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Seven Sisters of Life professed their first vows June 25, the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern. Bishop Salvatore Matano of the Diocese of Rochester served as principal celebrant and homilist. The seven sisters are:
Sister Anne Marie Elizabeth, S.V., 33, holds a bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and accounting and global perspectives and a master’s in accounting, both from Bentley University in Waltham, Mass. Before entering the Sisters of LIfe, she worked for the GIVEN Institute, the national March for Life, and as a CPA at a public accounting firm in Boston. She is the daughter of Mark and Mary Beth Warner, and the oldest of five siblings.
Sister Zion Joy, S.V., 29, is a graduate of the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma, with a degree in contemporary vocal performance. Before entering the Sisters of Life, she served as a Catholic singer/songwriter and a missionary through Catholic Youth Expeditions, Catholic Familyland and the Community of the Beatitudes Missions. She is the daughter of Jeff and Kathryn Finnell, and was raised the second of four siblings.
Sister Mary Hostia Josephine, S.V., 29, is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Before entering the Sisters of Life, she taught high school biology, zoology and advanced placement research for three years at Atlantic Coast High School and worked at a pregnancy resource center for a year, both in Jacksonville, Fla. She is the daughter of Tom and Lisa Monk of Seminole, Fla., and has a younger brother.
Sister Caeli Gloriae, S.V., 28, is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. Before entering the Sisters of Life, she was a FOCUS missionary for three years: two years at the University of South Alabama and one year at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of Keith and Lorraine Back, and has a twin sister.
Sister Lilia Consolata, S.V., 26, is a graduate of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. Before entering the Sisters of Life, she worked as a physical therapist’s assistant in a clinic setting, in summer programs with the Toronto Office of Catholic Youth, and as a freelance artist. She is the daughter of David and Lorena D’Arsie, and has a younger brother.
Sister Isabel Fiat Karolina, S.V., 25, is a graduate of Boston College with degrees in elementary education, applied psychology and human development. Before entering the Sisters of Life, she taught fifth grade at a public school in Rockville, Md. She is the daughter of Luigi and Suzanne Tanzi, and was raised the fourth of five children.
Sister Miriam Bethel, S.V., 24, is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. Before entering the Sisters of Life, she completed an internship on a sustainable agriculture research farm and traveled throughout Spain and Ecuador volunteering and developing her Spanish. She also worked at a Catholic summer camp, Camp Tekakwitha, in Kansas. She is the daughter of Darcy and Anne Heitmann, and has an older brother.
