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Seven Sisters Celebrate Jubilees
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Seven Sisters of the Presentation, representing 360 years of service to God and God’s people, were honored in a special Jubilee celebration held at Presentation High School, San Jose, on April 27th.
All seven Sisters are celebrating Jubilees from their entrance into the Sisters of the Presentation. Family, friends, Sisters, and Associates joined their celebration.
Celebrating a Jubilee of Grace from entrance on July 3, 1955, are Sisters Ellen Cafferty, PBVM, and Sister Bernice Gotelli, PBVM.
Celebrating a Diamond Jubilee from their entrance date of September 1, 1965, are Sisters Maria Griego, PBVM, Sister Gloria Loya, PBVM, and Sister Darlene Terry, PBVM.
Celebrating a Golden Jubilee is Sister Pam Chiesa, PBVM, who entered on August 30, 1975, and Sister Kathleen Sickly, PBVM, who entered on September 7, 1975.
In keeping with the Jubilee of Hope Year declared by Pope Francis, the Sisters chose the theme of Pilgrims of Hope for their jubilee liturgy, which was celebrated by Father John Whitney, SJ. A lunch for guests followed in the high school's Student Center.
In keeping with the Presentation tradition, all of these Sisters spent ministry years as
educators, either at the elementary or high school level. Some went on to other ministries. For a more complete view of these Sisters’ lives and ministries, please visit Meet Our Sisters on our website at presentationsisterssf.org.
The Jubilarians were recently asked to reflect on their lives as Presentation Sisters over the years.
Sister Ellen Cafferty, PBVM, began her ministry as an elementary school teacher. Answering the call for missionaries, she spent twenty-one years ministering to the Tzeltal people in Ocosingo, Chiapas, Mexico. Sister Ellen returned to San Francisco for a brief period during which she ministered at San Francisco Network Ministries in the late 1980s. Sister Ellen returned to missionary ministry in Guatemala, serving there for twenty-five years. Noting that “all my ministries have been meaningful, I think the years I lived and worked with the Tzeltal people have been the most meaningful. My ministry with them reflects the words of Nano Nagle, ‘Love one another’ and ‘Spend yourselves for the poor.’” When asked for one word she could say to others about what being a Sister has meant to her, Sister Ellen replied, “wonderful, a privilege.”
Sister Benice Gotelli, PBVM, after twenty-plus years as an elementary school teacher and parish sister, was certified as a hospital chaplain by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. Her ministry as a hospital chaplain was primarily at Children’s Hospital in Oakland, where she ministered to the families of critically ill and dying children for twenty-seven years. When asked what surprised her about being a Sister of the Presentation over the last seventy years, Sister Bernie responded, “I am surprised and grateful at how my congregation has changed in responding to the various needs of today rather than holding onto outmoded structures. Our charism is the same; our manner of living it changes and grows in new circumstances.” Her words to others about what being a Sisters means to her: “Called to reflect God’s love.”
Sister Maria Griego, PBVM, met the Presentation Sisters in her elementary school in
Pecos, New Mexico. Fittingly, Sister Maria began teaching at her own elementary school, then ministered at other elementary schools for forty-five years. When asked about her ministry years, she said, “My teaching kindergarten at Saint John Vianney School in San Jose for nine years was a special time. I was fortunate to work in an environment that not only gave me support and challenges, but also allowed me to share my gifts with students and their parents.” When asked about a surprise of her years as Sister, Sister Maria noted, “Currently, I am surprised about the reality that we are facing in our community, with an older and smaller group of Sisters. Living with transitions and facing the unknown is a new challenge in my life. I pray for the grace and trust that the Lord is guiding our Journey.”
Sister Gloria Loya, PBVM, spent many years in education as a high school teacher and at the university level. Sister Gloria served as the director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of San Jose in the early 1980s and more recently as Vicar for Religious in the Diocese of Monterey, serving in that position from 2014 to 2022. Currently, she is providing retreats and other spiritual experiences for students and adults. Reflecting on her ministry experiences, Sister Gloria noted, “What is constant and essential is what Saint Ignatius calls contemplation in action. Serving in our world would be impossible without time for silence, reflection, and contemplation, as well as time for community and friends.”
Sister Darlene Terry, PBVM, served in elementary education as a teacher and a principal for twenty years in Presentation Sister staffed schools in San Jose, Morgan Hill, and Montebello. Following these years, Sister Darlene moved into parish ministry, coordinating Confirmation, youth, and marriage programs. She earned an M.S. in Counseling Psychology to further serve the people she was working with in parishes. From 2011 to 2016, she served in internal ministry for the congregation. Sister Darlene found her most meaningful ministry through her counseling as it “gave me the opportunity to help people understand their problems and I was able to provide help them find ways to overcome their problems.”
Sister Pam Chiesa, PBVM, began her ministry as a high school teacher at both Presentation High School, San Jose, and Presentation High School, San Francisco. Sister Pam’s ministries since high school education have focused on administration and leadership, especially in Congregational leadership, where she served for six years as President and is currently serving on her fourth Council. A surprise for her as a Sister was “meeting Presentation Sisters from other parts of the world and discovering that we are so similar in theology, spirituality, and personality – we all have a great sense of humor!” Reflecting on what being a Sister means to her, she said, “Community. We can always accomplish more together than we can alone.”
Sister Kathleen Sickly, PBVM, met the Sisters of the Presentation when she began teaching at Nativity School. She continued in elementary education from 1978 to 1984. Sister Kathleen then pursued training as a Hospital and Hospice Chaplain and served at Saint Mary’s Hospital from 1985 to 1999. She served as Formation Director for three years following her hospital ministry and currently serves in a pastoral role for her Sisters. Reflecting on her ministries, Sister Kathleen said, “If I have to choose the most meaningful ministry, it would be the experience of serving in hospital and hospice chaplaincy. In these experiences, it was a privilege to listen to the life stories of people and their families, and to offer support and prayerful presence with patients and loved ones alike.” When asked about surprises about being a Sister, Sister Kathleen said, “I am thankful for the educational, ministerial, and travel opportunities that have come with being a Sister.”
All who attended the Jubilee day agreed that it was truly a day of jubilation and gratitude.