By Paula Day

Several trends stand out in the mind of Sister Mary Georgette Casavecchia, MSC, as she views changes in the Church from her perspective of 25 years as a professed Religious.

The Missionary Sister of the Most Sacred Heart cites lack of vocations, increase in the numbers of those coming into the Church, and heightened lay involvement in ministries within the Church as significant changes.

“The Church is suffering from a lack of vocations,” she pointed out, and this comes at a time when “people turn more and more to it for the support that was once available in strong family settings.”

“People need the Church and the Church needs vocations to meet the needs of these people,” she said.

She noted the increase in candidates and catechumens seeking membership in the Catholic Church, saying the numbers are not as evident in the South “because the Catholic population is in the minority here to begin with,” but that the increase is quite apparent in the North.

“Another thing I’ve seen is the way the Church is utilizing lay people more and more. It’s doing a great job there.”

Sister Mary Georgette has been assigned to St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens for the past five years where she works as a licensed practical nurse. In a voice bursting with energy, the silver jubilarian described her own life as a Religious as busy and full.

“I’ve had a variety of different jobs. First I helped in our own infirmary for six years. Then I worked in a home for children from broken families for three years.”

Later assignments included visiting shut-ins in their homes and working in a nursing home for the elderly for seven years. “I thought I’d die when I was assigned there,” she recalled, “but I really got to love it.” She said she had a preconceived notion that people in nursing homes were “half dead.”

“But they were alive. You can learn a lot from the elderly in a 65-bed facility. There’ a lot of history there.”

After her graduation from high school, the Conshohochen, Pa., native trained to become an LPN at Sacred Heart Hospital in Norristown, Pa. The example of the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart who staffed the hospital led her to enter that Religious congregation.

“The way they interacted with others, the love and kindness they showed and the way they talked to others really impressed me,” she recalled.

“I had been praying, ‘Lord, tell me what you want me to do. Show me the way.’ You know how mixed up teenagers can get,” she added, explaining her plea for divine direction.

The Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart, whose general headquarters are in Rome, Italy, came to the United States from Germany in 1908. The motherhouse for approximately 350 sisters of the U.S. province is in Reading, Pa. A statement explaining the congregation’s charism says: “Being graced by the love of Christ, we the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart are called to respond to His love and make it present to everyone.”

Making this love present has taken a variety of forms since the Vatican II. Before the Council, the sisters were involved in teaching or nursing. Now their ministries also include social work, religious education and working with prisoners.

As with many Religious congregation, there has been a change in dress. Wearing a veil is now optional, according to Sister Georgette.

Before Vatican II the Missionary Sisters did not have the right to comment on where they were sent to work, but in the last 10 to 15 years they may decline an assignment. Sister Georgette says she has found peace in doing what she has been asked, even if it “has not always been easy.”

“I never asked for a change,” she said, “and I never had a chance to get bored.”

“Just do the Lord’s work and He’ll take care of you,” she added philosophically.

Sister Georgette’s father recently suffered a stroke and she spent some time with him in Conshohochen. Her mother died when she was 13 and her father later remarried. An older brother, his wife, and children complete her immediate family.

Her Religious family held a community celebration at the motherhouse May 7. Sister Georgette joined 10 other jubilarians, one celebrating 70 years of religious profession. She was the only silver jubilarian out of an original class of 11.

“Don’t ask me why,” she said of her uniqueness, adding that she firmly believes the sacrifices and prayers of her family had something to do with her being graced to persevere in her vocation for 25 years.

On May 13 a reception was held at St. Mary’s Convent for Sister Geogette’s friends and co-workers. On May 27, Father John Fallon, pastor of St. Joseph’s parish in Athens, will offer a Mass in thanksgiving for her years of service in the Church. The sisters in her local community and the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who teach in the parish school, will join in celebration of her 25 years’ commitment “responding to His love and making it present to everyone.”