On 16 July 2024, Sr. Elizabeth Teresa of Jesus exclaimed “He and I are elated!” Yes, the celebration of her 70th Jubilee as a Little Sister of the Poor was a celebration of her loving, faith-filled relationship with Jesus (“He and I”) that overflowed to her Family, Community, Residents, Staff, and so many “Forever Friends.” Everyone was included in the elation of the occasion through her abundant expressions of gratitude, like her hand-crafted little “boxes of joy” that she hand-delivered to each one with a hug.
Sr. Elizabeth Teresa, a “Philly Girl,” born and raised in St John the Baptist parish, Manayunk, lived out 34 of her 70 years of Consecration as a Little Sister of the Poor at Holy Family Home in Philadelphia. For four years, she was responsible for the kitchen where she devoted herself to making over one hundred Residents happy with her tasty dishes. For the past thirty years, she has been making the household happy with her artistic taste. Father Doug McKay, the homilist for this occasion, remembered the groups of Residents she led to participate in Arts ‘n Crafts, not just to pass time, but more often to prepare decorations for upcoming feasts and holidays, to honor birthdays, to surround us all with beauty. She is famous for making the “Cappuccino Corner” a beautiful welcoming space. Her Little Sisters still experience Sr. Elizabeth’s thoughtfulness communicated in creative greeting cards, and her musical talent willingly shared as she accompanies liturgies on the organ. They are in awe of her early morning spirituality—at her age–rising long before dawn for prayer and good works, that is, for praying the Office of Readings, putting on wake-up coffee, and doing the convent laundry. Her Little Sisters really appreciated Sr. Elizabeth Teresa, on the eve of her 70th jubilee, opening her heart, telling us the ups and downs of her vocation story for which she is so grateful to God and her family. Sr. Thérèsa Michel, another “Philly Girl,” sat up in her wheelchair and said: “THIS is very interesting!”
A unique aspect of Sr. Elizabeth’s 70th Anniversary of Religious profession was “the trinity of priests” she invited to concelebrate Holy Mass and to share in her Jubilee Joy. Not only were they closely connected with her, they were also closely connected with each other. Long before Divine Providence brought “Sr. Elizabeth’s trinity of priests” together at Holy Family Home, they had become good friends while studying at Saint Charles Borromeo seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. When their paths took different ways, these three classmates stayed close in the Lord and in regular get-togethers.
Fr Vincent Guest, Sister’s cousin, was a frequent visitor to Holy Family Home over the years, before starting to study for the priesthood. He began at St Charles Seminary but would leave to pursue a career in law. When Father McKay was pioneering at “Our House Ministry” for recovering drug addicts, Vinny was a valuable asset to his advisory board with his legal expertise. Vinny also worked under Pennsylvania governor, Robert Casey, and would later help the archdiocese of Camden in immigration law. His call to holy priesthood was eventually renewed, and he was ordained for the Diocese of Camden, NJ. Leaving his law practice behind, Father Guest took time to study Spanish in Mexico and now is pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Camden, which includes a sizeable Hispanic community.
Fr. Douglas McKay was ordained for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia 40 years ago. He served the deaf community for five years before ministering to the extended family of the Little Sisters of the Poor for 21 years. As homilist for her Jubilee Mass, he recounted how he shared so much with “Sr. ET.” They were kindred spirits in their pastoral zeal and love of the Liturgy. While Chaplain at Holy Family Home, Father McKay authored two books: HEAVEN’S HOMECOMING in which he tells of all he received from accompanying our Residents (including Sr. Elizabeth’s Mother) on their journey home to God, and MY ANNOINTING ECHOES, his vocation story. In 2014, he was assigned by Cardinal Rigali to serve the addicted and recovering as Chaplain of “Our House Ministry.” In 2023, Archbishop Nelson Perez appointed Father McKay Director of Malvern Retreat House. He currently spends time between both ministries. In 2023 Pope Francis commissioned him as a Missionary of Mercy. He has been a guest on EWTN ‘S Sunday Night Live with Father Benedict Groeschel, and is a frequent guest on Relevent Radio. He also co-hosts a weekly radio show, “Saints and Sinners.” In spite of his busy schedule, he still takes time with his two former classmate friends, Father Vinny and Father Pete, and readily returns when invited to celebrate Holy Mass at Holy Family Home. He never forgets to call Sr. Elizabeth on the anniversary of her Mom’s death.
Fr. Peter Welsh has been a long-time faithful friend of Holy Family Home. With Father Doug, he graduated from St Charles Seminary and was ordained for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He studied in Rome and earned the Licentiate in Sacred Theology. He has served in many parishes throughout the Archdiocese. He studied Spanish to be able to minister to the Hispanic communities. While on the faulty at St. Charles Seminary, Father Welsh was Director of the seminarians’ Spiritual year. He is now on the pastoral team of the Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul and also serves as Confessor to the Little Sisters of the Poor at Holy Family Home and the Missionaries of Charity in Chester, PA.
The presence of “Sr. Elizabeth’s trinity of priests” to concelebrate Holy Mass and share in “her day” certainly added wit and wisdom to the heartfelt gratitude of her Little Sisters. The 70th Jubilee of Sr. Elizabeth Teresa of Jesus was indeed what it should be: a hymn of thanksgiving to God for gift of her consecration.
