NEW YORK—The Sisters of Life, a contemplative-active religious community founded in 1991 by John Cardinal O’Connor, Archbishop of New York, and dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of human life, is pleased to announce that the following Sisters of Life professed their perpetual vows on August 5 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, with His Eminence Cardinal Timonthy Dolan as the main celebrant and homilist:
Sister Mary Pieta, S.V., 38, was raised in Fargo, N.D. and attended the Parish of SS. Anne and Joachim. Sister Mary Pieta earned a bachelor’s degree in speech, language and hearing science at Minnesota State University-Moorhead. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, she served as a FOCUS missionary, sharing the Catholic faith with college students. Sister Mary Pieta is the daughter of Deacon Patrick and Brenda Breen. She has six siblings: Jim (and wife Laura), Aaron (and wife Sarah), Josie, Sam (and wife Sarah), Madeline (and husband Jackson), and Miriam.
Sr. Mary Pieta has participated in the retreat works of Villa Maria Guadalupe (Stamford) from 2014 to 2016 and again from 2019 to 2023. From 2016 to 2019 she was missioned to the Holy Respite in Manhattan for pregnant women and their unborn children. This coming year, she will serve in the Visitation Mission in N.Y., which explores life-giving options and provides resources and practical support to women experiencing unexpected pregnancies or adverse prenatal diagnoses.
Sister Mercy Marie, S.V., 41, was raised in South Wilmington, Ill., and attended St. Lawrence Catholic Church. She graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration: Marketing. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life in September 2014, she was the director of programs at a Catholic education program for women, Endow (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women). She is the daughter of Drew Sweeney and Mary Elizabeth Sweeney and has two brothers and two sisters: Dan (wife: Becky), Brigid (husband: Seth), Mackenzie, and Connor.
After she professed her first vows, Sister Mercy Marie helped to open the Sisters of Life mission in Philadelphia, Pa., to evangelize and support women who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy. From the Fall of 2018 to 2023, she has participated in the mission of inviting women to step into the mercy of Jesus Christ after an abortion at the St. Paul the Apostle Convent in Yonkers, N.Y. In late August she will participate in the retreat works of Villa Maria Guadalupe in Stamford.
Sister Mary Grace, S.V., 33, was raised in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and first met the Sisters of Life through World Youth Day 2008. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia with a bachelor’s degree in theology. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, Sister Mary Grace worked as the Chaplaincy Convenor for the University of Notre Dame Australia, organized events for young adults in the Archdiocese of Sydney, and participated in the parish of St. Benedicts Parish, Broadway, NSW. She is the daughter of Mark and Mary Langrell of Queenscliff, NSW; her siblings are Patrick, Lauren (entered eternal life 2014), and Thomas.
Sister Mary Grace was missioned to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, from 2018 to 2021. In the Fall of 2021 she was assigned to the Evangelization works of the Sisters of Life, first as an assistant, and then as the Mission Coordinator. This coming year she will be part of a team of Evangelization and Retreats based in Denver, Colo.
Sister Fidelity Grace, S.V., 33, was raised in Oakdale, Minn., and attended the Church of St. Peter in North Paul, Minn. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., with a bachelor’s degree in Catholic Studies and Secondary Education. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life in September 2015, Sister Fidelity Grace was a Middle and High School Religion Teacher in Chippewa Falls, Wisc. She is the daughter of Ken and Mary Ann Thelen; her siblings are Christine Goerke (husband John) and Sarah Shutte (husband Peter).
Sister Fidelity Grace served in the Generalate Offices of the Sisters of Life from 2018 to 2021. In 2021, she served at Villa Maria Guadalupe and then was assigned to St. Anthony’s Convent in Catskill, N.Y., where she served the community with evangelization and retreat works. This coming year, she will assist at the Holy Respite for women and their children, born and unborn.
Sister Zélie Maria Louis, S.V., 31, was raised in Waterloo, Iowa, and attended Sacred Heart Parish and School, and Columbus Catholic High School. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., with a bachelor’s degree in Catholic Studies and Political Science, and a minor in Philosophy. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, Sister Zélie Maria Louis was working in Human Resources at Assessment Associates International in Wayzata, Minn. She is the daughter of Steven and Jana Schmitt and a triplet. Her siblings are: Lauren (Nathan), Michael, Emily Nolting (Matt), Steven (Jessica), and Andrew.
Sister Zélie was missioned to the Visitation Mission of services to pregnant women from 2018 to 2022, serving as the Assistant to the Local Superior in her last two years. In the late summer of 2022, she accepted a new mission to pregnant women at the Holy Respite of the Sisters of Life in Manhattan.
Sister Ann Immaculée, S.V, 30, was raised in Owatonna, Minn., and attended Sacred Heart Parish there. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, Sister Ann Immaculée studied Philosophy, Catholic Studies and Business at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minn., and received a liberal arts degree in 2015. She is the daughter of Joseph and Sharon Stiles and has five siblings: Lorena (husband Eric) Dillon, Ezra (wife Karen), Annemarie (husband Mitchel) Milless, Father James Stiles, and Monica (husband Alex) Marchetti.
Sister Ann Immaculée was part of the Vocations Team of the Sisters of Life from 2018 to 2022. In 2022, she accepted an assignment upholding the retreat works of Villa Maria Guadalupe in Stamford. This coming year, she will join the mission of Evangelization and Retreats in Denver, Colo.
Sister Catherine Joy Marie, S.V., 30, was raised in Stamford, and attended St. Cecilia and Holy Spirit Parishes. She graduated from Providence College in Rhode Island with a bachelor’s degree in Theology and a concentration in Biology prior to entering the Sisters of Life. She is the daughter of Frank and Megan Janik of Ridgefield, and is the oldest of five daughters: Carolyn, Katherine, Rachel, and Madelyn.
Sister Catherine Joy Marie was missioned to Toronto, Canada, from 2018 to 2021 where she served vulnerable, pregnant women seeking help, young adults desiring to know God’s plan for life and love, those suffering after abortion and searching for hope and healing, and all open to an encounter with the living God through hosted retreats. In the Fall of 2021, she returned to the Motherhouse to work as an assistant in the Mission Support Office where she shares in the mission of gratitude on behalf of the community. This coming year, she will join the mission of Evangelization and Retreats in Denver, Colo.
In addition, Sister Gaudia Maria Magdalena, 32, will profess her perpetual vows as a Sister of Life on Saturday, August 26th, at the Cathedral of St. Michael, Toronto, Ontario. Archbishop Francis Leo will be the main celebrant and homilist at the Mass of Profession. Sister Gaudia Maria Magdalena was raised in the Archdiocese of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and attended St. Hyacinth Parish/ Parafia Św. Jacka. She graduated from the University of Ottawa with a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, Sister Gaudia Maria Magdalena provided social work and then spent a year of Faith Formation at St. Therese School in Bruno, SK. She is the daughter of Robert and Stefania Matuszewski/Matuszewska of Orleans, ON; her siblings are Robert and Stefania.
Sister Gaudia spent her first three years as a professed sister as an assistant at the Postulant Formation House of the Sisters of Life in the Bronx (2018-2021). In 2021, she was missioned to Toronto, Canada to serve vulnerable, pregnant women seeking help, young adults desiring to know God’s plan for life and love, those suffering after abortion and searching for hope and healing, and all open to an encounter with the living God.
