Sister Cecilia Sullivan, Order of St. Benedict, celebrated her Golden Jubilee on Oct. 12.

"I have had the opportunity to minister to all people, children through elderly," she said of her 50 years in the monastic profession.

Born in Sharon, Sister Cecilia earned a bachelor's degree from Mercyhurst College in Erie; and library certification from St. Francis University in Loretto, Pa.

Her ministry assignments have taken her from Alaska to Mexico, as well as through the Diocese of Erie.

Though currently the building supervisor and data input coordinator at St. Benedict Education Center in Erie, most of her ministries have been in the area of elementary education.

"In elementary schools I love preparing young children for the sacraments," she said.

A teacher at the former Sacred Heart School in Sharon, Sister Cecilia also taught in St. Gregory School in North East; St. Mary and Mount Calvary schools, both Erie; St. Joseph School in Oil City; Immaculate Conception School in Clarion; and St. Michael School in Fryburg.

Sister Cecilia taught for five years in Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, and has made several visits to the Erie Diocesan Mission of Friendship in Merida, Mexico.

"In my five years of teaching in Alaska and even the brief visits I've made to Mexico, I've had the chance to extend our Benedictine spirituality far beyond the borders of the Erie Diocese," she said.

Sister Cecilia spent eight years on the nursing home staff of John XXIII Home, Hermitage.

"When I worked at John XXIII Home, I grew to understand and accept the journey of life we all will face," she said. "Today at St. Benedict Education Center, I work among those most in need and am able to extend our Benedictine commitment to the poor directly."