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MERIDEN, CT (09-16-2006) - A crowd of almost 500 people gathered at St. Joseph Church, Meriden, on September 16th to celebrate with Mother Shaun Vergauwen, FSE, Mother General, her 50 years of consecrated life. The Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford, was the principal celebrant for the festive Mass of jubilee. He was joined by 32 priests as concelebrants. Franciscan Sisters and Brothers of the Eucharist and members of Mother Shaun's family formed a procession with the priests and Archbishop as the ceremony began. In his homily, Archbishop Mansell spoke of the three movements of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major as analogous to our search for God and our growth in relationship with God. He commended Mother Shaun on her 50 years of witnessing to consecrated life as a sign of hope and ever-deepening relationship with God through the concreteness of Franciscan spirituality.
A celebratory luncheon for 400 guests was held at the Hawthorne Inn, Berlin, following the Mass.
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Community
celebrates Mother General's 50th jubilee of vows
Following
the homily, Mother Shaun renewed her vows into the hands of Mother
Rosemae Pender, Mother Foundress, and Mother Miriam Seiferman, Vicar
General. Mother Shaun's stepfather, her three brothers, their wives
and families participated in the liturgy. The offertory procession
included items significant to the Vergauwen family heritage and to
Mother Shaun's life as the Co-foundress and Mother General of the Franciscan
Sisters of the Eucharist. 
