The Diocese of Orlando honors its jubilarians every year. They believe in celebrating these special milestones.
Religious Milestone
According to a report with The Florida Catholic, Sister Maureen Cannon is a Dominican Sister of Peace. This year, she celebrates her 70th anniversary in the religious organization.
The Dominican Sisters of Peace website said the order was established on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009. Its goal was to preach the Gospel with a new fire.
Seeking Vocation
She entered the order only two years after she graduated from high school. Sister Maureen admitted that at the time, she was not sure if she belonged.
As someone young, Sister Maureen was not sure if it was her calling to be in religious life.
She explained that all she wanted was to live a life of holiness. Sister Maureen believed that she could achieve that by joining the Dominican Sisters, who seemed to always be joyful.
Sister Maureen pointed out that she did not hear God's call and that it was not easy being part of the religious organization.
She felt very much like "a bull in a China shop." She explained that she was not used to living such a structured lifestyle.
Sister Maureen shared that she would often challenge authority figures and was hard to get along with.
What did impress her were her fellow sisters. She said that she admired the ideals of the Dominican Order.
She struggled with her decision until she decided to take her vows.
Sister Maureen told the news outlet that it was during that day that she had the resolve to pronounce her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
She called it a wonderful realization and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
Call to Service
Sister Maureen would serve retreat houses in New York, Ohio, and Mexico for the next 15 years. She experienced the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War during her lifetime.
She also said that she saw the major changes done during The Second Vatican Council.
Sister Maureen explained that they now had the option to work in ministry and apply for jobs.
She added that they adjusted to these changes and reinvented themselves.
They managed to preserve the essentials of prayer life and service, vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
She has called Melbourne her home for more than nine years to date. Sister Maureen worships with the Ascension Parish community.
Sister Maureen looks forward to preparing for her Scripture class. She explained that this brings her back to her Dominican roots.
She told the news outlet that she pronounced her vows as a Dominican Sister 65 years ago. Looking back, Sister Maureen admitted that it was an enormous leap of faith on her part.
Sister Maureen called it a blessing it is to have been 'claimed' by God.
"My heart overflows with gratitude," Sister Cannon told the news outlet. "Never did I dream it would be so challenging, so heartbreaking, so joyful, and such an adventure. The only thing I can say is, 'Thank you.’”
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