“I entered the Congregation on September 8, 1955. Life-long members of St. Ambrose Parish, my parents John and Bernadette instilled the faith in each of us,” said Sister Mary Louise Heffernan, formerly Sister Jean Baptiste. “I knew the Sisters of Saint Joseph all my life.

“Teaching at Blessed Sacrament was my first ministry. I thought teaching would be my ministry for life. Within a few years of teaching, I was appointed principal of St. Lawrence School, a new school opening in Greece in 1963. St. Theodore’s in Gates was my next home. While at St. Theodore’s I felt called to pastoral ministry and became pastoral associate at St. Ambrose and later at St. Joseph’s, Penfield.

“During the past 35 years, and presently, spirituality ministry is where I am called. Each ministry has been life giving and enlivened my life as a Sister of Saint Joseph. ‘Grace is holy energy …’ (Bernard Lonergan, SJ) and I believe it is this that continues to give me the love and serve the dear neighbor wherever I am called.

“It is with great joy and thanksgiving that I celebrate this Jubilee year and give thanks to all those who have graced my life with love and joy.”