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The year 2024 has been pivotal for the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus “Ad Gentes” (MAG), who serve in the Five Rivers and Chattanooga deaneries, as the religious order has commemorated its 75th anniversary.

After a yearlong celebration of their Golden Jubilee, the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., concluded their festivities with a special gathering at their Knoxville-based convent on Aug. 30.

During their General Chapter on June 18, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation elected Mother Anna Grace Neenan, OP, as the prioress general of the congregation to lead the religious community for a second six-year term from 2024 through 2030.

It was a day of both mercy and joy on Dec. 15 when Las Misioneras del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus “Ad Gentes” (The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus “Ad Gentes”) began their 75th jubilee year with a Mass and opening of a Holy Door at their convent in Jonesborough.

On the darkest night of the year, the winter solstice, the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was aglow with candlelight. A Rorate Mass in honor of Our Lady for the religious communities of the Diocese of Knoxville was held on Dec. 21, with the public invited to attend.

On Nov. 5, Sister Elizabeth Wanyoike of the Missionary Congregation of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary traveled to Kenya as a delegate for the Seventh General Chapter of her congregation.

The Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., have entered into a jubilee year of celebration. Sept. 1 marked the 50th anniversary of the religious order’s founding, which occurred in 1973.

Ordained in 2007 with the Diocese of Knoxville’s first deacon class, Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey is assigned to St. John XXIII Catholic Center and Immaculate Conception Parish, which are both staffed by the Paulist Fathers within the diocese. And, more recently, the deacon has been trained to become a deacon affiliate with the Paulist Fathers.

The St. Mary’s Hospital community bid a formal farewell to the Sisters of Mercy at an appreciation reception for them Dec. 16, only 12 days before the 88-year-old North Knoxville medical center closed its doors for good.

Women and men religious serving in the Diocese of Knoxville, who were recognized Feb. 4 at a Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Stika, filled the front pews of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Lenoir City.

The Evangelizing Sisters of Mary share their African-influenced ministry with East Tennessee