Columban Sisters gather for a group photo with the Centenary Celebration cake during the special observance at St. Columban’s on the Lake Retirement Home on Sept. 29. From left are Sisters Amy Baybay, Patricia Quigley, Grace DeLeon, Carmen Maldonado, Betty Monaghan, Corona Colleary, Pat Zandrews and Rose Dineen.

SILVER CREEK — On Sunday, Sept. 29, the Columban Sisters at St. Columban’s on the Lake Retirement Home commemorated their congregation’s centenary anniversary with a special Mass celebrated by The Most Rev. Michael W. Fisher, Bishop of Buffalo, followed by a luncheon reception.

The local observance was one of many commemorative events taking place this year as Missionary Sisters of St. Columban around the world celebrate their 100-year mission journey, which began on Sept. 29, 1924 when seven young women made their first profession of vows and the congregation was officially incorporated into the Church.

Since the beginning of their mission journey, the Columban Sisters have served as spiritual advisors, human rights advocates, teachers, nurses and social workers in their homelands and in lands far from home. Today they serve the poor, the sick, the elderly and all marginalized people in their worldwide missions in China, England, Ireland, Korea, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines and the United States.

Locally, the Sisters have been part of the Silver Creek community since their arrival in 1930 when they collaborated with the Columban Fathers in the operation of what was then St. Columban’s Preparatory Seminary at the current site. In the late 1960s, the Fathers gifted the property to the Sisters who converted the seminary building into St. Columban’s on the Lake Retirement Home which opened in May 1970.

Since then, the retirement home has served the elderly of the community and their families while playing a significant role in fundraising and ongoing support of the Columban Sisters worldwide missions.

Reflecting on the Columban Sisters century-long mission journey, Sister Corona Colleary, who has served as the retirement home’s administrator since its opening 54 years ago remarks, “We celebrate this special year with deep gratitude for our many blessings, for all those who have accompanied us during this century of service, and for all those who will be with us as our journey continues.”