In perhaps a once-in-a-50-to-100-year event, Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown His Excellency Alfred A. Schlert presided at the 10:30 a.m. Mass Oct. 27 at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Coplay to celebrate the rededication of the parish convent.

The convent, located on the church grounds, returned to active status, with three nuns moving in and taking up residence in the recently renovated facility on South Fifth Street.

Enter Sisters Veronica, Dorothy and Harriet of the Missionary Congregation of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary (MCESM). Veronica is from Kenya, Dorothy hails from Tanzania, and Harriet is from Uganda. All are from what is considered East Africa, the home base of the MCESM, and all three have an interesting background of varied experiences in helping others and advanced education.

During the Mass, the Sisters were welcomed by Schlert, who expressed gratitude they finally made it to the borough. Several more MCESM Sisters from Tennessee and New York also attended the event. The MCESM Sisters all sang a beautiful song in a native African language during the Mass.

MCESM Mother Superior Sister Elizabeth spoke about how grateful the Sisters are about being in the Allentown Diocese. She noted how welcoming the parishioners have been toward them and all those who worked to prepare the convent for their arrival.

They particularly thanked Vicar General of the Diocese of Allentown and St. Peter Pastor the Rev. Monsignor David L. James for embracing the mission to have the three Sisters relocate to Coplay.

James led the effort to have nuns return to the empty convent. Despite many parishes selling their convents, James saw the value of reopening the convent and appeared delighted at the success of having nuns return to the parish.

James spearheaded the effort to renovate and update the convent and navigated the process of relocating the nuns to the United States. The church Altar and Rosary Society led the work to properly supply the needs of the new nuns, including furniture and household items.

When the convent renovations were complete, it reportedly had a comfortable, serene ambience with many interesting religious items and pictures hung on the walls. The chapel in the convent was renovated and has a simple, yet elegant style.

The convent was built and dedicated by St. Peter Pastor Father John F. Wiesler June 28, 1953. The convent had nuns residing there until the departure of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart in 1993. The convent was used for educational purposes, and in time, it became the Christ the King/St. Peter Pre-School Center. Later, it was the heritage center for the parish. It has not been a convent with nuns in residence for about 30 years.

After the Mass, there was a procession from the church to the convent for the dedication. A number of attendees from the Mass joined the procession and watched the dedication. Older parishioners who know the history of the convent were excited having nuns return to the church.

Schlert and James, along with other priests, deacons and nuns, entered the convent for the dedication. There was goodwill, joy and many smiles on the faces of these devout, dedicated members at the gathering.

After the ceremony, there was a lunch in the church social hall for all who attended Mass that special morning.

Attendees, dignitaries and the nuns socialized during lunch, promoting the palpable bond growing between the nuns and parishioners.