Mandeville Diocese in Jamaica Lauds Service of Assumption Sisters of Nairobi at Profession, Anniversaries Celebrations

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“As Sr. Juliet and the other Sisters celebrate this moment on her pilgrimage, we wish to affirm our appreciation of her willingness to be open to God’s invitation, to be part of His mission, and bring salvation and new life to a world torn apart by selflessness and injustice,” Bishop Persaud said of the native of Kenya’s Embu Catholic Diocese.

The Catholic Church leader underscored the importance of the anniversary celebration in Religious Life, saying, “A jubilee anniversary celebration reminds us of the grace that is needed daily to persevere in this or in any vocation.”

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“We all recognize people who have stood the test of time and cooperated with this grace. They have been tried by the fires of trials and sufferings, cooled by the waters of peace and joy, and hammered and sculptured until the most beautiful forms have begun to take shape,” he added.

Bishop Persaud also urged those who were part of the August 15 celebrations to express joy in the good example of the ASN members’ “perseverance and their fruitfulness that they bring to their communities and the entire church.”

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The Local Ordinary of Mandeville Diocese, who doubles as the Apostolic Administrator of Jamaica’s Montego Bay Diocese and the Catholic Church in West Indies (Antilles) since his appointment in October 2023 said that members of ASN have been serving in his Episcopal See since 2001.

Highlighting the ASN member’s pastoral engagement, he said, “Sr. Juliet is presently serving as head principal of St. Teresa Basic School in Black River, St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica.”

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Bishop Persaud lauded Sr. Juliet on her Silver Jubilee, saying, “May Sr. Juliet persevere in her commitment to love of God and neighbor.”

“On behalf of all the Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Mandeville, we extend to Sr. Juliet congratulations and best wishes on this 25th jubilee of her Profession as Assumption Sister of Nairobi,” Bishop Derek said.

In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of the August 15 celebrations, Sr. Juliet expressed happiness on her Silver Jubilee of Religious Life, saying, “I am happy to be given permission to celebrate my 25 years of Jubilee in the service of the Lord, for service, love, and self-sacrifice.”

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“I am feeling so grateful, happy, and excited to celebrate this day during the Jubilee Year of Hope, the year of the Jubilee,” she said referring to the ongoing Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, and added, “It is a great honor; it is a great milestone.”

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Sr. Juliet, who joined the Congregation of the ASN in 1997 said that the journey had been long and challenging, but “God has been guiding and helping me to be able to respond to the invitation of the Lord, each day of life, saying yes.”

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In the interview with ACI Africa, Sr. Juliet spoke about how challenging her mission in Jamaica is, especially the limited Christian culture, with many people identifying with Rastafarianism.

The Kenyan Sister, who has been serving in Jamaica since 19 August 2016, said that adopting to a new culture needs “a lot of total sacrifice and soul searching.”

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The ASN member also spoke about how she has impacted communities in the Caribbean country as a missionary and a teacher. “We teach children simple prayers to help them embrace Christian values,” she said.

Sr. Juliet highlighted the importance of applying Christian values to young people in Jamaica, saying, “When they come from school, they are able to relate well with the people in the community.”

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In their apostolate, Sr. Juliet went on to say, they do not seek to convert the children from their religion. Instead, she said, “we teach them to be good Christians when they come and good prominent people when they leave the school.”

“Our presence makes a difference, and we pray that more missionaries will emerge in Jamaica to evangelize in Africa as we are going to evangelize in Jamaica,” the ASN member told ACI Africa on August 15.