“In 2016 I wrote: ‘I’ve reached the 60-year Jubilee mark. It seems impossible. But when I press the recall button, I know it’s true.’ Now fast forward to 2026 and it seems even more incredible that I have been a Sister of Saint Joseph for 70 years,” said Sister Marlena Roeger.

“I began teaching in September of 1958 and continued in the Ministry of Education in various forms for 20 years in the Diocese of Rochester. Then God’s finger touched my heart, and I followed His call to walk with the people of Brazil. Here I continued using my teaching skills with Brazilians of all ages as I prepared Catechists to teach and taught folks from the ages of six through 60 and beyond, always intent on helping people recognize and share their gifts and becoming more secure in themselves. And throughout this whole process I slowly came to ‘be taught’ by the Brazilian people with whom I’ve had the privilege of sharing life for 47 years.

“These have been amazing years of God’s faithfulness, love and joy. And I have been so blessed and enriched by those who have journeyed with me.”