One Sister of Life professed final vows and five professed first vows at a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Dolan at St. John the Evangelist Church in Stamford, Conn., Aug. 6.

Sister Mary Louise Concepta, S.V., professed final vows.

The five sisters who made their first vows are: Sisters Virginia Joy, S.V., Cecilia Rose, S.V., Faustina Maria Pia, S.V., Mariana Benedicta, S.V., and Avila Marie, S.V. They entered the Sisters of Life in 2009.

Sister Mary Louise Concepta, S.V., 36, was born in Farmington, Maine. She earned a nursing degree from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. Before entering the Sisters of Life in 2003 she worked as a nurse in Boston. Her assignments have included serving as director of the Respect Life Office for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn. One of eight children, she entered the Sisters of Life four years before her sister, Sister Mariae Agnus Dei, S.V. On Aug. 22, Sister Mary Louise Concepta was to begin serving at the sisters’ retreat mission at Villa Maria Guadalupe in Stamford, Conn.

Sister Virginia Joy, S.V., 31, was raised in Greenville, S.C. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Franciscan University. Before entering the Sisters of Life, she worked at Trinity Teen Solutions, a Catholic ranch for troubled teens and as a guidance counselor and soccer coach at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Greenville. Sister Virginia Joy is now assisting the director of vocations at St. Frances de Chantal Convent in the Bronx.

Sister Cecilia Rose, S.V., 31, was born in Chico, Calif. She earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from the University of Portland. Before entering the Sisters of Life, she worked with the National Evangelization Team (NET) ministries in Minnesota for five years. Sister Cecilia Rose is now serving at Holy Respite Mission at Sacred Heart Convent in Manhattan.

Sister Faustina Maria Pia, S.V., 28, was raised in Somers, Conn. She earned a bachelor’s degree in human services from Franciscan University and a nursing degree from Springfield Technical College in Massachusetts. Among her seven siblings are a twin sister, Gertrud, and another sister who entered a religious order, Sister, Mareja, M.C., a Missionary of Charity serving in Benin. Sister Faustina Maria Pia is now assisting the director of postulants at St. Frances de Chantal Convent in the Bronx.

Sister Mariana Benedicta, S.V., 27, was raised in Los Alamos, N.M. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. Before entering the Sisters of Life, she served as a FOCUS missionary (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) at the University of Vermont and at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md. Sister Mariana Benedicta is now serving at the sisters’ generalate at Annunciation, the new motherhouse in Montebello.

Sister Avila Marie, S.V., 26, was raised in Rockford, Ill. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and education from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life she taught high school for a year. Sister Avila Marie is now serving at Holy Respite Mission at Sacred Heart Convent in Manhattan.