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October 16, 2019

Sister Melinda Pellerin makes final vows as a Sister of St. Joseph

REGIONAL
Staff report

Sister Melinda Pellerin speaks before making her final vows during a special liturgy Oct. 13 at Holy Name Church in Springfield. (iObserve photo/courtesy of Sisters of St. Joseph)

 

SPRINGFIELD – Sister of St. Joseph Melinda Pellerin said she’s known since the age of 7 that this day would come.

“Sister Richard Agnes was my first grade teacher at Holy Family School. She wore a full habit, and I went home every day after school and announced to my whole family that I was going to be a Sister of Saint Joseph because they were kind, loving sisters who served and I wanted to do the same,” she said.

More than 50 years later, on Sunday, Oct. 13, friends, neighbors, family, colleagues, advisors, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield celebrated a joyful culmination of that calling, as Sister Pellerin made her final vows during an afternoon liturgy at Holy Name Church in Springfield. She is the first African American sister in the congregation’s history. 

The main celebrant of the Mass was Sister Pellerin’s spiritual guide and friend, Father Warren J. Savage, director and Catholic Chaplin at the Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center at Westfield State University. Concelebrants were Msgr. David Joyce; and Father David E. Aufiero, pastor of Holy Name Parish.

Music was provided by the Boston Catholic Gospel Choir, under the direction of Meyer Chambers and coordination of Ruth Villard. Rachel Watson was the soloist.

Father Savage assigned the Gospel of John, Chapter 4:5-42 when Sister Pellerin began her journey toward religious life with the Sisters of St. Joseph, telling her she would reflect on the passage for the rest of her life. That Gospel tells the story of Jesus’ midday encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, whose differences and past made her stand out.

“The woman, like myself, came to the well with apprehension because she was so different from the other women and did not want to get caught up in the other women’s gossip, talking about her because she was different. Her transformation story is my transformation story,” said Sister Pellerin. “I came to religious life at the ‘midday’ of my life, entering with many life experiences that were different from my sisters in the congregation. The message for me in this Gospel is to allow one’s self to be drawn into the experience God offers.”

In his homily, Father Savage said Sister Pellerin has been called to “keep the Gospel alive.” He encouraged her to “preach the word and become a prophetic voice against all that is wrong. Be the gift, a child of God.”

Sister Pellerin made her formal religious profession after the homily, called forth by Sister Joan Ryzewicz, president of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield.

“Melinda has developed her spiritual life over many years, growing in the spirit of our congregation and life as our sister. Today we celebrate her gifts, spirit, and commitment to the dear neighbor,” said Sister Ryzewicz.

Sister Maureen Broughan, Sister Pellerin’s mentor since her novitiate, presented her with the congregational ring, which is a symbol of her commitment. Sister Terri Croteau participated as Sister Pellerin formally signed her vows. The Liturgy of the Eucharist followed.

After Mass, a reception was held in the Holy Name Parish Social Center.

Born and raised in Springfield, Sister Pellerin is the oldest child of Mary Margaret (Melancon) and the late Robert Pellerin Jr., natives of Broussard, La. She has two brothers, Donald and David, and sister, Karen.   

Sister Pellerin was baptized at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield and attended the former Holy Family Parish and School, and the former Notre Dame High School, all in Springfield. She earned a degree in history and secondary education at Annhurst College in Woodstock, Conn., and a master’s degree in educational technology from Lesley College.

A retired public school teacher, Sister Pellerin taught in Massachusetts at the middle and high school levels. She taught the International Baccalaureate Program at Springfield’s High School of Commerce and criminal justice at the Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy. She also coached a mock trial team that was the first inner city team to go all the way to finals in Boston, and in 2004 she was the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year.

While completing her novitiate, Sister Pellerin’s ministries included a sober living house on the west side of Chicago, where she started a sewing program, tutored, and walked with women in recovery. When she returned to Springfield, she volunteered and directed Homework House.

In her pastoral ministry at Holy Name Parish, she visits the sick, holds Bible study at an independent senior living residence, and is a chaplain at the women’s correctional facility in Chicopee, working one-on-one with people in recovery.

Presently, she is working on obtaining a certificate in addiction counseling from Westfield State University.

Sister Pellerin said she knows her calling is a lifelong work in progress, and she hopes to “not just preach, but practice the Sisters of St. Joseph charism. I see the face of Jesus in the dear neighbor, and that brings me closer in union to God.” 

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